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Nalfurafine reverses fentanyl-induced muscle rigidity and respiratory depression without affecting sedation in rats: decoupling respiration from sedation

delete2025-05-01
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Haouzi, Philippe *
DOI:10.1152/japplphysiol.00952.2024delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
This study examines whether nalfurafine, a kappa-opioid receptor (kappa OR) agonist, reverses fentanyl-induced muscle rigidity and respiratory depression without impacting sedation. Adult, nonsedated Sprague-Dawley rats received intravenous fentanyl bolus injection (150 mu g/kg), which induced immediate coma and muscle rigidity along with a transient central apnea, followed by sustained respiratory depression. Five minutes postfentanyl, rats were treated with saline, nalfurafine (0.1 or 1 mg/kg), or the kappa OR agonist U50488 (1 or 10 mg/kg). Muscle rigidity, sedation, and response to painful stimuli were assessed using blinded clinical scoring. Ventilation and pulmonary gas exchange were measured using open-flow body plethysmography. Nalfurafine at 1 mg/kg quickly and effectively reduced fentanyl-induced muscle rigidity, with a sustained effect throughout the 30-min observation period. Sedation scores remained consistent across all groups. In contrast to saline, nalfurafine (1 mg/kg) sharply increased minute ventilation Ve, frequency (f), and tidal volume (Vt), which all plateaued at prefentanyl levels despite the animals remaining in a coma. Ve/Vo(2) and Ve/Vco(2) ratios also increased significantly compared with saline injection. U50488 at 1 mg/kg reversed muscle rigidity. Both nalfurafine (0.1 mg/kg) and U50488 at 1 mg/kg had a significantly weaker effect on ventilation than nalfurafine (1 mg/kg). At higher doses (10 mg/kg), U50488 after fentanyl was fatal. Nalfurafine is a promising therapeutic candidate able to reverse fentanyl-induced muscle rigidity and respiratory depression without affecting sedation or the response to painful stimuli, potentially improving the safety and efficacy of fentanyl in specific clinical settings. We could not, however, confirm that this effect was mediated via kappa OR.
Keywords:
fentanyl
muscle rigidity
nalfurafine
respiratory depression
sedation

Journal

Journal of Applied Physiology cover
Journal of Applied Physiology
IF:
3.3
Papers:
1.5W
Citations:
4.0W

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