Taurine modulates chemical nociception in mice.
The effect of taurine on nociception was investigated in adult male Swiss mice using the formalin and acetic acid tests. Taurine (50-200 mg/kg) injected sc into the animals (N = 6 per group) 30 min before formalin injection into the right hind paw reduced formalin-induced early phase (0-5 min) licking activity by 30-42%, but had no effect on the late phase (20-25 min) response. Writhing responses induced by acetic acid injected ip were also significantly inhibited by 49% and 56% by doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg taurine, respectively. In both tests taurine demonstrated antinociception which was significantly blocked by naloxone (1 mg/kg, sc, administered simultaneously with taurine). The naloxone-sensitive antinociceptive action of taurine was probably mediated via modulation of endogenous pain-regulatory systems that involve opioid peptides, neuropeptides like substance P and amino acids such as glutamate and aspartate.
Silva
M A
MA
Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brasil.
Cunha
G M
GM
Viana
G S
GS
Rao
V S
VS
D000085:Acetates; D000818:Animals; D005557:Formaldehyde; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013654:Taurine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000085:Acetates; D013654:Taurine; D005557:Formaldehyde; D009270:Naloxone