[Inhibition of dopamine on WDR neurons of dorsal horn not antagonized by phentolamine and naloxone in rats].

The inhibitory effects of dopamine (DA) applied spinally on the wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons of dorsal horn in rats were studied with extracellular recording technique. 54 WDR units were tested from 43 rats. With a dosage of DA from 0.26 x 10(-6) to 1.58 x 10(-6) mol/kg, the inhibitory effect of the neurotransmitter on the responses of dorsal horn neurons to noxious transcutaneous electrical stimulation exhibited a gradual increase. After DA (0.52 x 10(-6) mol/kg) administration, the inhibitory effect of DA began to appear in 5 min and reach to maximum in 15 min, whereupon the maximum level could be maintained for about 25 min. This effect of DA could be reversed completely by dopaminergic receptor antagonist, droperidol (0.66 x 10(-6) mol/kg) but not by 2.65 x 10(-6) mol/kg phentolamine or 1.37 x 10(-6) mol/kg naloxone. The results of the present investigation suggest that DA may be involved in the modulation of nociception at the spinal level as an independent neurotransmitter.