Electrophysiological studies on the spinal effects of dermorphin, an endogenous mu-opioid agonist.

Sullivan AF, Dickenson AH

Brain research1 Sept 1988Cited by 7 (Europe PMC)

PMID2906269DOI10.1016/0006-8993(88)90738-xPepBankPUB-02906269

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Activity measurement
In rats, intrathecal dermorphin dose-dependently inhibited C fibre-evoked dorsal horn neuronal responses, with an ED50 of 0.11 micrograms.
In plain wordsIn rats, intrathecal dermorphin dose-dependently inhibited pain-related C fibre-evoked neuronal responses.
Peptide
Dermorphin
Outcome
DecreaseC fibre-evoked neuronal responses
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Dorsal horn nociceptive neurons
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intrathecalAs given in this study (rat).
Measurements
ED50
0.11 micrograms
C fibre-evoked response inhibition
Source sentences
Summary
The intrathecal administration of dermorphin, an endogenous heptopeptide first discovered in amphibia, produces dose-dependent selective inhibitions of C fibre-evoked responses in rat dorsal horn nociceptive neurones (ED50 0.11 micrograms).
Report a problemFND-0290626901
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Activity measurement
In rats, A beta-fibre-evoked activity remained relatively unaffected by dermorphin.
In plain wordsIn rats, dermorphin left A beta-fibre-evoked activity relatively unaffected.
Peptide
Dermorphin
Outcome
No significant changeA beta-fibre-evoked activity
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Dorsal horn nociceptive neurons
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intrathecalAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
A beta-fibre-evoked activity was relatively unaffected.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The intrathecal administration of dermorphin, an endogenous heptopeptide first discovered in amphibia, produces dose-dependent selective inhibitions of C fibre-evoked responses in rat dorsal horn nociceptive neurones (ED50 0.11 micrograms).
Report a problemFND-0290626904
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Activity measurement
In rats, dermorphin was approximately 40 times more potent than morphine in this spinal preparation.
In plain wordsIn rats, dermorphin was more potent than morphine in this spinal preparation.
Peptide
Dermorphin
Outcome
IncreaseRelative potency versus morphine
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Dorsal horn nociceptive neurons
Comparator
Morphine
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intrathecalAs given in this study (rat).
Measurements
Relative potency
≈ 40 times
Versus morphine
Source sentences
Summary
Thus dermorphin can profoundly inhibit nociceptive afferent input in the spinal cord, and in this preparation is more potent (approximately 40X) than morphine.
Report a problemFND-0290626905

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Dermorphin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Dermorphin.

04AnimalNot a test of Dermorphin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, naloxone antagonised dermorphin's spinal effects.
In plain wordsIn rats, naloxone antagonised dermorphin's spinal effects.
Peptide
Dermorphin
Outcome
Not applicableNaloxone antagonism
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Dorsal horn nociceptive neurons
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
Naloxone (10 micrograms) but not ICI 174,864 (125 micrograms) antagonised the effects of the peptide.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The intrathecal administration of dermorphin, an endogenous heptopeptide first discovered in amphibia, produces dose-dependent selective inhibitions of C fibre-evoked responses in rat dorsal horn nociceptive neurones (ED50 0.11 micrograms).
In this study, Dermorphin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Dermorphin.
Report a problemFND-0290626902
05AnimalNot a test of Dermorphin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, ICI 174,864 did not antagonise dermorphin's spinal effects.
In plain wordsIn rats, ICI 174,864 did not antagonise dermorphin's spinal effects.
Peptide
Dermorphin
Outcome
Not applicableICI 174,864 antagonism
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Dorsal horn nociceptive neurons
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
Naloxone (10 micrograms) but not ICI 174,864 (125 micrograms) antagonised the effects of the peptide.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The intrathecal administration of dermorphin, an endogenous heptopeptide first discovered in amphibia, produces dose-dependent selective inhibitions of C fibre-evoked responses in rat dorsal horn nociceptive neurones (ED50 0.11 micrograms).
In this study, Dermorphin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Dermorphin.
Report a problemFND-0290626903

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
27 Oct 2026, 18:20 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
27 Oct 2026, 16:32 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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