Failure of reversal of cardiovascular responses of clonidine by centrally administered naloxone in anaesthetised rats.

ABSTRACT

Central effects of naloxone on the cardiovascular responses of centrally administered clonidine were studied in anaesthetised normotensive, renal DOCA-salt hypertensive and morphine dependent rats. Clonidine (5 micrograms/ICV) produced significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate in all the groups of rats in a dose dependent manner. Naloxone (2 micrograms/ICV) failed to reverse the responses of clonidine in all the rat groups. In morphine dependent normotensive and morphine dependent renal DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, the responses of clonidine were further enhanced in the presence of naloxone. Our observations clearly indicate that clonidine does not influence endogenous opioid system for producing cardiovascular effects.