Role of peripheral and spinal 5-HT2B receptors in formalin-induced nociception

Abstract

In this study we assessed the role of local peripheral and spinal serotonin 2B (5-HT2B) receptors in rats submitted to the formalin test. For this, local peripheral ipsilateral, but not contralateral, administration of the highly selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist 2-amino-4-(4-fluoronaphth-1-yl)-6-isopropylpyridine (RS-127445, 0.01–1nmol/paw) significantly prevented 1% formalin-induced flinching behavior. Moreover, local peripheral ipsilateral, but not contralateral, of the selective 5-HT2 receptor agonist (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI, 1–10nmol/paw) augmented 0.5% formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. The local pronociceptive effect of the 5-HT2 receptor agonist DOI (10nmol/paw) was significantly prevented by the local injection of RS-127445 (0.01nmol/paw). Moreover, intrathecal injection of the selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist RS-127445 (0.1–10nmol/rat) also prevented 1% formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. In contrast, spinal injection of the 5-HT2 receptor agonist DOI (1–10nmol/rat) significantly increased flinching behavior induced by 0.5% formalin. The spinal pronociceptive effect of the 5-HT2 receptor agonist DOI (10nmol/rat) was prevented by the intrathecal injection of the 5-HT2B receptor antagonist RS-127445 (0.1nmol/rat). Our results suggest that the 5-HT2B receptors play a pronociceptive role in peripheral as well as spinal sites in the rat formalin test. 5-HT2B receptors could be a target to develop analgesic drugs.