Role of opioid receptors in the spinal antinociceptive effects of neuropeptide FF analogues

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Abstract
Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) has been shown to produce antinociceptive effects and enhance morphine‐induced antinociception after intrathecal (i.t.) injection. In this study, the spinal effects of two NPFF analogues, [D‐Tyr1, (NMe)Phe3]NPFF (1DMe) and [D‐Tyr1, D‐Leu2, D‐Phe3]NPFF (3D), which are resistant to degradation and exhibit a high affinity for NPFF binding sites, were examined in tests of thermal and mechanical nociception. 1DMe and 3D produced potent dose‐dependent spinal antinociception in the tail‐flick test. On a molar basis, 1DMe was 20 and 50 times more potent than 3D and morphine, respectively, and high doses of 1DMe and 3D produced a sustained antinociceptive effect without visible signs of motor impairment. Spinal antinociceptive effects produced by 1DMe (0.86 nmol) or 3D (8.6 nmol) were significantly reduced by i.t. co‐administration of naloxone (11 nmol) or i.t. pre‐administration of D‐Phe‐Cys‐Tyr‐D‐Trp‐Orn‐Thr‐Pen‐Thr‐NH2 (CTOP, 9.25 nmol) or β‐funaltrexamine (β‐FNA, 2 nmol) or naltrindole (2.2 nmol). The doses of the μ‐antagonists (CTOP and β‐FNA) or the δ‐antagonist (naltrindole) used in 1DMe and 3D experiments blocked the antinociceptive effects of μ‐or δ‐receptor‐selective agonists. When administered in combination with antinociceptive doses of the μ‐receptor agonist, morphine (13.2 nmol) or the δ‐receptor agonist, [D‐Ala2]deltorphin I (20 nmol), sub‐effective dose of 1DMe or 3D (0.009 nmol) enhanced and prolonged the spinal effects of these opioid agonists. The results of this study show that spinal μ‐and δ‐opioid receptors play a role in antinociception produced by NPFF analogues. These results also suggest a role for NPFF in modulation of nociceptive signals at the spinal level.