Effect of aspirin on serotonin and met-enkephalin in brain: correlation with the antinociceptive activity of the drug.

Intravenous administration of acetyl salicylate of lysine, a soluble salt of aspirin, reduced in rats the firing discharge of thalamic neurones, evoked by noxious stimuli. Concomitantly, concentrations of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid increased, while those of met-enkephalin-like immuno-reactive derivatives were decreased in several areas of the brain. Similar electrophysiological and biochemical responses were obtained by administering tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan plus carbidopa. The effect of aspirin on the evoked firing of the thalamic neurones was counteracted by pretreating the animals with metergoline. On the other hand, naloxone did not antagonize the inhibitory effect of aspirin and 5-hydroxytryptophan on pain-induced neuronal excitation. These data indicate that a serotonin-, but not a naloxone-sensitive opiate mechanism, may be relevant for aspirin-mediated antinociception.