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Cardiorespiratory and sleep-wake behavior in developing swine: kappa-opioid influence
I R Moss1, R E Faltus, J D Inman
1Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montréal Children's Hospital, Que, Canada.
Respiration Physiology
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Nor-binaltorphimine (NorBNI) did not affect sleep-wake state or breathing in developing piglets. This kappa-opioid antagonist only modestly impacted cardiovascular regulation in older piglets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The kappa-opioid system's role in cardiorespiratory and sleep-wake regulation during development is not fully understood.
- Nor-binaltorphimine (NorBNI) is a specific kappa-opioid antagonist used to investigate these systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effects of NorBNI on sleep-wake state, cardiorespiratory function, and respiratory muscle activity in developing piglets.
- To assess how these effects change with age and during hypoxic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Chronically instrumented, unanesthetized piglets (3-13 and 23-33 days old) received intravenous NorBNI.
- Sleep-wake state, blood pressure, heart rate, and diaphragmatic/posterior cricoarytenoid electromyography were monitored.
- Piglets were exposed to normoxia and hypoxia (10% O2).
Main Results:
- Sleep-wake distribution and cardiorespiratory functions showed maturation with age.
- NorBNI administration resulted in a modest increase in arterial pressure and heart rate in older piglets only.
- NorBNI did not alter sleep-wake state or respiratory activity in either age group.
Conclusions:
- The kappa-opioid system does not appear to influence breathing or sleep-wake state in developing piglets.
- Cardiovascular regulation is modestly modulated by the kappa-opioid system, with effects emerging later in development.
- The piglet model provides insights into the ontogeny of opioid system influence on physiological functions.