Antinociceptive effect of clomipramine in monoarthritic rats as revealed by the paw pressure test and the C-fiber-evoked reflex.
The antinociceptive effect of clomipramine was studied in monoarthritic rats by using the paw pressure test and the C-fiber-evoked reflex. Monoarthritis was produced by intra-articular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the tibio-tarsal joint. Joint circumference as well as vocalization threshold to graded paw pressure were evaluated weekly during a 14-week period after the intra-articular injection. At week 8, monoarthritic and vehicle-injected control rats were given either clomipramine or saline and both the paw pressure threshold and inhibition of the C-fiber-evoked reflex response were evaluated. Results showed that (i) 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/kg, i.v. of clomipramine induced significantly greater dose-dependent antinociception to paw pressure testing in the monoarthritic group, as compared to the control one; and (ii) 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/kg, i.v. of clomipramine exerted significantly higher dose-dependent inhibition of the C-reflex activity in monoarthritic rats than in controls. Results suggest that the higher sensitivity to clomipramine in monoarthritic rats could be related to adaptive changes occurring in monoamine metabolism or in other neurotransmitter systems during chronic pain.
Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile.
T
T
Pelissier
A
A
Hernández
C
C
Mestre
A
A
Eschalier
C
C
Laurido
C
C
Paeile
P
P
Alvarez
R
R
Soto-Moyano
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics; D002997:Clomipramine