Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

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The actions of morphine on microglia and the underlying effects on associated adverse effects

Weihua Wu1, Qian Li2, Fei Yang3

  • 1School of Criminal Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, 100038, Beijing, China.

Psychopharmacology
|November 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Morphine

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Opioid agonists like morphine are effective analgesics but have significant side effects.
  • Morphine misuse leads to substantial mortality.
  • Understanding morphine's adverse effects is crucial for developing safer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review morphine's regulatory effects on microglia.
  • To explore the role of microglial opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR) and TLR4 in morphine's actions.
  • To discuss strategies for mitigating morphine-induced side effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on morphine's impact on microglial activation.
  • Analysis of studies investigating microglial receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR, TLR4).
  • Examination of research on modulating microglial states and endogenous opioid secretion.

Main Results:

  • Morphine modulates microglial states via MOR, DOR, KOR, and TLR4 activation.
  • Microglia influence neuronal function and morphine-related side effects.
  • Modulating microglial activity and endogenous opioids shows potential for reducing adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia play a key role in mediating morphine's pharmacological effects and side effects.
  • Targeting microglial pathways offers a promising therapeutic avenue for managing opioid-induced adverse events.
  • Further research into glial cell interactions can enhance opioid therapy safety.
Keywords:
MicrogliaMorphineNeuroinflammationOpioid receptorsSide effectsTLR4

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