Influence of Naloxone and Methysergide on the Analgesic Effect of Clomipramine in Rats

The effects of the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine were studied in two analgesic tests in rats: (1) vocalization threshold response; and (2) scored behavioral response to electric shock to the tail. Clomipramine (20-50 mg/kg i.p.) produced analgesia, decreasing behavioral response scores and increasing vocalization threshold. Morphine also reduced the response scores in the second test. Naloxone (0.8 mg/kg i.p) or methysergide (20 mg/kg i.p.) (no effect when given alone) abolished the analgesic effect of clomipramine as evaluated by vocalization threshold response. Naloxone alone (0.6 or 2 mg/kg i.p.) increased the behavioral response at 20 and 30 V but did not modify the score at 40 V. Naloxone reduced the analgesic effect of clomipramine or morphine in the behavioral test. These results suggest that the analgesic effect of clomipramine could involve both serotonergic and endorphin central systems.