title: Application of calibrated forceps for assessing mechanical nociception with high time resolution in mice.
abstract: In order to investigate the basic physiological mechanisms of pain and the anti-nociceptive effects of analgesics, development of pain assays in mice is critical due to the advances of genetic manipulation techniques. The von Frey hairs/Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments test (von Frey test) has long been applied to examine mechanical nociception in mice. Though the von Frey test is a well-established and standardized method, it is inappropriate to assess a rapid change in the nociceptive threshold because voluntary resting/sleeping states are necessary to examine the response. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of calibrated forceps to determine the mechanical nociceptive threshold in mice. Repeated daily measurements of the threshold over 5 days indicated that the device obtained stable and reliable values. Furthermore, repeated measurements with 5 minute intervals revealed that the device detected the rapid change of the threshold induced by remifentanil, a short-acting μ-receptor agonist. These results indicate that the calibrated forceps are well-suited for measuring the mechanical nociceptive threshold in mice, and are useful in assessing the effects of short-acting analgesics on mechanical nociception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kashiwadani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanmura
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuwaki
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D005121:Extremities; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D059225:Nociception / Q000502:physiology*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077208:Remifentanil; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013623:Tail
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil