[Topical therapy of acute nociceptive pain: results of an open randomized clinical trial of the domestic drug Alental cream]. / Topicheskaya terapiya ostroi notsitseptivnoi boli: rezul'taty otkrytogo randomizirovannogo klinicheskogo issledovaniya otechestvennogo preparata Alental' krem.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy, safety and tolerability of the drug Alental cream for external use (VERTEX, LLS, Russia) compared with the original drug - Aertal cream for external use (Gedeon Richter, LLS, Hungary) for local therapy of acute nociceptive pain syndrome in patients who have suffered traumatic ankle injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 131 patients who had suffered an injury to the soft tissues of the ankle joint. The 1st comparison group received the drug Alental cream, the 2nd group - Aertal cream. The duration of therapy was 7 days. The effectiveness of the drugs was evaluated during treatment based on the dynamics of the intensity of pain syndrome and other symptoms of trauma, as well as the assessment of these changes by the doctor and the patient. The safety analysis included the registration of adverse events according to clinical and laboratory studies. RESULTS: Alental cream in terms of therapeutic efficacy was equivalent to the registered original preparation Aertal cream. The analysis of the assessment of the dynamics of clinical and laboratory parameters, the safety of treatment, including the frequency of adverse events, did not reveal significant differences between the two drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Alental cream can be used as a means for local therapy of acute nociceptive pain syndrome in traumatic soft tissue injuries.

The PPARγ agonist pioglitazone produces a female-predominant inhibition of hyperalgesia associated with surgical incision, peripheral nerve injury, and painful diabetic neuropathy.

Pioglitazone, an agonist at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, is FDA-approved for the treatment of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Numerous studies in male rodents suggest that pioglitazone inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, but few included female subjects. To address this gap, we compared the effects of pioglitazone in both sexes in the intraplantar methylglyoxal model (MG) model of chemical pain and painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), the plantar incision model (PIM) of postoperative pain, the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of traumatic nerve injury, and the ZDF rat and db/db mouse models of PDN. We administered pioglitazone by one-time intrathecal or intraperitoneal injection or by adding it to chow for 6 weeks, followed by measurement of hypersensitivity to non-noxious mechanical, noxious mechanical, heat, and/or cold stimuli. In all mouse models, injection of pioglitazone decreased pain-like behaviors with greater potency and/or efficacy in females as compared to males: heat and mechanical hypersensitivity in the MG model (0.1-10 mg/kg); mechanical hypersensitivity in the PIM model (10 µg); mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in the SNI model (100 mg/kg); and heat hypersensitivity in the db/db model (100 mg/kg). Furthermore, co-administration of low doses of morphine (1 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) decreased SNI-induced mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in female but not male mice. In the ZDF rat, pioglitazone (100 mg/kg) decreased heat and mechanical hypersensitivity with no sex difference. In the db/db model, pioglitazone had no effect when given into chow for 6 weeks at 0.3, 3 or 30 mg/kg doses. We conclude that females exhibit greater anti-hyperalgesic responses to pioglitazone in mouse models of chemical-induced nociception, postsurgical pain, neuropathic pain, and PDN. These findings set the stage for clinical trials to determine whether pioglitazone has analgesic properties across a broad spectrum of chronic pain conditions, particularly in women.

Acid-sensing ion channels modulate bladder nociception.

Sensitization of neuronal pathways and persistent afferent drive are major contributors to somatic and visceral pain. However, the underlying mechanisms that govern whether afferent signaling will give rise to sensitization and pain are not fully understood. In the present report, we investigated the contribution of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) to bladder nociception in a model of chemical cystitis induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP). We found that the administration of CYP to mice lacking ASIC3, a subunit primarily expressed in sensory neurons, generates pelvic allodynia at a time point at which only modest changes in pelvic sensitivity are apparent in wild-type mice. The differences in mechanical pelvic sensitivity between wild-type and Asic3 knockout mice treated with CYP were ascribed to sensitized bladder C nociceptors. Deletion of Asic3 from bladder sensory neurons abolished their ability to discharge action potentials in response to extracellular acidification. Collectively, the results of our study support the notion that protons and their cognate ASIC receptors are part of a mechanism that operates at the nerve terminals to control nociceptor excitability and sensitization.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study indicates that protons and their cognate acid-sensing ion channel receptors are part of a mechanism that operates at bladder afferent terminals to control their function and that the loss of this regulatory mechanism results in hyperactivation of nociceptive pathways and the development of pain in the setting of chemical-induced cystitis.

