Mechanical Hyperalgesia (mechanical + hyperalgesia)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The Role of Central Hypersensitivity in the Determination of Intradiscal Mechanical Hyperalgesia in Discogenic Pain

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010
Juerg Schliessbach PhD
Abstract Objective., The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between central hypersensitivity (assessed by pressure pain thresholds of uninjured tissues) and intradiscal pain threshold during discography. The secondary aim was to test the hypothesis that peripheral noxious stimulation dynamically modulates central hypersensitivity. Patients., Twenty-four patients with positive provocation discography were tested for central hypersensitivity by pressure algometry before and after the intervention with assessments of pressure pain detection and tolerance thresholds. Intradiscal pain threshold was assessed by measuring intradiscal pressure at the moment of pain provocation during discography. Correlation analyses between intradiscal pain threshold and pressure algometry were made. For the secondary aim, pressure algometry data before and after discography were compared. Results., Significant correlation with intradiscal pain threshold was found for pressure pain detection threshold at the toe (regression coefficient: 0.03, P = 0.05) and pressure pain tolerance thresholds at the nonpainful point at the back (0.02, P = 0.024). Tolerance threshold at the toe was a significant predictor for intradiscal pain threshold only in multiple linear regression (0.036, P = 0.027). Detection as well as tolerance thresholds significantly decreased after discography at the painful and the nonpainful point at the back, but not at the toe. Conclusions., Central hypersensitivity may influence intradiscal pain threshold, but with a modest quantitative impact. The diagnostic value of provocation discography is therefore not substantially impaired. Regional, but not generalized central hypersensitivity is dynamically modulated by ongoing peripheral nociceptive input. [source]


Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate reduces inflammatory pain-like behaviour in mice: role of adenosine acting on A1 receptors

BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
DA Valério
Background and purpose:, D-Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) is an intermediate in the glycolytic pathway, exerting pharmacological actions on inflammation by inhibiting cytokine production or interfering with adenosine production. Here, the possible antinociceptive effect of FBP and its mechanism of action in the carrageenin paw inflammation model in mice were addressed, focusing on the two mechanisms described above. Experimental approach:, Mechanical hyperalgesia (decrease in the nociceptive threshold) was evaluated by the electronic pressure-metre test; cytokine levels were measured by elisa and adenosine was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Key results:, Pretreatment of mice with FBP reduced hyperalgesia induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenin (up to 54%), tumour necrosis factor , (40%), interleukin-1 , (46%), CXCL1 (33%), prostaglandin E2 (41%) or dopamine (55%). However, FBP treatment did not alter carrageenin-induced cytokine (tumour necrosis factor , and interleukin-1 ,) or chemokine (CXCL1) production. On the other hand, the antinociceptive effect of FBP was prevented by systemic and intraplantar treatment with an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine), suggesting that the FBP effect is mediated by peripheral adenosine acting on A1 receptors. Giving FBP to mice increased adenosine levels in plasma, and adenosine treatment of paw inflammation presented a similar antinociceptive mechanism to that of FBP. Conclusions and implications:, In addition to anti-inflammatory action, FBP also presents an antinociceptive effect upon inflammatory hyperalgesia. Its mechanism of action seems dependent on adenosine production but not on modulation of hyperalgesic cytokine/chemokine production. In turn, adenosine acts peripherally on its A1 receptor inhibiting hyperalgesia. FBP may have possible therapeutic applications in reducing inflammatory pain. [source]


GDNF hyperalgesia is mediated by PLC,, MAPK/ERK, PI3K, CDK5 and Src family kinase signaling and dependent on the IB4-binding protein versican

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2008
Oliver Bogen
Abstract The function of the isolectin B4 (IB4+)-binding and GDNF-dependent Ret (Ret+)-expressing non-peptidergic subpopulation of nociceptors remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that acute administration of GDNF sensitizes nociceptors and produces mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat. Intrathecal IB4,saporin, a selective toxin for IB4+/Ret+ -nociceptors, attenuates GDNF but not NGF hyperalgesia. Conversely, intrathecal antisense to Trk A attenuated NGF but not GDNF hyperalgesia. Intrathecal administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting mRNA for versican, the molecule that renders the Ret-expressing nociceptors IB4-positive (+), also attenuated GDNF but not NGF hyperalgesia, as did ADAMTS-4, a matrix metalloprotease known to degrade versican. Finally, inhibitors for all five signaling pathways known to be activated by GDNF at GFR,1/Ret: PLC,, CDK5, PI3K, MAPK/ERK and Src family kinases, attenuated GDNF hyperalgesia. Our results demonstrate a role of the non-peptidergic nociceptors in pain produced by the neurotrophin GDNF and suggest that the IB4-binding protein versican functions in the expression of this phenotype. [source]


