Reversal of antinociceptive effect of cholecystokinin by benzodiazepines and a benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788.

Intraperitoneally administered benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide (2-5 mg/kg), diazepam (1 mg/kg), flurazepam (1 mg/kg) and a benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788 (0.5 mg/kg), reversed the antinociceptive effect in mice which was induced by intracisternal administration of 1 microgram of sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide. The antinociceptive effect of cholecystokinin was reversed by naloxone, suggesting that the antinociceptive action involves endogenous opioid peptides in its production. On the other hand, morphine-induced analgesia was not reversed by diazepam and Ro 15-1788. These facts rule out opioid receptors as the site of the antagonism between the benzodiazepines or Ro 15-1788 and cholecystokinin on the antinociceptive effect. Benzodiazepines and Ro 15-1788 seem to inhibit the release of opioid peptides induced by cholecystokinin.