The antinociceptive effect of FR140423 in mice:: involvement of spinal α2-adrenoceptors

We investigated the role of the spinal noradrenergic system in the antinociceptive effect of FR140423, 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]pyrazole by using the tail-pinch test in mice and various adrenoceptor antagonists. The antinociceptive effect of FR140423 injected i.t. was completely abolished by co-administration of the non-selective ol-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine and the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine but not by the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin or the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. Oral administration of FR140423, at doses of 5-80 mg/kg, produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect with an ED50 value of 19 mg/kg. This antinociception was abolished by i.t., but not i.c.v., injection of phentolamine and yohimbine (10 mu g/mouse). These results suggest that alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in the spinal cord are involved in the antinociceptive effect of FR140423 against mechanical noxious stimulus as they are in the effect of morphine and clonidine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.