Abstract
While opioids produce both analgesia and side effects by action at μ-opioid receptors (MORs), at spinal and supraspinal sites, the potency of different opioids to produce these effects varies. While it has been suggested that these differences might be because of bias for signaling via β-arrestin versus G-protein α-subunits (Gα), recent studies suggest that G-protein-biased MOR agonists still produce clinically important side effects. Since bias also exists in the role of Gα subunits, we evaluated the role of Gα(i/o) subunits in analgesia, hyperalgesia, and hyperalgesic priming produced by fentanyl and morphine, in male rats. We found that intrathecal treatment with oligodeoxynucleotides antisense (AS-ODN) for Gα(i)2, Gα(i)3, and Gα(o) markedly attenuated hyperalgesia induced by subanalgesic dose (sub-AD) fentanyl, while AS-ODN for Gα(i)1, as well as Gα(i)2 and Gα(i)3, but not Gα(o), prevented hyperalgesia induced by sub-AD morphine. AS-ODN for Gα(i)1 and Gα(i)2 unexpectedly enhanced analgesia induced by analgesic dose (AD) fentanyl, while Gα(i)1 AS-ODN markedly reduced AD morphine analgesia. Hyperalgesic priming, assessed by prolongation of prostaglandin E(2)-induced hyperalgesia, was not produced by systemic sub-AD and AD fentanyl in Gα(i)3 and Gα(o) AS-ODN-treated rats, respectively. In contrast, none of the Gα(i/o) AS-ODNs tested affected priming induced by systemic sub-AD and AD morphine. We conclude that signaling by different Gα(i/o) subunits is necessary for the analgesia and side effects of two of the most clinically used opioid analgesics. The design of opioid analgesics that demonstrate selectivity for individual Gα(i/o) may produce a more limited range of side effects and enhanced analgesia.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Biased μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists that preferentially signal through G-protein α-subunits over β-arrestins have been developed as an approach to mitigate opioid side effects. However, we recently demonstrated that biased MOR agonists also produce hyperalgesia and priming. We show that oligodeoxynucleotide antisense to different Gα(i/o) subunits play a role in hyperalgesia and analgesia induced by subanalgesic and analgesic dose (respectively), of fentanyl and morphine, as well as in priming. Our findings have the potential to advance our understanding of the mechanisms involved in adverse effects of opioid analgesics that could assist in the development of novel analgesics, preferentially targeting specific G-protein α-subunits.