Opioid kappa receptors and the secretion of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) in the rat. I. Effects of opioid kappa receptor agonists bremazocine and U-50,488 on secretion of PRL and GH: comparison with morphine.

The effects of bremazocine and U-50,488, two selective opioid kappa receptor agonists, and the preferential mu receptor agonist morphine on the secretion of PRL and GH were compared in conscious male rats bearing permanent right atrial cannulae for serial blood sampling and drug delivery. All three opioids stimulated PRL secretion in a dose-related manner, but the kappa agonists differed from morphine in several respects. They were considerably more potent than morphine in triggering a PRL response, but were unable to elevate PRL levels to more than 100 ng/ml, whereas morphine, at the highest dose (4.5 mg/kg), induced an almost twice larger response. Also their PRL-releasing effect was inhibited more strongly by the preferential kappa receptor antagonist Mr-2266 than by naloxone, whereas Mr-2266 and naloxone, which are equipotent as antagonists of the mu receptors, were equipotent in suppressing the PRL-stimulating effect of morphine, a mu agonist. In a complete contrast to morphine, which effectively stimulated GH secretion, the kappa agonists had no effect on GH release at lower doses and suppressed it at higher doses. It is concluded that the PRL-releasing effect of the kappa agonists is mediated by the kappa receptors which may participate with the mu receptors in regulation of PRL secretion by opioids. The GH-inhibiting effect of the kappa agonists requires further clarification.