The inhibitory effect of fentanyl, nicomorphine and 6-nicotinoyl morphine on phrenic nerve activity in relation to their cardiovascular effects in the anaesthetized cat.

The inhibitory effects of the morphine-like drugs fentanyl, nicomorphine (3,6-dinicotinoyl morphine, Vilan) and its active metabolite 6-nicotinoyl morphine (6-NM) on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) were quantified. Therefore, the drugs were simultaneously infused into the left and right vertebral artery of anaesthetized cats. Previously we demonstrated that drugs, administered via these arteries, accumulate within the pontomedullary region, whereas only insignificant amounts reach higher brain areas and peripheral structures. The results were compared with the effects of i.v. administration. It is shown that fentanyl already inhibits PNA after 60 ng via the vertebral arteries. Nicomorphine and its metabolite have much less influence on respiration (factor 564 and 47, respectively). The difference in potency between nicomorphine and 6-NM was less after i.v. injection, indicating that nicomorphine needs metabolization in order to unfold full biological activity. Haemodynamic parameters are not affected after central administration even when PNA is almost completely depressed. After i.v. injection of relatively high doses, blood pressure falls, but probably not by an interaction with opiate receptors in the lower brain stem, since it could not be reversed by intravertebral naloxone.