Modality-specific antinociception produced by intrathecal injection of anti-somatostatin antiserum in rats.

An intrathecal injection of antiserum against somatostatin significantly inhibited the nociceptive response to thermal but not mechanical stimulation in non-arthritic and adjuvant arthritic rats. The thermal antinociception induced by intrathecally injected anti-somatostatin antiserum was more remarkable in adjuvant arthritic rats than in non-arthritic ones. These results suggest that endogenous somatostatin participates in transmission of thermal nociception in the rat spinal dorsal horn in non-arthritic and arthritic conditions.