Opiate-mediated inhibition of the release of cholecystokinin and substance P, but not neurotensin from cat hypothalamic slices.

The neuroactive peptides neurotensin (NT), substance P (SP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) have been shown to be distributed in the hypothalamus. These peptides may be part of hypothalamic mechanisms which regulate the release of pituitary hormones and feeding behavior. Numerous experiments have demonstrated opiate modulation of anterior pituitary hormone release. These effects have been reported to be mediated via a hypothalamic mechanism, which modulates the secretion of releasing, release inhibiting factors or other neuroactive peptides such as SP, CCK and NT. We have examined the effects of morphine on the potassium-stimulated, calcium-dependent release of SP, CCK and NT from cat hypothalamic slices. The potassium-stimulated release of SP and CCK was profoundly depressed by the addition of morphine (10(-5) M) in a naloxone-reversible manner. This morphine inhibition was shown to be stereospecific, levorphanol (10(-7) M) depressed the release, while dextrophan (10(-7) M) was inactive. Gel filtration chromatography of the potassium-stimulated release was determined to be isographic with authentic NT, SP and CCK-8, respectively. There was no indication of any gastrin-like activity. These data may suggest a regulatory mechanism through which opiates exert some of their neuroendocrine or feeding regulatory effects.