Beta-endorphin fragments DTgammaE and DEgammaE reduced morphine inhibition of electrically-induced contractions and opiate withdrawal.

The effect exerted by two gamma-endorphin derivatives (DTgammaE and DEgammaE) was investigated on morphine-induced inhibition on the electrically induced contractions of guinea pig ileum in vitro. Morphine (1x10(-8)-5x10 (-8)-1x10 (-7) M) dose dependently and significantly reduced the E.C. of guinea pig ileum, IC50=6.5x10(-8) M (Confidence limits: 3.7x10 (-8)-9.1x10 (-8)). DTgammaE and DEgammaE per se (1x10 (-6)-5x10 (-6)-1x10 (-5) M) did not modify significantly the E.C. of guinea pig ileum. Furthermore, DTgammaE or DEgammaE injection 10-30-60 min before morphine, did not affect the inhibitory effect of morphine on the E.C. of guinea pig ileum. By contrast, ilea from guinea-pigs treated for 4 days with DTgammaE or DEgammaE (1 mg/Kg/i.p.) were less sensitive to the inhibitory effect of morphine, IC50=8.3x10 (-7) M (Confidence limits: 1.4x10(-6)-3.5x10(-7)) for DTgammaE and IC50=7.7x10(-7) M (Confidence limits: 2.7x10(-6)-8.7x10(-7 )) for DEgammaE . The effect exerted by two beta-endorphin fragments (DTgammaE and DEgammaE) was investigated on the acute opiate withdrawal induced by micro, kappa and delta receptor agonists in vitro. After a exposure in vitro for 4 min to morphine (less selective micro agonist), DAGO (highly selective micro agonist), U50-488H (highly selective kappa agonist) and beta-endorphin (selective micro- delta agonist), a strong contracture of isolated guinea pig ileum was observed after the addition of naloxone. This effect was also observed when isolated rabbit jejunum was pretreated with deltorphin (highly selective delta agonist). DTgammaE or DEgammaE injection before or after treatment with morphine, DAGO, U50-488H, beta-endorphin or deltorphin was able of both preventing and reversing the naloxone-induced contracture after exposure to the opioid agonists in a concentration-dependent fashion. Our results indicate that both DTgammaE or DEgammaE are able to reduce significantly opiate withdrawal in vitro, suggesting an important functional interaction beween beta-endorphin fragments and opioid withdrawal at both micro, kappa and delta receptor level. Our results indicate that chronic treatment of guinea pigs with DTgammaE or DEgammaE induces a significant reduction of the inhibitory effect of morphine on the E.C. of guinea-pig ileum thus confirming an important functional interaction between gamma-endorphin derivatives and opioid system.