The Mechanism of Thermoregulatory Action of Capsaicin Is Different from That of Its Antinociceptive Effect in Guinea Pig

In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of antinociceptive effect and thermoregulatory action of capsaicin in guinea pigs. The administration of capsaicin (5 mg/kg, s.c.) caused a significant decrease in frequency of eye wiping, an indicative of nociceptive threshold. This antinociceptive effect of calsaicin was abolished by co-administration of capsazepine (30 mg/kg, s.c.) with capsaicin, suggesting the involvement of a vanilloid receptor in the antinociceptive action of capsaicin. The administration of capsaicin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a significant decrease in body temperature of guinea pigs. The maximum decrease in body temperature by 2 degrees was shown 1 hour after the treatment, and this decrease was not reversed by coadministration of capsazepine. In conclusion, it is suggested that the mechanism of action of capsaicin-induced thermoregulation involves different pathways from that of capsaicin-induced antinociception.