TREK-1 potassium channels participate in acute and long-lasting nociceptive hypersensitivity induced by formalin in rats.

TREK-1 channels are expressed in small nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons where they participate in acute inflammatory and neuropathic pain. However, the role of TREK-1 in persistent pain is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the local peripheral and spinal participation of TREK-1 in formalin-induced acute and long-lasting nociceptive hypersensitivity. Local peripheral or intrathecal pre-treatment with spadin, selective blocker of TREK-1, increased acute flinching behavior and secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia behavior observed 6 days after formalin injection. Local peripheral or intrathecal pre-treatment with BL-1249, selective opener of TREK-1, decreased long-lasting secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by formalin. Pre-treatment with BL-1249 prevented the pro-nociceptive effect of spadin on acute nociception and long-lasting mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in rats. Pre-treatment with two recombinant channels that produce a high TREK-1 current, S300A and S333A (non-phosphorylated state of TREK-1), reduced formalin-induced acute pain and long-lasting mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia. Besides, post-treatment with S300A, S333A or BL-1249 reversed long-lasting mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by formalin. Formalin increased TREK-1 expression at 1 and 6 days in DRG and dorsal spinal cord in rats, whereas that it increased c-fos expression at the DRG. Intrathecal repeated transfection of rats with S300A and S333A or injection with BL-1249 reduced formalin-induced enhanced c-fos expression. Data suggest that TREK-1 activity at peripheral and spinal sites reduces neuronal excitability in the process of acute and long-lasting nociception induced by formalin in rats.

Angiotensin (1-7) Attenuates the Nociceptive Behavior Induced by Substance P and NMDA via Spinal MAS1.

The intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (SP) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) induce transient nociceptive response by activating neurokinin (NK) 1 and NMDA receptors, respectively. We have recently reported that angiotensin (Ang) (1-7), an N-terminal fragment of Ang II, could alleviate several types of pain including neuropathic and inflammatory pain by activating spinal MAS1. Here, we investigated whether Ang (1-7) can inhibit the SP- and NMDA-induced nociceptive response. The nociceptive response induced by an i.t. injection of SP or NMDA was assessed by measuring the duration of hindlimb scratching directed toward the flank, biting and/or licking of the hindpaw or the tail for 5 min. Localization of MAS1 and either NK1 or NMDA receptors in the lumbar superficial dorsal horn was determined by immunohistochemical observation. The nociceptive response induced by SP and NMDA was attenuated by the i.t. co-administration of Ang (1-7) (0.03-3 pmol) in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of Ang (1-7) (3 pmol) were attenuated by A779 (100 pmol), a MAS1 antagonist. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis showed that spinal MAS1 co-localized with NK1 receptors and NMDA receptors on cells in the dorsal horn. Taken together, the i.t. injection of Ang (1-7) attenuated the nociceptive response induced by SP and NMDA via spinal MAS1, which co-localized with NK1 and NMDA receptors. Thus, the spinal Ang (1-7)/MAS1 pathway could represent a therapeutic target to effectively attenuate spinal pain transmission caused by the activation of NK1 or NMDA receptors.

Mechanistic evaluation of a novel cyclohexenone derivative's functionality against nociception and inflammation: An in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico approach.

The synthesis of a novel cyclohexanone derivative (CHD; Ethyl 6-(4-metohxyphenyl)-2-oxo-4-phenylcyclohexe-3-enecarboxylate) was described and the subsequent aim was to perform an in vitro, in vivo and in silico pharmacological evaluation as a putative anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory agent in mice. Initial in vitro studies revealed that CHD inhibited both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzymes and it also reduced mRNA expression of COX-2 and the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß. It was then shown that CHD dose dependently inhibited chemically induced tonic nociception in the abdominal constriction assay and also phasic thermal nociception (i.e. anti-nociception) in the hot plate and tail immersion tests in comparison with aspirin and tramadol respectively. The thermal test outcomes indicated a possible moderate centrally mediated anti-nociception which, in the case of the hot plate test, was pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and naloxone reversible, implicating GABAergic and opioidergic mechanisms. CHD was also effective against both the neurogenic and inflammatory mediator phases induced in the formalin test and it also disclosed anti-inflammatory activity against the phlogistic agents, carrageenan, serotonin, histamine and xylene compared with standard drugs in edema volume tests. In silico studies indicated that CHD possessed preferential affinity for GABAA, opioid and COX-2 target sites and this was supported by molecular dynamic simulations where computation of free energy of binding also favored the formation of stable complexes with these sites. These findings suggest that CHD has prospective anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, probably mediated through GABAergic and opioidergic interactions supplemented by COX-2 and 5-LOX enzyme inhibition in addition to reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. CHD may therefore possess potentially beneficial therapeutic effectiveness in the management of inflammation and pain.

