title: A streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain model for static or dynamic mechanical allodynia and vulvodynia: validation using topical and systemic gabapentin.
abstract: Neuropathic vulvodynia is a state of vulval discomfort characterized by a burning sensation, diffuse pain, pruritus or rawness with an acute or chronic onset. Diabetes mellitus may cause this type of vulvar pain in several ways, so this study was conducted to evaluate streptozotocin-induced diabetes as a neuropathic pain model for vulvodynia in female rats. The presence of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg i.p.)-induced diabetes was initially verified by disclosure of pancreatic tissue degeneration, blood glucose elevation and body weight loss 5-29 days after a single treatment. Dynamic (shortened paw withdrawal latency to light brushing) and static (diminished von Frey filament threshold pressure) mechanical allodynia was then confirmed on the plantar foot surface. Subsequently, both static and dynamic vulvodynia was detected by application of the paradigm to the vulval region. Systemic gabapentin (75 mg/kg, i.p.) and topical gabapentin (10 % gel) were finally tested against allodynia and vulvodynia. Topical gabapentin and the control gel vehicle significantly increased paw withdrawal threshold in the case of the static allodynia model and also paw withdrawal latency in the model for dynamic allodynia when compared with the streptozotocin-pretreated group. Likewise, in the case of static and dynamic vulvodynia, there was a significant antivulvodynia effect of systemic and topical gabapentin treatment. These outcomes substantiate the value of this model not only for allodynia but also for vulvodynia, and this was corroborated by the findings not only with systemic but also with topical gabapentin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Gowhar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan. fazal_subhan@upesh.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Fazal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Subhan
authors.affiliation: Fulbright Graduate Student, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South, Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Muzaffar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Jehan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Ave., Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK. sewell@cardiff.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Robert D E
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Sewell
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007267:Injections; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin
keywords: Allodynia; Diabetic neuropathic pain; Gabapentin; Streptozotocin; Vulvodynia model