Abstract
Summary
The delay of passage of a charcoal meal through the mouse small intestine by morphine was antagonized by methyser-gide (UML), a potent inhibitor of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT). Treatment of mice 16 hours prior to use with 5.0 mg/kg reserpine failed to modify the intestinal response to morphine. The effects of atropine methyl-bromide (AMB) on morphine and 5-HT were similar; treatment with AMB enhanced the delay in intestinal transit produced by these agents. Treatment of mice with physostigmine failed to alter the intestinal effects of either 5-HT or morphine. The data are interpreted as adding support to the hypothesis that some of the actions of morphine on the mammalian small intestine may be mediated by 5-HT.
The authors are indebted to Mrs. Sharon Heintz for her excellent technical assistance.
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