Differential involvement of opioidergic and serotonergic systems in the antinociceptive activity of N-arachidonoyl-phenolamine (AM404) in the rat: comparison with paracetamol

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2008 May;377(3):219-29. doi: 10.1007/s00210-008-0284-9. Epub 2008 Apr 11.

Abstract

It is recognized that paracetamol undergoes a metabolic transformation to N-arachydonylphenolamine (AM404), a CB(1) receptor ligand and anandamide uptake inhibitor. Using hot-plate and paw pressure tests, we decided to establish whether AM404 may act through opioidergic and serotonergic mechanisms. Thus, we pretreated rats with opioid mu(1) (naloxonazine) and kappa (MR2266) or 5-HT(1A) (NAN-190), 5-HT(2) (ketanserin), and 5-HT(3) (ondansetron) receptor antagonists. We investigated the possible changes in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/serotonin ratio in the frontal cortex and pons. The antinociceptive effect of AM404 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or paracetamol (400 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in either test was abolished by naloxonazine or MR2266. Ondansetron prevented AM404 activity; NAN-190 and ketanserin were ineffective. Ketanserin antagonized paracetamol activity; NAN-190 and ondansetron were inactive. AM404 did not change serotonergic activity, while paracetamol decreased serotonin turnover. The diverse antinociceptive potency of the compounds might be explained by the different influence on the serotonergic system, despite a similar involvement of opioidergic one.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Frontal Lobe / drug effects
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / metabolism
  • Male
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pons / drug effects
  • Pons / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / drug effects
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / drug effects
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / drug effects
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A
  • Serotonin
  • Acetaminophen
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)arachidonylamide