Effects of U50,488H on locomotor activity in the hamster.

Two experiments investigated the effects of the specific kappa opiate agonist, U50,488 on locomotor activity in the golden Syrian hamster. In Experiment 1, the effects of U50,488 were found to be dose-related, with a 1 mg/kg dose eliciting hyperactivity and a 10 mg/kg dose eliciting hypoactivity. In Experiment 2, the dual effects of U50,488 on locomotor activity were shown to be naloxone (1 mg/kg) reversible. It is suggested that the effects of U50,488 on activity are consistent with the reported dual opposing influences of kappa agonists in the substantia nigra pars compacta and pars reticulata.