Gaseous superoxide potentiation of the effect of nonnarcotic analgesics in low doses

The action of inhalation of gaseous superoxide on the effects of low doses of nonnarcotic analgesics was studied on volunteers in the little finger compression test. After administration of placebo, inhalation of gaseous superoxide produced a negligible transient decrease in pain tolerance threshold. Inhalation of gaseous superoxide potentiated the effects of threshold doses of novalgin and aspirin and prolonged their action, but did not modulate the analgesic effect of diclofenac. It is assumed that the potentiating effect of superoxide on the action of analgesics is related to inhibition of monoamine oxidases leading to accumulation of monoamines in the brain.