GPR30 estrogen receptor agonists induce mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 7 2008
Julia Kuhn
Abstract We evaluated the signalling pathway by which estrogen acts in peripheral tissue to produce protein kinase C, (PKC,)-dependent mechanical hyperalgesia. Specific agonists for the classical estrogen receptors (ER), ER, and ER,, did not result in activation of PKC, in neurons of dissociated rat dorsal root ganglia. In contrast, G-1, a specific agonist of the recently identified G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor, GPR30, induced PKC, translocation. Involvement of GPR30 and independence of ER, and ER, was confirmed using the GPR30 agonist and simultaneous ER, and ER, antagonist ICI 182,780 (fulvestrant). The GPR30 transcript could be amplified from dorsal root ganglia tissue. We found estrogen-induced as well as GPR30-agonist-induced PKC, translocation to be restricted to the subgroup of nociceptive neurons positive for isolectin IB4 from Bandeiraea simplicifolia. Corroborating the cellular results, both GPR30 agonists, G-1 as well as ICI 182,780, resulted in the onset of PKC,-dependent mechanical hyperalgesia if injected into paws of adult rats. We therefore suggest that estrogen acts acutely at GPR30 in nociceptors to produce mechanical hyperalgesia. [source]


Rapid co-release of interleukin 1, and caspase 1 in spinal cord inflammation

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2006
Anna K. Clark
Abstract Mounting evidence supports the hypothesis that pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by astrocytes and microglia modulate nociceptive function in the injured CNS and following peripheral nerve damage. Here we examine the involvement of interleukin-1, (IL-1,) and microglia activation in nociceptive processing in rat models of spinal cord inflammation. Following application of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to an ex vivo dorsal horn slice preparation, we observed rapid secretion of IL-1, which was prevented by inhibition of glial cell metabolism and by inhibitors of either p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or caspase 1. LPS superfusion also induced rapid secretion of active caspase 1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain from the isolated dorsal horn. Extensive microglial cell activation in the dorsal horn, as determined by immunoreactivity for phosphorylated p38 MAPK, was found to correlate with the occurrence of IL-1, secretion. In behavioural studies, intrathecal injection of LPS in the lumbar spinal cord produced mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat hind-paws which was attenuated by concomitant injections of a p38 MAPK inhibitor, a caspase 1 inhibitor or the rat recombinant interleukin 1 receptor antagonist. These data suggest a critical role for the cytokine IL-1, and caspase 1 rapidly released by activated microglia in enhancing nociceptive transmission in spinal cord inflammation. [source]


Characterization of VR1 within the BMBF-Leitproject: ,Molecular Pain Research'

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2003
R. Jostock
The vanilloid receptor VR1 is a ligand, heat and proton gated ion channel, expressed predominantly by primary sensory neurons. We show the molecular characterization of VR1 and its involvement in nociceptive behavior. Biochemical analysis of VR1 showed glycosylation at N604 and the predicted tetrameric structure. Reduced pH potentiated the gating of the receptor by NADA and anandamide in recombinant VR1. Acidification could sensitize VR1 and lead to hyperalgesia. Therefore, the VR1 antagonist capsazepine was tested in several animal models. Capsazepine reduced formalin induced nocifensive behavior and CFA induced mechanical hyperalgesia, and was antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic in animal models of neuropathic pain. VR1 antisense oligonucleotides inhibited VR1 expression in vitro and reduced tactile allodynia in vivo. In conclusion, we could provide evidence for a role of VR1 in inflammatory and neuropathic pain pathways. [source]


