The possible involvement of adrenoceptors in the intestinal effect of morphine in mice.

The inhibitory effect of morphine on intestine was observed by following the intestinal transit of a charcoal meal. This inhibitory effect of morphine was antagonized by naloxone. In addition, the inhibitory effect of morphine was also suppressed by prior administration of yohimbine and phentolamine. However, prazosin, a selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, had no effect on the inhibitory effect of morphine on intestinal transit. Furthermore, prior administration of propranolol did not alter this effect of morphine. These adrenoceptor antagonists by themselves, at the doses used, had no effect on the rate of intestinal transit of a charcoal meal in mice. These results suggest that alpha 2-adrenoceptors may be involved in the intestinal effect of morphine while alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors do not appear to play any significant role in this aspect of morphine action.