• 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 196  (2) , 288-297
Abstract
Intracerebroventricularly (i.vt.) administered LaCl3 produced antinociceptive effects as measured by the mouse tail-flick and hot plate tests and the rat tail-flick test. These antinociceptive effects were reduced by peripheral administration of the narcotic antagonist naloxone or by i.vt. administration of CaCl2. Animals made tolerant to morphine were also tolerant to the effects of La+++. In morphine-dependent mice the incidence of both abrupt and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping was reduced by La+++ administration. In view of the known inhibitory effects of La+++ on Ca++ binding and movement, this suggests that alterations in Ca++ localization may be involved in the analgetic action of narcotic drugs and as the development of narcotic tolerance and dependence.