Chronic Naltrexone Therapy Is Associated with Improved Cardiac Function in Volume Overloaded Rats

ConclusionOpioid receptor blockade by naltrexone leads to improved LV function and decreases in rBNP-45 and angiotensin-2 plasma levels. In parallel, naltrexone resulted in opioid receptor mRNA downregulation and an elevated intrinsic tone of endogenous opioid peptides possibly reflecting a potentially cardiodepressant effect of the cardiac opioid system during volume overload.
Source: Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research