ABSTRACT
Peripheral postischemic dysesthesia was examined behaviorally in mice and we investigated the underlying molecular mechanism with a focus on oxidative stress. Hind-paw ischemia was induced by tight compression of the ankle with a rubber band, and reperfusion was achieved by cutting the rubber tourniquet. We found that reperfusion after ischemia markedly provoked licking of the reperfused hind paw, which was significantly inhibited by systemic administration of the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine and the transient receptor potential (TRP) A1 channel blocker HC-030031 [2-(1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-7H-purin-7-yl)-N-(4-isopropylphenyl)acetamide]. Postischemic licking was also significantly inhibited by an intraplantar injection of another antioxidant, phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone. The TRPV1 channel blocker BCTC [N-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-4-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)tetrahydropyrazine-1(2H)-carboxamide] did not inhibit postischemic licking. An intraplantar injection of hydrogen peroxide elicited hind-paw licking, which was inhibited by N-acetyl-l-cysteine, phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, and HC-030031. Postischemic licking was not affected by chemical depletion of sensory C-fibers, but it was inhibited by morphine, which has been shown to inhibit the C- and Aδ-fiber-evoked responses of dorsal horn neurons. Interestingly, postischemic licking was not inhibited by gabapentin and pregabalin, which have been shown to inhibit the C-fiber- but not Aδ-fiber-evoked response. The present results suggest that ischemia-reperfusion induces oxidative stress, which activates TRPA1 channels to provoke postischemic licking. It has been suggested that this behavior is mediated by myelinated (probably Aδ-type) afferent fibers. Oxidative stress and TRPA1 channels may be potential targets to treat peripheral ischemia-associated dysesthesia.
