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. 1996 Aug;51(8):851–852. doi: 10.1136/thx.51.8.851

Effects of naloxone on upper airway collapsibility in normal sleeping subjects.

J C Meurice 1, I Marc 1, F Sériès 1
PMCID: PMC472571  PMID: 8795677

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the possible influence of endorphin release on upper airway collapsibility the effects of naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, were measured. METHODS: The effects of naloxone on upper airway collapsibility were studied in five normal sleeping men in a pilot study. During a sleep fragmentation night the subjects received either naloxone or a volume matched saline placebo in a double blind crossover design. Critical pressure (Pcrit) was measured during a morning nap following sleep fragmentation. RESULTS: The plasma levels of endorphins increased during sleep fragmentation nights. Pcrit was significantly greater after placebo than after naloxone infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Naloxone may reduce upper airway collapsibility in normal sleeping subjects following sleep fragmentation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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