Elsevier

Life Sciences

Volume 33, Issue 8, 22 August 1983, Pages 789-795
Life Sciences

Intrathecal serotonin in mice: Analgesia and inhibition of a spinal action of substance P

https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(83)90785-3Get rights and content

Abstract

Serotonin, administered intrathecally in mice, produced dose-related analgesia in the tail flick test and the subcutaneous hypertonic saline assay. Low doses (2.5–5 ng) of serotonin blocked the biting and scratching response elicited by intrathecal substance P. However, higher doses of serotonin itself elicited a behavioral syndrome characterized by scratching of the torso with the hindlimbs. Both the analgesic response and the scratching response due to serotonin were blocked by specific serotonin antagonists and the analgesia is likely mediated by a postsynaptic action on dorsal horn nociceptive neurons.

References (29)

  • H. Takagi et al.

    Jap. J. Pharmacol.

    (1955)
  • R.B. Messing et al.

    Pain

    (1977)
  • J.L. Henry

    Brain Res.

    (1976)
  • M. Randic et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1977)
  • J.L.K. Hylden et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1981)
  • M.F. Piercey et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1981)
  • A. Rackham et al.

    Neuropharmacology

    (1981)
  • J.L.K. Hylden et al.

    Eur. J. Pharmacol.

    (1980)
  • T.L. Yaksh

    Brain Res.

    (1979)
  • J.E. Davies et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1981)
  • L.M. Jordan et al.

    Pain

    (1978)
  • G.J. Giesler et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1981)
  • M.A. Ruda et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1980)
  • F.E. Bloom et al.
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text