The Differential Effect of Whole-body Irradiation on Morphine- and -Endorphin-Induced Antinociceptive Actions in Mice

Whole-body $\gamma$-irradiation(WBI), which produces an oxidative stress, is reported to attenuate the acute antinociceptive action of morphine (a $\mu$-opioid receptor agonist), but not DPLPE (a $\delta$-opioid receptor agonist), in mice. Recently, we also reported that antinociceptive effect of morphine, but not $\beta$-endorphin (a novel $\varepsilon$-opioid receptor agonist), was attenuated by oxidative stress. These findings prompted us to investigate the effect of WBI on the antinociception of morphine and $\beta$-endorphin in mice. Mice were exposed to WBI (5 Gy) from a $^{60}Co$ gamma-source and tested 2 hours later for antinociception produced by intracerebroventricular administration of morphine or $\beta$-endorphin using the hot water tail-immersion and the writhing tests. WBI significantly attenuated the antinociception produced by morphine only in the hot water tail-immersion test, whereas the antinociception of $\beta$-endorphin was significantly potentiated by WBI in both tests. These results demonstrate a differential sensitivity of $\mu$- and $\varepsilon$-opioid receptors to WBI, and support the hypothesis that morphine and $\beta$-endorphin administered supraspinally produce antinociception by different neuronal mechanisms.