ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE BRADYKININ B1 AND B2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS, DES-ARG9, [LEU8]-BK AND HOE 140, IN 2 MODELS OF PERSISTENT HYPERALGESIA IN THE RAT

There has been recent evidence linking bradykinin (BK) receptors with inflammation. This study has investigated the involvement of BK recept ors in two models of persistent inflammatory hyperalgesia in rats. In a Freund's adjuvant-induced hyperalgesia model and an ultraviolet (UV) -induced hyperalgesia model in rats the specific B2 antagonist, D-Arg[ Hyp3, Thi5, D-Tic7, Oic8]-BK (HOE 140), was either ineffective or weak ly active in reversing hyperalgesia. The specific B1 antagonist, des-A rg9, [Leu8]-BK, was effective in reversing or preventing the developme nt of hyperalgesia in both Freund's adjuvant-induced hyperalgesia and UV-induced hyperalgesia. The B1 agonist, des-Arg9-BK, produced a small exacerbation of hyperalgesia in both models. Data suggest that in per sistent inflammatory conditions in the rat bradykinin B1 receptors are involved in the accompanying hyperalgesia.