Agmatine inhibits naloxone-induced contractions in morphine-dependent Guinea pig ileum.

This study investigates the effects of agmatine on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent guinea pig ileum. Male guinea pigs that were starved for 24 hours were decapitated after cervical dislocation, and terminal portions of the ilea were removed. Segments were fixed at a resting tension of 1 g in an organ bath containing 1 x 10(-6) M morphine in Tyrode solution at 37 degrees C, which was bubbled with 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2). Tissues were incubated in morphine containing Tyrode solution for 4 hours before agmatine was added. Naloxone and agmatine had no effect on naive ilea. Naloxone (1 x 10(-6) M) contracted morphine-dependent ilea. Agmatine significantly inhibited the contractile response to naloxone in a dose-dependent manner (1 x 10(-7) M, 44%; 1 x 10(-6) M, 80%; 1 x 10(-5) M, 95%). This effect of agmatine was partly abolished by pretreatment with yohimbine and was almost completely abolished by idazoxan.