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Effects of naloxone on upper airway collapsibility in normal sleeping subjects
J C Meurice1, I Marc, F Sériès
1Unité de Recherche, Centre de Pneumologie, Hôpital Laval, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada.
Background:
To evaluate the possible influence of endorphin release on upper airway collapsibility the effects of naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, were measured.
Methods:
The effects of naloxone on upper airway collapsibility were studied in five normal sleeping men in a pilot study. During a sleep fragmentation night the subjects received either naloxone or a volume matched saline placebo in a double blind crossover design. Critical pressure (Pcrit) was measured during a morning nap following sleep fragmentation.
Results:
The plasma levels of endorphins increased during sleep fragmentation nights. Pcrit was significantly greater after placebo than after naloxone infusion.
Conclusions:
Naloxone may reduce upper airway collapsibility in normal sleeping subjects following sleep fragmentation.