What is the target receptor of naloxone in reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression?

Naloxone is specifically designed to target the mu-opioid receptor, which is the primary receptor involved in the effects of most clinically used opioids, including their ability to cause respiratory depression. When opioids bind to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, they produce effects such as analgesia, euphoria, and significant respiratory depression.

By antagonizing the mu-opioid receptors, naloxone effectively reverses these life-threatening effects, particularly the respiratory depression that can occur due to opioid overdose. This means that naloxone displaces the opioid molecules from these receptors, restoring normal respiratory function.

While kappa-opioid and delta-opioid receptors also interact with opioid compounds, they do not play as prominent a role in the lethal respiratory depression associated with overdose. Similarly, sigma-opioid receptors are not directly involved in typical opioid overdose scenarios. Thus, the mu-opioid receptor is central to understanding the mechanism through which naloxone acts to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.