Effects of Desipramine and Chlorimipramine on Buprenorphine Analgesia in Mice

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Abstract
The effects of the tricyclic antidepressants desipramine HCl and chlorimipramine HCl on buprenorphine HCl antinociceptive activity were studied in mice using the hot-plate and the tail-flick methods. In the hot-plate test, desipramine caused a transient antinociceptive effect at low doses, but it decreased buprenorphine analgesia. Chlorimipramine in this test caused a more sustained antinociceptive effect, especially at relatively higher doses, and it did not significantly change buprenorphine analgesia. In the tail-flick test, desipramine either reduced or increased the tail-flick latency in a dose-specific manner, and chlorimipramine (10 mg/kg) significantly increased the tail-flick latency. Desipramine (1 mg/kg) caused a decrease followed by an increase in buprenorphine analgesia. Desipramine (5 and 10 mg/kg) caused significant increases in buprenorphine analgesia. All doses of chlorimipramine (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) caused significant increases in buprenorphine analgesia. Thus, depending on the test employed, buprenorphine analgesia was modified diferently by these tricyclics. Biochemical data suggested a greater role for brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) than noradrenaline in tricyclic analgesia.