Changes in endorphins and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in cerebrospinal fluid as a result of treatment with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (zimelidine) in chronic pain patients.
Both the endorphin and the serotonin systems seem to be involved in pain perception, and a significant positive correlation between the levels of endorphins and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been established. In the present study, 20 chronic pain patients were treated with zimelidine, a rather selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, or placebo. Zimelidine produced a significant pain relief and a significant reduction of the levels of endorphins and 5-HIAA in CSF, while no significant changes occurred during placebo treatment. The results indicate that both the endorphin and the serotonin systems are involved in pain perception and that the systems are functionally related.
D000328:Adult; D001977:Brompheniramine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004723:Endorphins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015031:Zimeldine
D004723:Endorphins; D011725:Pyridines; D015031:Zimeldine; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D001977:Brompheniramine