Multiple 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) Receptors Are Involved in the Melittin-induced Nociceptive Responses in Rat I. Role of Peripheral 5-HT Receptor

Melittin-induced tonic pain model is characterized by local inflammation, edema, spontaneous flinchings, and sustained mechanical hypersensitivity. These nociceptive responses are mediated through selective activation of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers by melittin. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) receptors in the melittin-induced nociceptive responses. Changes in mechanical threshold, flinching behaviors and paw thickness were measured in rat intraplantarly injected with melittin($40{\mu}g/paw$) alone or treated together with melittin and 5-HT receptor antagonists. WAY-100635($100{\mu}g\;&\;200{\mu}g/paw$), isamoltane hemifumarate($100{\mu}g\;&\;200{\mu}g/paw$), methysergide maleate($60{\mu}g,\;120{\mu}g\;&\;200{\mu}g/paw$) and ICS-205,930($100{\mu}g\;&\;200{\mu}g/paw$) were intraplantarly injected 20 min before melittin injection. All 5-HT receptor antagonists tested in this experiment significantly attenuated the ability of melittin to reduce mechanical threshold and to induce flinching behaviors. 5-HT receptor antagonists, except ICS-205,930, had mild inhibitory effect on melittin-induced edema. These experimental findings suggest that multiple peripheral 5-HT receptors are involved in the melittin-induced nociceptive responses.