Abstracts of the 8th Meeting of the Italian Peripheral Nerve Study Group: 21

JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2003
R Bianchi
Erythropoietin (EPO) has neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects and its efficacy and safety has been demonstrated in patients with ischemic stroke. We investigated its efficacy in preventing and reversing established nerve disorders in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes. After STZ injection (60 mg/kg/ip), EPO (5000 units/kg b.w. i.p. three times a week) was started in a group of rats and continued for five weeks (prevention schedule). In another group of diabetic rats, EPO was started six weeks after STZ, continued for five weeks (therapeutic schedule). Groups of non-diabetic control rats were similarly treated. Antidromic nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the tail was assessed at five weeks for all groups and at 11 weeks for the therapeutic schedule. Compared to non-diabetic rats, NCV was 21% lower (P < 0.001) at five weeks in the STZ group, EPO partially prevented this decrease (14% lower than with non-diabetic controls), with a significant difference from the untreated-diabetic group (P < 0.01). After six weeks of uncontrolled diabetes, at the beginning of therapeutic EPO, NCV was reduced by 23% and after 11 weeks by 40%, EPO efficacy was confirmed. Thermal (hot plate method) and mechanical (Randall-Selitto method) nociceptive thresholds were monitored weekly throughout the study. In addition, in all groups, the density of intra-epidermal nerve fibers, which reflects possible degeneration of somatic unmyelinated fibers, was assessed in the hindpaw using protein-gene-product 9.5 immunostaining. Rats developed mechanical hyperalgesia within two weeks after STZ injection. Both the prevention and therapeutic schedules of EPO reduced diabetic hyperalgesia after two weeks of treatment, reaching statistical significance at fur, and five weeks of treatment, with no such effect in non-diabetic controls. Hindpaw thermal response latencies were significantly (P < 0.001) increased in untreated diabetic rats compared with untreated controls. EPO had no effect on these latencies in control rats but partially prevented the increase in diabetic rats, so the values were still different from controls, but significantly different from untreated diabetics at four and five weeks in both the prevention and therapeutic studies (P < 0.05). These observations extend the therapeutic utility of EPO and highlight its potential for treating established diabetic neuropathies. [source]


Insulin Is Essential for the Recovery from Allodynia Induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 9 2010
Gregory P. Casey PhD
Abstract Objective., To determine the effect of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on the development and recovery of thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia associated with inflammation induced by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Background., The response to nociceptive injury in diabetes differs from that seen in normal individuals in that diabetic patients have increased susceptibility to infections and recover slowly or incompletely from infections and tissue injury due to an abnormal inflammatory response. We have chosen to examine the effect of STZ-induced hypoinsulinemia on the hyperalgesia associated with the enhanced inflammatory state that is induced by the subcutaneous injection of CFA to delineate the potential role of insulin in the development of chronic pain. Methods., STZ- and vehicle-treated Sprague-Dawley rats were tested using thermal and mechanical stimulation after subcutaneous injection of CFA. The behavioral response was compared with that similarly determined in non-diabetic controls and insulin-depleted rats that received insulin replacement. Results., Recovery of the thermal hyperalgesic response to baseline levels occurred over a period of 9,14 days, but the allodynic response to mechanical stimulation persisted for the duration of the study in STZ-treated rats. Insulin replacement prevented the delay in recovery of mechanical allodynia, but had no obvious effect on nociception in uninflamed tissue. Conclusions., Normal insulin function is essential for recovery from mechanical allodynia associated with inflammation induced by CFA. Altered insulin metabolism may selectively influence fiber-type specific mechanisms related to mechanical allodynia associated with inflammation and wound healing. [source]


Bradyzide, a potent non-peptide B2 bradykinin receptor antagonist with long-lasting oral activity in animal models of inflammatory hyperalgesia

BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2000
Gillian M Burgess
Bradyzide is from a novel class of rodent-selective non-peptide B2 bradykinin antagonists (1-(2-Nitrophenyl)thiosemicarbazides). Bradyzide has high affinity for the rodent B2 receptor, displacing [3H]-bradykinin binding in NG108-15 cells and in Cos-7 cells expressing the rat receptor with KI values of 0.51±0.18 nM (n=3) and 0.89±0.27 nM (n=3), respectively. Bradyzide is a competitive antagonist, inhibiting B2 receptor-induced 45Ca efflux from NG108-15 cells with a pKB of 8.0±0.16 (n=5) and a Schild slope of 1.05. In the rat spinal cord and tail preparation, bradyzide inhibits bradykinin-induced ventral root depolarizations (IC50 value; 1.6±0.05 nM (n=3)). Bradyzide is much less potent at the human than at the rodent B2 receptor, displacing [3H]-bradykinin binding in human fibroblasts and in Cos-7 cells expressing the human B2 receptor with KI values of 393±90 nM (n=3) and 772±144 nM (n=3), respectively. Bradyzide inhibits bradykinin-induced [3H]-inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation with IC50 values of 11.6±1.4 nM (n=3) at the rat and 2.4±0.3 ,M (n=3) at the human receptor. Bradyzide does not interact with a range of other receptors, including human and rat B1 bradykinin receptors. Bradyzide is orally available and blocks bradykinin-induced hypotension and plasma extravasation. Bradyzide shows long-lasting oral activity in rodent models of inflammatory hyperalgesia, reversing Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat knee joint (ED50, 0.84 ,mol kg,1; duration of action >4 h). It is equipotent with morphine and diclofenac, and 1000 times more potent than paracetamol, its maximal effect exceeding that of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bradyzide does not exhibit tolerance when administered over 6 days. In summary, bradyzide is a potent, orally active, antagonist of the B2 bradykinin receptor, with selectivity for the rodent over the human receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology (2000) 129, 77,86; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0703012 [source]