title: Investigation into the role of P2X(3)/P2X(2/3) receptors in neuropathic pain following chronic constriction injury in the rat: an electrophysiological study.
abstract: 1. Two P2X(3)/P2X(2/3) receptor antagonists with different potencies were profiled electrophysiologically in a rat model of nerve injury. 2. A-317491 has poor CNS penetrance (blood:brain, 1:<0.05), and was therefore administered intravenously in chronic constriction injury (CCI)- and sham-operated rats to study the involvement of P2X(3) subunit-containing receptors in the periphery in neuropathic pain. A-317491 and Compound A were administered topically to the spinal cord to investigate the central contribution. 3. There were no significant inhibitory effects of A-317491 intravenous (i.v.) seen in sham-operated animals compared to vehicle controls. In CCI-operated animals, there were significant inhibitory effects of 3 mg kg(-1) A-317491 i.v. on C fibre-evoked responses, and with 10 mg kg(-1) A-317491 i.v. on A delta and C fibre-evoked responses. No significant effects of A-317491 were observed after topical application to the spinal cord. In contrast, when Compound A was administered spinally in CCI animals, there was a decrease in A delta and C fibre-evoked responses, and wind up. 4. These changes indicate that A-317491 has a selective effect on neuronal responses in CCI animals compared to sham, demonstrating an increased involvement of P2X(3)/P2X(2/3) receptors in sensory signalling following nerve injury. In addition, the more potent antagonist Compound A was effective spinally, unmasking a potential central role of P2X(3)/P2X(2/3) receptors at this site post nerve injury. These data support a role for P2X(3)/P2X(2/3) antagonists in the modulation of neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: Pain Department, Neurology and GI CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW. Caroline.J.Sharp@gsk.com
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reeve
authors.forename: Sue D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Jo C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Martindale
authors.forename: Scott G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Summerfield
authors.forename: Becky S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: Simon T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Bate
authors.forename: Iain P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Chessell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010636:Phenols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2 / Q000502:physiology*; D058476:Receptors, Purinergic P2X2; D058477:Receptors, Purinergic P2X3; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C470346:A-317491; C546403:P2rx2 protein, rat; C546410:P2rx3 protein, rat; D010636:Phenols; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2; D058476:Receptors, Purinergic P2X2; D058477:Receptors, Purinergic P2X3