Functional expression of glycine receptors in DRG neurons of mice.

Glycine receptor is one of the chloride-permeable ion channels composed of combinations of four α subunits and one ß subunit. In adult spinal cord, the glycine receptor α1 subunit is crucial for the generation of inhibitory neurotransmission. The reduced glycinergic inhibition is regarded as one of the key spinal mechanisms underlying pathological pain symptoms. However, the expression and function of glycine receptors in the peripheral system are largely unknown as yet. Here we found that glycine receptor α1 subunit was prevalent in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons as well as in the sciatic nerves of adult mice. Intraganglionar or intraplantar injection of glycine receptor antagonist strychnine caused the hypersensitivity to mechanical, thermal and cold stimuli, suggesting the functional importance of peripheral glycine receptors in the control of nociceptive signal transmission. Our data showed that peripheral inflammation induced by formalin decreased the expression of glycine receptor α1 subunit on the plasma membrane of DRG neurons, which was attributed to the activation of protein kinase C signaling. Intraplantar application of glycine receptor agonist glycine or positive modulator divalent zinc ion alleviated the first-phase painful behaviors induced by formalin. These data suggested that peripheral glycine receptor might serve as an effective target for pain therapy.

Selective blockade of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 reduces cyclophosphamide-induced bladder pain in mice.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a non-selective cation channel activated by various physical stimuli such as cell swelling and shear stress. TRPV4 is expressed in bladder sensory nerves and epithelium, and its activation produces urinary dysfunction in rodents. However, there have been few reports regarding its involvement in bladder pain. Therefore, we investigated whether TRPV4 is involved in bladder pain in mouse cystitis model. Intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP; 300 mg/kg) produced mechanical hypersensitivity in the lower abdomen associated with a severe inflammatory bladder in mice. The mechanical threshold was reversed significantly in Trpv4-knockout (KO) mice. Repeated injections of CYP (150 mg/kg) daily for 4 days provoked mild bladder inflammation and persistent mechanical hypersensitivity in mice. Trpv4-KO mice prevented a reduction of the mechanical threshold without an alteration in bladder inflammation. A selective TRPV4 antagonist also reversed the mechanical threshold in chronic cystitis mice. Although expression of Trpv4 was unchanged in the bladders of chronic cystitis mice, the level of phosphorylated TRPV4 was increased significantly. These results suggest involvement of TRPV4 in bladder pain of cystitis mice. A TRPV4 antagonist might be useful for patients with irritable bladder pain such as those with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

TNF-α, CXCL-1 and IL-1 ß as activators of the opioid system involved in peripheral analgesic control in mice.

Tissue injury results in the release of inflammatory mediators, including a cascade of nociceptive substances, which contribute to development of hyperalgesia. In addition, during this process endogenous analgesic substances are also peripherally released with the aim of controlling the hyperalgesia. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1ß, CXCL1, norepinephrine (NE) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) may be involved in the deflagration of peripheral endogenous modulation of inflammatory pain by activation of the opioid system. Thus, male Swiss mice and the paw withdrawal test were used. All substances were injected by the intraplantar route. Carrageenan, TNF-α, CXCL-1, IL1-ß, NE and PGE2 induced hyperalgesia. Selectives µ (clocinamox), δ (naltrindole) and κ (norbinaltorphimine, nor-BNI) and non-selective (naloxone) opioid receptor antagonists potentiated the hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, TNF-α, CXCL-1 and IL1-ß. In contrast, when the enzyme N-aminopeptidase involved in the degradation of endogenous opioid peptides was inhibited by bestatin, the hyperalgesia was significantly reduced. In addition, the western blotting assay indicated that the expression of the opioid δ receptor was increased after intraplantar injection of carrageenan. The data obtained in this work corroborate the hypothesis that TNF-α, CXCL-1 and IL-ß cause, in addition to hyperalgesia, the release of endogenous substances such as opioid peptides, which in turn exert endogenous control over peripheral inflammatory pain.

The synergistic effects of opioid and neuropeptide B/W in rat acute inflammatory and neuropathic pain models.

The use of morphine is controversial due to the incidence of rewarding behavior, respiratory depression, and tolerance, leading to increased drug dose requirements, advancing to morphine addiction. To overcome these barriers, strategies have been taken to combine morphine with other analgesics. Neuropeptide B23 and neuropeptide W23 (NPB23 and NPW23) are commonly used to relieve inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. As NPB23 and NPW23 system shares similar anatomical basis with opioid system at least in the spinal cord we hypothesized that NPB23 or NPW23 and morphine may synergistically relieve inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. To test this hypothesis, we demonstrated that µ opioid receptor and NPBW1 receptor (receptor of NPB23 and NPW23) are colocalized in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Secondly, co-administration of morphine witheitherNPB23 or NPW23 synergistically attenuated inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Furthermore, either NPB23 or NPW23 significantly reduced morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and constipation. We also found that phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) following morphine was profoundly potentiated by the application of NPB23 or NPW23. Hence, combination of morphine with either NPB23 or NPW23 reduced dose of morphine required for pain relief in inflammatory and neuropathic pain, while effectively prevented some side-effects of morphine.

Spinal cord fractalkine (CX3CL1) signaling is critical for neuronal sensitization in experimental nonspecific, myofascial low back pain.

Neuroactive substances released by activated microglia contribute to hyperexcitability of spinal dorsal horn neurons in many animal models of chronic pain. An important feedback loop mechanism is via release of fractalkine (CX3CL1) from primary afferent terminals and dorsal horn neurons and binding to CX3CR1 receptors on microglial cells. We studied the involvement of fractalkine signaling in latent and manifest spinal sensitization induced by two injections of nerve growth factor (NGF) into the lumbar multifidus muscle as a model for myofascial low back pain. Single dorsal horn neurons were recorded in vivo to study their receptive fields and spontaneous activity. Under intrathecal vehicle application, the two NGF injections led to an increased proportion of neurons responding to stimulation of deep tissues (41%), to receptive field expansion into the hindlimb (15%), and to resting activity (53%). Blocking fractalkine signaling by continuous intrathecal administration of neutralizing antibodies completely prevented these signs of spinal sensitization to a similar extent as in a previous study with the microglia inhibitor minocycline. Reversely, fractalkine itself induced similar sensitization in a dose-dependent manner (for 200 ng/mL: 45% deep tissue responses, 24% receptive field expansion, and 45% resting activity) as repeated nociceptive stimulation by intramuscular NGF injections. A subsequent single NGF injection did not have an additive effect. Our data suggest that neuron-to-microglia signaling via the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 pathway is critically involved in the initiation of nonspecific, myofascial low back pain through repetitive nociceptive stimuli.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Blocking fractalkine signaling by neutralizing antibodies completely prevented spinal sensitization induced by repetitive mild nociceptive input [2 nerve growth factor (NGF) injections into the multifidus muscle] Conversely, fractalkine given intrathecally caused the same pattern of spinal sensitization as the nociceptive NGF injections. Fractalkine signaling is critically involved in sensitization of dorsal horn neurons induced by repeated nociceptive low back muscle stimulation and may hence be a potential target for the prevention of nonspecific, myofascial low back pain.

Inhibitors of angiotensin I converting enzyme potentiate fibromyalgia-like pain symptoms via kinin receptors in mice.

Fibromyalgia is a potentially disabling chronic disease, characterized by widespread pain and a range of comorbidities such as hypertension. Among the mechanisms involved in fibromyalgia-like pain symptoms are kinins and their B1 and B2 receptors. Moreover, angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, commonly used as antihypertensive drugs, can enhance pain by blocking the degradation of peptides such as substance P and bradykinin, besides enhancing kinin receptors signalling. We investigated the effect of ACE inhibitors on reserpine-induced fibromyalgia-like pain symptoms and the involvement of kinins in this effect in mice. Nociceptive parameters (mechanical and cold allodynia and overt nociception) were evaluated after ACE inhibitors administration in mice previously treated with reserpine. The role of kinin B1 and B2 receptors was investigated using pharmacological antagonism. Additionally, bradykinin levels, as well as the activity of ACE and kininase I, were measured in the sciatic nerve, spinal cord and cerebral cortex of the mice. The ACE inhibitors enalapril and captopril enhanced reserpine-induced mechanical allodynia, and this increase was prevented by kinin B1 and B2 receptor antagonists. Substance P and bradykinin caused overt nociception and increased mechanical allodynia in animals treated with reserpine. Reserpine plus ACE inhibitors increased bradykinin-related peptide levels and inhibited ACE activity in pain modulation structures. Since hypertension is a frequent comorbidity affecting fibromyalgia patients, hypertension treatment with ACE inhibitors in these patients should be reviewed once this could enhance fibromyalgia-like pain symptoms. Thus, the treatment of hypertensive patients with fibromyalgia could include other classes of antihypertensive drugs, different from ACE inhibitors.

Sanguinarine is an agonist of TRPA1 channel.

Sanguinarine, a benzyl isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the root of Papaveraceae plants, shows extensive pharmacological activities including anti-microbial, anti-trypanosoma, anti-tumor, anti-platelet, anti-hypertensive effects, as well as inhibition of osteoclast formation. Here we demonstrate that TRPA1 channel (Transient receptor potential cation channel, member A1) is a potential target for sanguinarine. Electrophysiological recordings show that sanguinarine activates TRPA1 channel potently with an EC50 0.09 (0.04-0.13) µM, but has no effects on other examined TRP channels. Sanguinarine increases the intracellular calcium levels and upregulates the excitability of mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro significantly. Plantar injection of sanguinarine evokes nociceptive behaviors similar to that elicited by allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a classic agonist of TRPA1. Both the enhancement of excitability of DRG neurons and the nociceptive behaviors can be attenuated by treatment of TRPA1 channel antagonist HC030031 or knockout of trpa1 gene. Taken together, our data demonstrate that sanguinarine is a potent and relatively selective agonist of TRPA1 channel.

Longitudinal Transcriptomic Profiling in Carrageenan-Induced Rat Hind Paw Peripheral Inflammation and Hyperalgesia Reveals Progressive Recruitment of Innate Immune System Components.

Pain is a common but potentially debilitating symptom, often requiring complex management strategies. To understand the molecular dynamics of peripheral inflammation and nociceptive pain, we investigated longitudinal changes in behavior, tissue structure, and transcriptomic profiles in the rat carrageenan-induced peripheral inflammation model. Sequential changes in the number of differentially expressed genes are consistent with temporal recruitment of key leukocyte populations, mainly neutrophils and macrophages with each wave being preceded by upregulation of the cell-specific chemoattractants, Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, and Ccl2 and Ccl7, respectively. We defined 12 temporal gene clusters based on expression pattern. Within the patterns we extracted genes comprising the inflammatory secretome and others related to nociceptive tissue remodeling and to sensory perception of pain. Structural tissue changes, involving upregulation of multiple collagens occurred as soon as 1-hour postinjection, consistent with inflammatory tissue remodeling. Inflammatory expression profiling revealed a broad-spectrum, temporally orchestrated molecular and cellular recruitment process. The results provide numerous potential targets for modulation of pain and inflammation. PERSPECTIVE: This study investigates the highly orchestrated biological response during tissue inflammation with precise assessment of molecular dynamics at the transcriptional level. The results identify transcriptional changes that define an evolving inflammatory state in rats. This study provides foundational data for identifying markers of, and potential treatments for, inflammation and pain in patients.

Antinociceptive effects of rotigotine-loaded microspheres and its synergistic interactions with analgesics in inflammatory pain in rats.

