A behavioral model of neuropathic pain induced by ligation of the common peroneal nerve in mice.
Different laboratory animal models of neuropathic pain that replicate pathophysiological changes in patients have been developed. In most animal models of neuropathic pain, both sensory and motor nerves are injured. Thus, animals usually show both abnormal sensory and motor responses. Assessment of the sensory system is likely to be affected by the motor defects, although motor functions have not been evaluated in previous neuropathic pain models. An ideal neuropathic pain model to assess behavioral nociceptive responses in animals is one without affecting motor function and without muscle injury. Here, we report a novel mouse model of neuropathic pain with normal motor functions. Ligation of the common peroneal nerve near the head of fibula was performed by a less invasive procedure. Long-lasting behavioral allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia was observed in mice after the ligation. Furthermore, behavioral allodynia is resistant to morphine treatment at 5 mg/kg body weight, as reported in some cases of neuropathic pain. Standard rotarod test analysis confirmed intact motor functions. Our results show that ligation of the common peroneal nerve can be used as an efficacious mouse model for assessing behavioral nociceptive responses in neuropathic pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Tests to assess behavioral responses in a neuropathic pain model depend on intact motor functions. Here we report a less invasive procedure to ligate common peroneal nerve of leg to induce neuropathic pain with least motor defects.
Vadakkan
Kunjumon Ittira
KI
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jia
Yong Heng
YH
Zhuo
Min
M
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008026:Ligation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000201:enzymology
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; C022734:thiamine monophosphatase; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases