[Effect of opiates on Ca2+ transport in synaptosomes]

Potassium-stimulated uptake of Ca2+ by nerve-ending fractions from rat brain (synaptosomes) is inhibited by morphine and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin. This effect develops significantly within 1 minute. The opiates do not affect the Ca2+ efflux from the synaptosomes. Naloxone, the opiate antagonist, does not reverse the effect of morphine on synaptosomal Ca2+ uptake, and in this respect itself acts similarly to morphine).