The antiallodynic action of pregabalin may depend on the suppression of spinal neuronal hyperexcitability in rats with spared nerve injury.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Pregabalin (PGB) is a novel antiepileptic drug and is also used as a first-line medication for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms of its analgesic effects remain largely unknown.

OBJECTIVES:

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antiallodynic action of PGB in rats with neuropathic pain.

METHODS:

In a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury, mechanical allodynia, as a behavioural sign of neuropathic pain, was assessed by measuring 50% paw withdrawal threshold with von Frey filaments. Activities of dorsal horn wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons were examined by extracellular electrophysiological recording in vivo.

RESULTS:

Spinal administration of PGB exerted a significant antiallodynic effect and a prominent inhibitory effect on the hypersensitivity of dorsal horn WDR neurons in rats with spared nerve injury.

CONCLUSION:

The antiallodynic action of PGB is likely dependent on the suppression of WDR neuron hyperexcitability in rats with neuropathic pain.

• Authors: Lei Ding, Jie Cai, Xiang-Yang Guo, Xiu-Li Meng, Guo-Gang Xing
• Journal: Pain research & management (Pain Res Manag) 2014 Jul-Aug Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 205-11 ISSN: 1918-1523 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24851240 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Pregabalin
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Topics

• Action Potentials (drug effects)
• Animals
• Area Under Curve
• Calcium Channel Blockers (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Hyperalgesia (drug therapy)
• Injections, Spinal
• Male
• Neural Inhibition (drug effects)
• Neuralgia (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Neurons (drug effects)
• Pain Measurement
• Pain Threshold (drug effects)
• Physical Stimulation (adverse effects)
• Pregabalin
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Spinal Cord (pathology)
• Time Factors
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, therapeutic use)