Role of dopaminergic system in opioid-induced cardiovascular responses in dogs.

A study was carried out to determine the involvement of dopaminergic system in opioid-induced cardiovascular responses in the dogs. The study population consisted of 32 mongrel dogs of either sexes. The results show that morphine given in small dose (2 mg/kg I.V.) causes significant fall in blood pressure. The results also show that there is involvement of dopaminergic system in opioid-induced vasomotor responses in dogs. Partial blockade of the parenterally induced hypotensive response of morphine by haloperidol given centrally induced hypotensive responses of morphine by haloperidol given centrally in doses, which are too low to be effective by the peripheral route, strongly favours the involvement of central dopaminergic system in the morphine-induced hypotensive responses. The results also show that the hypotensive response of morphine was almost completely blocked after naloxone pretreatment by central route.