Opioid receptors and acetaminophen (paracetamol)

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Oct 25;503(1-3):209-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.08.055.

Abstract

We report that the acetaminophen (paracetamol)-induced spinal (intrathecal, i.t.)/supraspinal (intracerebroventricular, i.c.v.) site/site antinociceptive 'self-synergy' in mice is attenuated by the opioid receptor subtype selective antagonists beta-funaltrexamine hydrochloride (beta-FNA; mu), naltrindole (delta), and nor-binaltorphine hydrochloride (nor-BNI; kappa). These findings further implicate endogenous opioids (viz., endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins) and their pathways as contributors to the central antinociceptive action of acetaminophen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / administration & dosage
  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Dynorphins / physiology
  • Endorphins / physiology
  • Enkephalins / physiology
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Naltrexone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Naltrexone / pharmacology
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Opioid / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Endorphins
  • Enkephalins
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Acetaminophen
  • norbinaltorphimine
  • Naltrexone
  • beta-funaltrexamine
  • Dynorphins
  • naltrindole