Serotoninergic mechanisms of beta-endorphin- and clonidine-induced analgesia in rats

Pharmacology. 1980;20(6):323-8. doi: 10.1159/000137388.

Abstract

Both beta-endorphin and clonidine proved to have statistically significant analgesic activity (increase in latency to hind-paw lick in hot plate test) in rats. Furthermore, the pain inhibition induced by beta-endorphin and clonidine could be antagonized by prior treatment of animals with either naloxone (a narcotic antagonist) or the depletors of central serotonin pathways such as 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine and p-chlorophenylalanine have not effect on latency to hind-paw lick. The data indicate that serotoninergic activity in the brain plays a role in the elaboration or modulation of beta-endorphin and clonidine analgesia in rats.

MeSH terms

  • 5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine / pharmacology
  • 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine / pharmacology
  • Analgesia*
  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Clonidine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Clonidine / pharmacology*
  • Endorphins / pharmacology*
  • Fenclonine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects*
  • Serotonin / analysis

Substances

  • Endorphins
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine
  • Serotonin
  • Naloxone
  • Clonidine
  • Fenclonine
  • 5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine