Morphine-3-glucuronide explained

Morphine-3-glucuronide is a metabolite of morphine produced by UGT2B7.^[1] It is not active as an opioid agonist,^[2] but does have some action as a convulsant, which does not appear to be mediated through opioid receptors,^[3] but rather through interaction with glycine and/or GABA receptors. As a polar compound, it has a limited ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, but kidney failure may lead to its accumulation and result in seizures. Probenecid and inhibitors of P-glycoprotein can enhance uptake of morphine-3-glucuronide and, to a lesser extent, morphine-6-glucuronide.^[4] Reported side effects related to the accumulation of this metabolite include convulsions, agitation, hallucinations, hyperalgesia, and coma.

See also

• 3-Monoacetylmorphine, the inactive 3,- position blocked by esterization (and thus inactive) of a semi-synthetic prodrug to morphine marking the same activity profile as the drug of this article
• Buprenorphine-3-glucuronide
• Morphine-6-glucuronide
• Morphine-N-oxide

Notes and References

1. Coffman BL, Rios GR, King CD, Tephly TR . Human UGT2B7 catalyzes morphine glucuronidation . Drug Metab. Dispos. . 25 . 1 . 1–4 . 1 January 1997 . 9010622 .
2. Vindenes V, Ripel A, Handal M, Boix F, Mørland J . Interactions between morphine and the morphine-glucuronides measured by conditioned place preference and locomotor activity . Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior . 93 . 1 . 1–9 . July 2009 . 19351545 . 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.03.013 . 5328449 .
3. Hemstapat K, Le L, Edwards SR, Smith MT . Comparative studies of the neuro-excitatory behavioural effects of morphine-3-glucuronide and dynorphin a(2-17) following spinal and supraspinal routes of administration . Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior . 93. 4. 498–505. July 2009 . 19580825 . 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.06.016 . 207331030 .
4. Book: Bertram G. Katzung . Susan B. Masters . Anthony J. Trevor . Basic & Clinical Pharmacology . 11th.