Comparative Study on the Nociceptive Responses Induced by Whole Bee Venom and Melittin

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to confirm whether mether melittin major constituent of whole bee venom(WBV), had an abilty to product the same nociceptive as those induced by WBV. Changes on mechanical threshold, flinching behaviors and paw thickness (edema) were measured after intraplanrar injection of WBV (0.1 mg & 0.3 mg/paw) and melittin (0.05 mg & 0.15 mg/paw), and intrathecal injection of melittin (6mg).Also studied were the effects of morphine (3 mg & 6 mg/kg,i.p) on melittin-induced pain responses. Intraplantar injection of melittin at half a dorsage of WBV reduced mevhanical threshold, increased flinchings and paw thickness (edema) similar extent to those induced by WBV. Melittin- and WBV-induced flinchings were dose-dependent. Paw thickness increased maximaally about 1hr after melittin and WBV treatmint, and the increased paw thickness (edema) was ,mintained after 6 hours without great differences. <elittin-induced deced decease in mechanical threshold and flinchings were suppressed by i.p morphine. Intrathecal adminisreation of melittin (6mg)redyced mevhanical threshold of peripheral receptive field and induced flinching behaviors, bur did nit caused an increase in paw thickness. These finfings syggest that pain belabiors indyced by WBV were