Endothelin-1 in periaqueductal gray area of mice induces analgesia via glutamatergic receptors

Pain. 1996 May-Jun;65(2-3):205-9. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(95)00178-6.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) injected into dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG) area of mice produces antinociception. ET-1, from 1 to 4 pmol/mouse, induced antinociceptive effect in a dose-dependent manner. This antinociceptive effect was prevented by NMDA receptor antagonists (2-APV and MK-801) injected in the same area (2-APV) or by intraperitoneal route (MK-801). CNQX, a non-NMDA receptor antagonist, did not inhibit the ET-1 effects. Prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenergic blocking agent, also prevented the ET-1 antinociceptive effect. We suggest that the activation of NMDA glutamatergic receptors in the PAG area may be a necessary step for ET-1 induced antinociception.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / pharmacology
  • 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelin-1 / pharmacology*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Periaqueductal Gray / drug effects*
  • Prazosin / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects*

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
  • Analgesics
  • Endothelin-1
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione
  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate
  • Prazosin