Abstract
To test the hypothesis that administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) to the spinal cord reduces inflammatory pain, we evaluated the effects of intrathecal NPY on behavioral and cardiovascular markers of the nociception associated with intraplantar formalin injection in rats. Before the administration of formalin, NPY dose dependently increased blood pressure, an effect that could be prevented with the coadministration of the Y2 antagonist, BIIE0246. This effect lasted only 20 min, and thus was over before initiation of the formalin test. NPY dose dependently inhibited the flinching, licking, pressor, and tachycardia responses associated with formalin injection. The Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO 3304 partially reversed the antinociceptive effect of NPY at a dose that did not by itself have an effect (3 μg). We conclude that intrathecal NPY acts in part via Y1 receptors to inhibit ongoing inflammatory nociception.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 703-711 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Physiology and Behavior |
Volume | 80 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank Dr. Bola Taiwo for his help in verifying the patency and location of the intrathecal catheters. This research was supported by grants DA10356 and NS45954 to BKT, and by Tulane University.
Keywords
- Analgesia
- Blood pressure
- Formalin
- Pain
- Spinal cord