Opiate receptor binding sites in human spinal cord.

Opiate receptor binding sites were analyzed in various regions of human spinal cord and compared to results obtained in spinal cord and brain of certain animals. mu-, delta- and kappa binding sites were individually monitored by the overall labeling of opiate binding sites with [3H]diprenorphine followed by the sequential elimination of binding to particular sites by the use of selective ligands. kappa-Receptors were the predominant type (approximately 50%), followed by mu-receptors (approximately 40%), and, in rather small amounts, delta-receptors. A similar proportion of receptor types was found in the spinal cord of guinea pigs.