Antinociceptive action of captopril and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in Mus musculus mice

1. In the present study, the antinociceptive action of captopril was investigated, as well as its association with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), in mice under nociceptive stimulation. 2. The modulation of abdominal contortions (writhes) produced by acetic acid was observed in order to evaluate captopril pain stimuli blockade. 3. The administration of captopril produced a significant reduction of nociception, which was further reduced when captopril was associated with TENS. 4. Apparently this increase in the inhibition of nociception was produced by an indirect mechanism, involving opioid liberation by TENS and an enzymatic inhibition induced by captopril and this may lead to clinical applications of captopril and TENS association in pain relief.