Analgesic effect of prolactin: possible mechanism of action.
The analgesic effect of prolactin (PRL) was tested by means of the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot plate method. In both assays PRL produced dose-dependent analgesia. This was antagonised by naltrexone indicating the involvement of opiate mechanisms. Bromocriptine, which inhibits PRL secretion through dopaminergic activity, also antagonised PRL-induced analgesia implicating dopaminergic mechanisms in this action of PRL. It is suggested that pituitary peptides may have a role in pain modulation along with the endogenous opioid peptides.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000700:Analgesics; D001971:Bromocriptine; D009271:Naltrexone; D011388:Prolactin