Reversal of antinociceptive effect of caerulein by benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide and diazepam reversed the antinociceptive action of caerulein in mice. Benzodiazepines (1-5 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally and 100 ng of caerulein was injected intracisternally to mice. Benzodiazepines did not change the basal pain threshold of mice but significantly antagonized the antinociceptive effect of caerulein. Proglumide (200 mg/kg, i.p.), which has been claimed to be a specific cholecystokinin receptor antagonist, could also antagonize the antinociceptive effects of caerulein. Naloxone (5 mg/kg) partially but significantly antagonized the antinociceptive effect of caerulein, suggesting that one of the mechanisms of antinociceptive action of caerulein is related to endogenous opioid peptides since benzodiazepines do not act on opioid receptors. Benzodiazepines may decrease the antinociceptive effect of caerulein through acting on cholecystokinin receptors in the central nervous system.