[Studies of inflammatory pain response: related pain producing substance and endogenous opioid system]

A method for assessing inflammatory pain response was developed by modification of the formalin test. Formalin (0.5%, 25 microliters) was injected into the hindpaw of the mouse, and the durations spent in licking or biting response were measured as an indicator of pain response. The response curve was biphasic, having two peaks, from 0 to 5 min (first phase) and from 15 to 20 min (second phase). Morphine, ethylketocyclazocine, ketocyclazocine and pentazocine inhibited the response dose-dependently at the first and the second phases. Aspirin, oxyphenbutazone and dexamethasone inhibited only the second phase. Aminopyrine and mefenamic acid which acted at both central and peripheral sites inhibited both phases; however, the inhibition of the second phase was stronger than that of the first phase. Substance P (SP) antagonist inhibited only the first phase. Bradykinin (BK) inhibitor caused a inhibition of both first and second phases, and pretreatment of compound 48/80 and indomethacin inhibited only the second phase. From these facts, it was suggested that SP and BK played a role in the pain response at the first phase, and histamine, BK and PG were involved at the second phase. Naloxone produced hyperalgesia and bestatin produced analgesia at the second phase; then, it seems that the endogenous opioid system is activated by formalin stimulation and modulates the pain perception. Based on these findings, it is presumed that the pain of the first phase is evoked by the direct stimulation of the nerve fibers, and that of the second phase is due to the inflammatory reaction.