An etorphine-evoked vagal reflex in rats is inhibited by naloxone, N-methylnaloxone, and SMS 201-995.

Intravenous injection of opiates in rats is known to produce a rapid fall in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory frequency. Etorphine, a potent opiate agonist which reaches central and peripheral receptors, administered at 1.1 nmol/kg i.v., evoked these characteristic effects in the urethane-anaesthetized rat. Three opiate antagonists, with somewhat different properties, have been used to assess the site of action of etorphine-induced bradycardia, hypotension, and inhibition of respiration. The antagonists used were naloxone hydrochloride, N-methylnaloxone bromide, and SMS 201-995. Low doses of naloxone blocked the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of etorphine. N-Methylnaloxone blocked the bradycardia, hypotension and the initial phase of apnea produced by etorphine but not the subsequent slowing of respiration. SMS 201-995 blocked the bradycardia and partially antagonized the hypotension and inhibition of respiratory rate produced by etorphine. These results indicate that N-methylnaloxone and SMS 201-995 can block the peripheral receptors which mediate opiate-induced bradycardia. Naloxone blocks both the central and peripheral actions of etorphine and so more completely antagonizes the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of etorphine.