Selective cardiorespiratory effects mediated by mu opioid receptors in the nucleus ambiguus

The respiratory and cardiovascular effects of the highly selective mu opioid agonist, D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly- ol5 enkephalin ( DAGO ) and the relatively selective delta agonist, D-Leu5 enkephalin (DADL) were compared following injection (0.1 microliter) into the nucleus ambiguus (NA) of spontaneously-breathing and artificially-respired, pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. In non-ventilated animals, the opioids elicited dose-related (3 X 10(-11) -3 X 10(-9) M), naloxone-reversible depression of respiratory rate (RR) without altering the tidal volume. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was unchanged at small doses and decreased at the largest dose; heart rate (HR) was unchanged. In artificially-respired animals, both peptides elicited dose-related, naloxone-reversible increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate; DAGO was significantly more potent than DADL (P less than 0.01). Given the relative potency and selectivity of the opioids tested, these findings are consistent with the conclusion that mu receptors may selectively mediate the respiratory and cardiovascular actions of opioids in an important brain stem cardiorespiratory center in the rat. Moreover, these data indicate the importance of respiratory effects on the cardiovascular activity of centrally administered opioids.