CAPSAICIN AFFECTS AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR, BUT NOT HOT PLATE RESPONDING, OF ADULT MALE-MICE

Adult male mice of albino Swiss-derived CD-1 strain were used to assess the effects of capsaicin (a powerful agent that produces a marked depletion of the undecapeptide substance P) on both intraspecific aggressive behavior (induced by 8 weeks of individual housing) and pain sensitivity. Capsaicin was given SC, 48 h before behavioral testing. Aggressive behavior, scored during a 5-min session under red light, was significantly enhanced by capsaicin treatment (50 or 100-mu-l of a 7.5 mg/ml solution). In fact, Total Aggressive Episodes, Attacks, and Upright Offensive Posture were significantly higher in the two capsaicin-treated groups, while Latency to the first Attack was decreased, when compared to both vehicle or unhandled controls. A concomitant decrease in Submissive Postures and Flee was also evident in capsaicin mice. Hot plate testing (55 +/- 0.1-degrees-C, cutoff time 30 s), carried out on nonisolated mice, did not reveal any difference among the two capsaicin groups (same doses) and vehicle or unhandled controls.