ABSTRACT
Role of peripheral and central noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the carrageenin-induced pedal oedema in rats was studied using agents which influence catecholamine synthesis and receptor activity of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Reserpine, guanethidine, α-methyl-p-tyrosine, diethyldithiocarbamate, 6-hydroxydopamine, phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, chlorpromazine and yohimbine markedly inhibited carrageenin-induced pedal oedema. However, 6-hydroxydopamine given intracerebroventricularly, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine, p-chlorophenylalanine, lower dose of yohimbine, pro pranolol, haloperidol, cyproheptadine and mepyramine did not alter the carrageenin-induced oedema, whereas, cyproheptadine and mepyramine given simultaneously, markedly inhibited carrageenin-induced oedema. Our studies indicate that the process of oedema formation in rats by carrageenin involves both the peripheral noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine.