The participation of central and peripheral κ-opioid receptors in the mechanism of the antiarrhythmic effect of benzeneacetamide derivatives

When injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 8 mg/kg, U-62066, the selective agonist of κ-opioid receptors, exhibits antiarrhythmic properties in epinephrine-induced arrhythmias in rats. In cerebroventricular injection, the κ-agonists U-50,488 and [D-ala²]-dynorphin A(1-13) manifest proarrhythmic properties. Preliminary administration of the κ-antagonist nor-binaltorphimine completely removes the proarrhythmic and antiarrhythmic effect of κ-agonists. The antiarrhythmic effect of U-62006 is believed to be associated with activation of peripheral κ-receptors.