Acute Tolerance to Continuously Infused Alfentanil: The Role of Cholecystokinin and N-Methyl-d-Aspartate-Nitric Oxide Systems

Abstract

The mechanism of acute tolerance to the analgesic effect of alfentanil depends on participation of multiple systems of adaptation that include cholecystokinin(B) receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-nitric oxide cascade. Drugs that inhibit function of these systems attenuate tolerance development.