title: Selective N-type neuronal voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocker, SNX-111, produces spinal antinociception in rat models of acute, persistent and neuropathic pain.
abstract: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of the selective N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel (VSCC) blocker, SNX-111, when the compound is administered spinally by either bolus injection or continuous, constant-rate infusion into the subarachnoid space. SNX-111 produced significant, dose-dependent antinociceptive effects by suppressing both the acute (phase 1: ED50, 14 ng/hr) and tonic (phase 2: ED50, 0.82 ng/hr) phases of the formalin test when it was infused for 72 hr immediately before testing. Phase 2 nociceptive responses were suppressed by bolus injections of 100 ng SNX-111. SNX-111 was approximately 1000-fold more potent than morphine in blocking phase 2 responses when the compounds were administered by intrathecal bolus injection. In rats with an experimentally induced painful peripheral neuropathy, intrathecal bolus injections of 30 to 300 ng SNX-111 blocked mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Subacute administration of SNX-111 (1, 10 and 100 ng/hr) by continuous intrathecal infusion produced a reversible blockade of mechanical allodynia without apparent development of tolerance. These results show that: 1) selective N-type VSCC blockers are potent and efficacious antinociceptive agents when they are administered by the spinal route; 2) selective N-type VSCC blockers are effective in rat models of acute, persistent and neuropathic pain; and 3) N-type VSCCs play a significant role in the spinal processing of noxious somatosensory input.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Neurex Corporation, Menlo Park, California, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bowersox
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gadbois
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pettus
authors.forename: Y X
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Luther
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D020960:omega-Conotoxins
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010455:Peptides; D020960:omega-Conotoxins; D005557:Formaldehyde; C078452:ziconotide