Lack of renal tubular and hemodynamic effects of non-selective and delta-opioid receptor antagonism.

The renal pharmacological actions of the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone and the selective delta (delta)-opioid receptor antagonist ICI 154,129 were examined in conscious dogs. Neither naloxone nor ICI 154,129 altered glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, blood pressure, heart rate, or renal excretion of water, Na+, K+, or Cl-. In addition, urine and plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations and hematocrit were unchanged, suggesting that neither agent produced physiologically significant alteration in plasma vasopressin levels. These data suggest that (a) naloxone and ICI 154,129 exert no renal pharmacological effects in dogs and (b) under resting physiological conditions, delta-opioid receptors, as well as other opioid receptor subtypes, probably are not involved in the tonic regulation of renal hemodynamics or tubular function.