Antiallodynic effects of intrathecal tianeptine in a neuropathic pain rat |
Hai Lin, Hyung Gon Lee, Myung Ha Yoon |
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Medical School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea. mhyoon@chonnam.ac.kr 2Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea. |
Received: 6 September 2013 • Revised: 26 December 2013 |
Abstract |
BACKGROUND Tianeptine is an antidepressant drug which is used for treating depression. Interestingly, the tianeptine has shown antinociceptive effects within a variety of nociceptions. The aim of this study is to investigate the antiallodynic effects of tianeptine in neuropathic pain rats and also determine the involvements of serotonergic, alpha-2 adrenergic and adenosine receptors at the spinal level. METHODS Neuropathic pain was induced by ligation of left lumbar at 5th and 6th spinal nerves in male Sprague-Dawley rats. PE-10 catheters were placed into the thoracolumbar subarachnoid space for drug injections. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated by measuring the withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament when applying on the plantar surface of rats. The effects of intrathecal tianeptine were observed at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 minutes after delivery. Antagonists for serotonergic (dihydroergocristine), alpha-2 adrenergic (yohimbine) and adenosine (CGS 15943) receptors were intrathecally administered 10 minutes prior to tianeptine in order to evaluate the involvement of both receptors. RESULTS Intrathecal tianeptine increased dose-dependently at the withdrawal threshold in the ligated paw. Pretreatment with intrathecal dihydroergocristine, yohimbine and CGS 15943 antagonized the antiallodynic effects of tianeptine. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that intrathecal tianeptine attenuates the spinal nerve ligation induced tactile allodynia. Serotonergic, alpha-2 adrenergic and adenosine receptors are all involved in the antiallodynic effects of tianeptine at the spinal level. |
Key Words:
Adenosine receptor, Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor, Antiallodynia, Neuropathic pain, Serotonin receptor, Tianeptine |
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