Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether pregabalin affects nociceptive behavior
and central sensitization in a trigeminal neuropathic pain model. A partial infraorbital
nerve transection (p-IONX) or sham operation was performed in adult male rats. Nociceptive
withdrawal thresholds were tested with von Frey filaments applied to the bilateral
vibrissal pads pre- and postoperatively. On postoperative day 7, the behavioral assessment
was conducted before and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after and 24 hours after
pregabalin (.1, 1, 10, 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or saline injection. The effects
of pregabalin or saline were also examined on the mechanoreceptive field and response
properties of nociceptive neurons recorded in the medullary dorsal horn at postoperative
days 7 to 10. Reduced withdrawal thresholds reflecting bilateral mechanical allodynia
were observed in p-IONX rats until postoperative day 28, but not in sham-operated
rats. At postoperative day 7, pregabalin significantly and dose-dependently reversed
the reduced mechanical withdrawal thresholds in p-IONX rats. Pregabalin also attenuated
central sensitization of the neurons, as reflected in reversal of their reduced activation
threshold, increased responses to pinch/pressure, and enhanced stimulus-response function.
This study provides the first documentation that pregabalin attenuates the mechanical
allodynia and central sensitization that characterize this trigeminal neuropathic
pain model, and supports its clinical use for treating craniofacial neuropathic pain.
Perspective
Trigeminal nerve injury in rats produced facial mechanical hypersensitivity and trigeminal
central sensitization of medullary dorsal horn neurons that were markedly attenuated
by systemically administered pregabalin, suggesting its potential clinical utility
for orofacial neuropathic pain.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 7,
2012
Received in revised form:
October 31,
2012
Received:
August 21,
2012
Footnotes
Supported by grants from Pfizer Canada, as well as Canadian Institutes of Health Research MOP grant 82831 and US National Institutes of Health grant DE04786. B.J.S. is the holder of a Canada Research Chair.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