Rotigotine-loaded microspheres (RoMS) are sustained-release formulations with prolonged anti-Parkinson's effects. Given that pain is a non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease, this study investigated the antinociceptive effects of RoMS and their synergistic effects with analgesics on inflammatory pain. A model of inflammatory pain was prepared by intraplantarly injecting male Sprague-Dawley rats with carrageenan. The antinociceptive effects of RoMS, acetaminophen, and tramadol, both alone and in combination, were evaluated using the hind paw withdrawal latency in the hot plate test and Randall-Selitto test. The rotigotine concentrations in serum and tissues were assayed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Isobolographic analysis was performed to evaluate the nature of the interactions of RoMS with acetaminophen or tramadol. The results showed that hind paw withdrawal latency to thermal and mechanical stimuli was significantly increased on day 3 and 7 after administered RoMS. Rotigotine could be detected in serum and tissues 3 and 7 days after an intramuscular injection of RoMS. However, the rotigotine concentration fell the detection limit of the assay on day 14 after administration. RoMS produced synergistic antinociceptive effects in the inflammatory pain model when RoMS is combined with acetaminophen or tramadol. These findings suggest that RoMS can relieve inflammatory pain in rats. Furthermore, the combination of RoMS with acetaminophen or tramadol produces synergistic antinociception, which may be clinically worthy because combination therapies may reduce the drug doses required for antinociception.

Deficit in voluntary wheel running in chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain models in mice: Impact of sex and genotype.

Patients with chronic pain report decreased general activity and emotional distress. Therefore, the development of various animal models that encompass different aspects of pain are crucial for the discovery of genetic differences and the assessment of novel analgesics to improve quality of life. C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice received unilateral intraplantar injections of 100 % CFA, paclitaxel, or CCI surgery to compare their distance traveled in a voluntary wheel running assay, paw edema diameter, and mechanical sensitivity. Mechanical withdrawal thresholds were lower in both strains of mice that received CFA when compared to their vehicle. However, a decrease in distance traveled was observed in CFA-treated C57BL/6J but not DBA/2J mice. In a separate group, chemotherapy agent paclitaxel 8 mg/kg, i.p. was administered to both strains of mice to induce CIPN which was confirmed by lower mechanical thresholds in paclitaxel-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated mice. Only female C57BL/6J mice showed attenuation of distance traveled following treatment, whereas male C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice did not. Lastly, C57BL/6J mice underwent chronic constriction injury (CCI) or sham surgery to observe the impact of another chronic neuropathic pain model in wheel running assay. CCI mice showed a gradual decrease in mechanical withdrawal threshold and a decrease in distance traveled compared to sham 5 days following the procedure. Comparing these chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain models in different mouse strains may help us better understand genetic differences underlying pain perception and its impact on reflexive and nonreflexive outcome measures.

Polysaccaride-rich extract of Caesalpina ferrea stem barks attenuates mice acute inflammation induced by zymosan: Oxidative stress modulation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Stem barks of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. Ex Tul. (Caesalpiniaceae), also known as pau-ferro jucá or jucaína, are popularly used to treat contusions, diabetes, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions in the form of tea, lick or decoction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the polysaccharide-rich extract obtained from C. ferrea stem barks (PE-Cf) in mice models of acute inflammation induced by zymosan and the involvement of oxidative stress biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were treated with PE-Cf (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/kg) by endovenous route (i.v.) or per oral (p.o.) 30 or 60 min before injection of the inflammatory stimuli zymosan (0.5 mg; intraperitoneal or subcutaneous intraplantar). The inflammatory parameters (edema, nociception, leukocyte migration) and oxidative stress markers (myeloperoxidase-MPO, malondialdehyde-MDA, nitrite, reduced glutathione-GSH, glutathione peroxidase-GPx) were evaluated in the models of paw edema (hidropletysmometry/expressed as ml or area under curve-AUC) and peritonitis (optical microscopy/expressed as n° of cells/mm3 of peritoneal fluid). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni test. RESULTS: PE-Cf (0.1, 0.01 and 1 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited paw edema, showing maximal effect (74%) at 1 mg/kg in the 5th (52 ± 9.6 µl vs. zymosan: 204 ± 3.6 µl). PE-Cf (1 mg/kg) also inhibited by 43% MPO activity in the paw tissues (17 ± 1 vs. zymosan: 30 ± 2.6 U/mg). Besides, 4 h after peritonitis induction, PE-Cf (1 mg/kg) reduced neutrophil migration by 84% (432 ± 45 vs. zymosan: 2651 ± 643 cells/mm3); visceral nociception by 76% (3 ± 0.6 vs. zymosan: 16 ± 4 writhes); nitric oxide by 73% (0.131 ± 0.033 vs. zymosan: 0.578 ± 0.185 NO2-/NO3-ml); MDA (98 ± 10 vs. zymosan:156 ± 21 U/ml), and increased GSH by 65% (736 ± 65 vs. zymosan: 259 ± 58 µmol/ml) and GPx by 72% (0.037 ± 0.007 vs. zymosan: 0.010 ± 0.005 U/mg protein). CONCLUSION: The polysaccharide-rich extract of Caesalpinia ferrea stem barks present anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in mice models of acute inflammation induced by zymosan.

