Pertussis toxin blocks the action of morphine, norepinephrine and clonidine on isolated guinea-pig ileum.

Administration of pertussis toxin (60 micrograms/kg i.p.) to guinea-pigs blocked the ability of morphine, norepinephrine and clonidine to inhibit electrically stimulated contractions in the isolated ileum. The toxin reached its maximum effect 6 days after its administration. The effect of the toxin was reversible; a slow but full recovery of the response to morphine was observed in ilea from guinea-pigs treated with toxin 18 days before the experiment. It is suggested, based on the known action of pertussis toxin, that inhibition of adenylate cyclase through Ni (guanine-nucleotide regulatory protein) is involved in the acute action of morphine, norepinephrine and clonidine in the motoneurons of the myenteric plexus of the ileum.