Anesthesiology
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Comparative Study
Impaired nociception and peripheral opioid antinociception in mice lacking both kinin B1 and B2 receptors.
Kinins (e.g., bradykinin) acting through the constitutively expressed B2 and the injury-induced B1 receptors are involved in pain and hyperalgesia, as previously shown by use of receptor-selective antagonists and single-receptor knockout models. Because the overall contribution of kinins to painful processes remains unclear, the aim of this study was to analyze pain-related behaviors of mice unable to respond to kinins because of a lack of both B1 and B2 receptors. ⋯ These data suggest that kinins are important for nociception associated with acute short-lasting inflammation but are less essential in chronic stages of pain. The results also highlight a new protective function of kinins via interactions with the opioid system.