Mode of delivery alters dental pulp nociception and pain-induced changes in cognitive performance in adults male rats.

This study examined the effects of delivery mode on the response to inflammatory pulpal pain and pain-induced changes in cognitive performance in adult rats. Experiments were done on rats born by vaginal or caesarean section (C-section) delivery. Dental pulp was irritated by intradental capsaicin (100 µg) application and then nociceptive scores were recorded for 40 min. Spatial and passive avoidance learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) and shuttle box tools, respectively. Additionally, in vivo recording of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) in the CA1 of the hippocampus was used to verify synaptic plasticity. Capsaicin produced more significant nociceptive behavior in vaginally delivered rats compared to C-section rats (P < 0.01). C-section-delivered rats show better performance in both MWM and shuttle box tests. Likewise, C-section rats had greater fEPSP slopes compared to the vaginally delivered group (P < 0.05). Capsaicin impairs cognitive performance in rats born by each delivery route. However, capsaicin effects were more significant in rats delivered vaginally than by C-section. Overall, C-section-delivered rats show lower sensitivity to capsaicin-evoked pulpal nociception and better cognitive performance than vaginally delivered rats. These effects are in part mediated by reduced neuroinflammation and enhanced neuronal synaptic plasticity following C-section delivery.

Anti-nociceptive and antioxidant activity of betaine on formalin- and writhing tests induced pain in mice.

Pain is a physiological response which is mediated via the central and peripheral nervous system. Betaine, is a methyl glycine derivative and a commonly used nutrient supplement. The main purpose of the current paper is to determine the possible anti-nociceptive and antioxidant activity and sedative effect of betaine in mice. Adult male albino mice were divided into two categories, formalin and writhing tests. In the formalin test, mice were injected with betaine (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) or morphine (5 mg/kg). For co-injections mice received betaine (30 mg/kg) + naloxone (2 mg/kg) or atropine (1 mg/kg), chlorpheniramine (20 mg/kg), flumazenil (5 mg/kg), cimetidine (12.5 mg/kg) and cyproheptadine (4 mg/kg). Then the formalin test was done and paw licking time was determined. In the writhing test, injections were the same but the animals were injected with acetic acid (0.6 %) and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded. At the end of the study, blood antioxidant levels were determined. According to the results, betaine reduced the pain response in a dose-dependent manner. Co-administration of the naloxone + betaine or flumazenil + betaine significantly decreased the anti-nociceptive effect of betaine on the licking and biting time of the injected paw and inhibited the number of writhing movements. Betaine decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in formalin receiving mice. No adverse locomotion and sedation effect were observed in betaine-treated mice. These findings suggest that betaine has anti-nociceptive and antioxidant activity in mice, and its anti-nociceptive role interacts with opioidergic and GABA receptors.

C57BL/6 substrain differences in formalin-induced pain-like behavioral responses.

Substantial evidence from preclinical models of pain suggests that basal and noxious nociceptive sensitivity, as well as antinociceptive responses to drugs, show significant heritability. Individual differences to these responses have been observed across species from rodents to humans. The use of closely related C57BL/6 inbred mouse substrains can facilitate gene mapping of acute nociceptive behaviors in preclinical pain models. In this study, we investigated behavioral differences between C57BL/6 J (B6 J) and C57BL/6 N (B6 N) substrains in the formalin test, a widely used tonic inflammatory pain model, using a battery of pain-related phenotypes, including reflexive tests, nesting, voluntary wheel running, sucrose preference and anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark test at two different time points (1-h and 24-h). Our results show that these substrains did not differ in reflexive thermal and mechanical responses at the 1-h time point. However, B6 N substrain mice showed increased sensitivity to spontaneous pain-like behaviors. In addition, B6 N substrain continued to show higher levels of mechanical hypersensitivity compared to controls at 24-h. indicating that mechanical hypersensitivity is a more persistent pain-related phenotype induced by formalin. Finally, no sex differences were observed in our outcome measures. Our results provide a comprehensive behavioral testing paradigm in response to an inflammatory agent for future mouse genetic studies in pain.