title: Topical pregabalin and diclofenac for the treatment of neuropathic orofacial pain in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical treatment with pregabalin and diclofenac on neuropathic orofacial pain induced by infraorbital nerve injury in the rat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats underwent infraorbital nerve injury. Seven days after surgery, pain was verified and the rats randomly assigned to topical or systemic treatment with pregabalin or diclofenac, or to no treatment. Pain intensity and motor coordination were assessed at baseline, after surgery, and daily after treatment for 4 consecutive days. Medication plasma levels were assessed at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Topical treatment with 10% pregabalin or 5% diclofenac reduced the pain significantly. A significant decrease in motor coordination was found in the systemic pregabalin. The medications' plasma levels were significantly higher in the systemic treatment compared with the topical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical treatment with pregabalin or diclofenac can reduce neuropathic orofacial pain induced by nerve injury.
authors.affiliation: Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, New Jersey Dental School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA. plazadds@gmail.com
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Plaza-Villegas
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heir
authors.forename: Stanley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markman
authors.forename: Junad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Noboru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Noma
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benoliel
authors.forename: Jasma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eliav
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid