Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-1999)                   Med J Islam Repub Iran 1999 | Back to browse issues page

XML Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

RAFIEIAN-KOPAEI M, SEWELL R. INVOLVEMENT OF THE SEROTONIN SYSTEM IN SSRI-INDUCED ANTINOCICEPTION. Med J Islam Repub Iran 1999; 12 (4) :359-364
URL: http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-988-en.html
From the Department of Pharmacology, Shahrekord University of Medical Scier.ces, Shahrekord, I.R. Iran
Abstract:   (4051 Views)
Serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) may induce antinociception however, the mechanism of this effect is not clear. SSRls increase 5-HT levels in neuronal synapses and facilitate serotonergic activity. In this study, therefore, the activity of para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA), which reduces 5-HT release, and 5- hydroxy tryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of 5-HT, were examined on the antinociceptive activity of six SSRls, in the abdominal constriction test. The compounds studied included fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram and zimelidine. The effects of pCPA and 5-HTP were also evaluated on morphine analgesia as a standard compound. All antidepressants tested demonstrated dose-inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions. The antinociceptive activities of morphine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and sertraline, but not paroxetine, citalopram and zimelidine were significantly reduced by pCPA. Subsequently, 5- HTP restored the reduced antinociception of morphine, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine caused by pCP A. Furthermore, 5-HTP increased morphine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and sertraline-induced antinociception. Opioid receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce the antinociception induced by morphine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and sertraline but not by paroxetine, citalopram and zimelidine. It can be concluded, therefore, that the serotonin system is only involved in antinociception produced by antidepressants, and their antinociception is opioid antagonist reversible.
Full-Text [PDF 678 kb]   (1129 Downloads)    

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.