Isobolographic analysis of interaction between spinal endomorphin-1, a newly isolated endogenous opioid peptide, and lidocaine in the rat formalin test.

摘要

Endomorphin-1, a newly isolated endogenous opioid ligand, has a potential affinity with mu-opioid receptor. We investigated antinociception of intrathecal endomorphin-1 and lidocaine in the rat formalin test and examined the interaction between the two agents using isobolographic analysis. Intrathecal endomorphin-1 caused dose-dependent suppression of the formalin-induced biphasic behavioral response. Intrathecal lidocaine produced dose-dependent inhibition of phase-2 behavioral response. Isobolographic analysis confirmed that combination of intrathecal endomorphin-1 and lidocaine, given at a fixed dose ratio, produced synergistic suppression of phase-2 behavioral response. These data demonstrate that spinal endomorphin-1 synergistically interacts with local anesthetic lidocaine in producing antinociception in the formalin test.