Gabapentin reduces the mechanosensitivity of fine afferent nerve fibres in normal and inflamed rat knee joints.
The antiepileptic drug gabapentin has been shown to have an antihyperalgesic effect following central administration. This electrophysiological investigation examined whether peripherally administered gabapentin could modulate the mechanosensitivity of primary afferents innervating normal and kaolin/carrageenan inflamed rat knee joints. Close intraarterial injection of gabapentin (0.01, 1 and 100mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced afferent firing rate in both normal and acutely inflamed rat knees in response to normal and hyper-rotation of the joint. Thus, in addition to its central mode of action, peripheral administration of gabapentin reduces nociception locally and this may prove to be beneficial in the treatment of various pain syndromes including inflammatory arthritis.
Hanesch
Ulrike
U
Physiologisches Institut der Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany. ulrike.hanesch@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
Pawlak
Matthias
M
McDougall
Jason J
JJ
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000588:Amines; D000818:Animals; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000077206:Gabapentin; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin