Morphine blocks the increase in acid phosphatase in the substantia gelatinosa during pain

Acid phosphatase activity in the rat substantia gelatinosa has been shown to increase in response to a formalin-induced painful stimulus. In the rat the substantia gelatinosa is the location of the first synapse in the pain pathway. One site of morphine's analgesic effect is at this first synapse. The present study shows that morphine blocks the previously observed increase in acid phosphatase activity during a painful stimulus. Naloxone antagonizes the morphine effect. These results point to a possible functional role of acid phosphatase in the afferent transmission of pain signals.