Effects of morphine on K+ currents in caudate nucleus of neonatal rat / 中国应用生理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>AIM</b>The effects of morphine on the potassium ionic currents of caudate nucleus neurons of neonatal rat were studied.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using of whole cell voltage clamp technique on caudate nucleus neurons, applied morphine chronically or acutely on it. In order to research the effects of morphine for voltage-gated of potassium ionic currents.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The amplitude of potassium ionic currents are increased by applied morphine acutely in caudate nucleus from (2.6 +/- 0.4) nA to (3.3 +/- 0.5) Na, naloxone can block the effect of morphine on K+ current and the currents are decreased to (2.4 +/- 0.4) nA. If applied morphine in caudate nucleus chronically, the amplitude of potassium ionic currents are increased from (2.6 +/- 0.4) nA to (3.1 +/- 0. 5) nA. After applied naloxone, the currents are decreased to (2.4 +/- 0.4) nA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effects of morphine increased potassium ionic currents by micro-opioid receptor mediated and induced the hyper polarization of neurons, leading to inhibition of neural activity.</p>