Antihyperalgesic Effect of Buprenorphine Involves Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide–Receptor Activation in Rats With Spinal Nerve Injury–Induced Neuropathy

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of buprenorphine, a mixed agonist for μ-opioid receptors and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors, in neuropathic rats, using the paw pressure test. Buprenorphine, administered i.p. at 50, but not 20, μg/kg, exhibited naloxone-reversible analgesic activity in naïve rats. In contrast, buprenorphine at 0.5 – 20 μg/kg produced a naloxonesensitive antihyperalgesic effect in the L5 spinal nerve–injured neuropathic rats. Intrathecal injection of [N-Phe¹]nociceptin(1-13)NH₂, a NOP-receptor antagonist, reversed the effect of buprenorphine in neuropathic rats, but not in naïve rats. Together, buprenorphine suppresses neuropathic hyperalgesia by activating NOP and opioid receptors, suggesting its therapeutic usefulness in treatment of neuropathic pain.