Anti-allodynic effects of levodopa in neuropathic rats.
OBJECTIVE
Levodopa is the most effective anti-Parkinsonian agent. It has also been known to exhibit analgesic properties in laboratory and clinical settings. However, studies evaluating its effects on neuropathic pain are limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the anti-allodynic effects of levodopa in neuropathic rats.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley male rats underwent the surgical procedure for L5 and L6 spinal nerves ligation. Sixty neuropathic rats were randomly divided into 6 groups for the oral administration of distilled water and levodopa at 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. We co-administered carbidopa with levodopa to prevent peripheral synthesis of dopamine from levodopa, and observed tactile, cold, and heat allodynia pre-administration, and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min after drug administration. We also measured locomotor function of neuropathic rats using rotarod test to examine whether levodopa caused side effects or not.


RESULTS
Distilled water group didn't show any difference in all allodynia. For the levodopa groups (10-100 mg/kg), tactile and heat withdrawal thresholds were increased, and cold withdrawal frequency was decreased dose-dependently (p<0.01). In addition, levodopa induced biphasic analgesia. Different dosage of levodopa did not impact on the rotarod time (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Levodopa reversed tactile, cold and heat allodynia in neuropathic rat without any side effects.
Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, Korea.
Hue Jung
HJ
Park
Hwan Seok
HS
Joo
Young Hoon
YH
Kim
Ou-Kyoung
OK
Kwon
Jaemin
J
Lee
Eun Sung
ES
Kim
Dong Eon
DE
Moon
D000818:Animals; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa