The antiallodynic action of pregabalin may depend on the suppression of spinal neuronal hyperexcitability in rats with spared nerve injury.
BACKGROUND
Pregabalin (PGB) is a novel antiepileptic drug and is also used as a first-line medication for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms of its analgesic effects remain largely unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antiallodynic action of PGB in rats with neuropathic pain.


METHODS
In a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury, mechanical allodynia, as a behavioural sign of neuropathic pain, was assessed by measuring 50% paw withdrawal threshold with von Frey filaments. Activities of dorsal horn wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons were examined by extracellular electrophysiological recording in vivo.


RESULTS
Spinal administration of PGB exerted a significant antiallodynic effect and a prominent inhibitory effect on the hypersensitivity of dorsal horn WDR neurons in rats with spared nerve injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The antiallodynic action of PGB is likely dependent on the suppression of WDR neuron hyperexcitability in rats with neuropathic pain.
Lei
L
Ding
Jie
J
Cai
Xiang-Yang
XY
Guo
Xiu-Li
XL
Meng
Guo-Gang
GG
Xing
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069583:Pregabalin; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid