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The involvement of serotonergic mechanisms in diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) acting on dorsal horn convergent neurones has been studied in the anaesthetized rat. 35 neurones activated by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of their hindpaw receptive fields giving clear large A-fibre and C-fibre responses were recorded. These activities were conditioned by DNIC, evoked by either noxious heat applied to the tail or noxious pinch of the nose. Cinanserin (4 mg/kg i.v.) and metergoline (5 mg/kg i.v.), serotonin (5-HT) receptor blockers, strongly reduced the inhibitory effects of DNIC whilst having no significant effect on the non-conditioned responses. 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a precursor of 5-HT synthesis, significantly potentiated the effect of DNIC. These results indicate an important role for descending serotonergic pathways in DNIC. The functional role of this system is discussed.
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