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Biomedical subjects

Allison Reid

Publications and source records attributed to Allison Reid.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Pain behaviors produced by capsaicin: influence of inflammatory mediators and nerve injury.

UNLABELLED: The present study was undertaken to characterize spontaneous (ie, nonevoked) pain behaviors (flinching, biting/licking) produced by local injections of capsaicin into the rat hindpaw as a model of chemogenic pain, and to determine effects of inflammatory mediators and nerve injury on such behaviors. Capsaicin antagonists are a potential class of novel topical analgesics, and this model may be of value for preclinical screening of novel compounds. Local injections of capsaicin (0.1-30 microg) into the hindpaw produced flinching and biting/licking behaviors over 5 min, and these were reduced by capsazepine, a competitive antagonist for capsaicin at the TRPV1 receptor. Coadministration of noradrenaline (NA), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) augmented capsaicin-evoked responses primarily by extending the duration of behaviors. Partial sciatic nerve ligation decreased flinching produced by capsaicin alone, by capsaicin in combination with each of NA, PGE(2), and 5-HT, and by formalin. Tibial nerve injury also reduced capsaicin-evoked flinching, and responses to formalin, but spinal nerve ligation did not affect either. These results indicate that (1) spontaneous pain behaviors occur as a result of TRPV1 receptor activation with a different time course than evoked responses, (2) inflammatory mediators augment capsaicin-evoked pain behaviors, and (3) various forms of nerve injury produce different effects on capsaicin-evoked pain behaviors. PERSPECTIVE: The VR1 receptor is a potential target for development of novel topical analgesics. This study characterized pain behaviors produced by local injections of capsaicin in the presence of inflammatory mediators and following various forms of nerve injury. Results are of interest for the preclinical screening of novel VR1 receptor antagonists.

Animals↗

Peripheral interactions between dextromethorphan, ketamine and amitriptyline on formalin-evoked behaviors and paw edema in rats.

The local, peripheral administration of antidepressants and excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists can cause analgesia in a number of conditions. The present study examined the effects of combinations of dextromethorphan and ketamine, two clinically used N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, with amitriptyline on formalin-evoked behaviors and paw edema. Pretreatment with amitriptyline or dextromethorphan (10-300 nmol) resulted in suppression of flinching behaviors induced by 2.5% formalin, but ketamine had no intrinsic effect. Combination of an inactive dose of dextromethorphan with amitriptyline, and vice versa, resulted in an increase of analgesia so that previously inactive doses now caused significant analgesia. Combinations of multiple doses of ketamine with amitriptyline did not modify the response to amitriptyline. Both dextromethorphan and ketamine increased the paw edema induced by formalin, and this was blocked by low doses of amitriptyline. In the absence of formalin, amitriptyline (1-100 nmol) caused a dose-related suppression of the paw edema produced by dextromethorphan and ketamine. Amitriptyline also blocked paw edema produced by 5-hydroxytryptamine and compound 48/80. Each of the drugs used in this study exerts multiple pharmacological effects. Increased analgesia by drug combinations (amitriptyline/dextromethorphan) could show the involvement of a number of these mechanisms (e.g. NMDA receptor blockade, blockage of sodium channels, blockage of biogenic amine receptors), while a lack of intensification (amitriptyline/ketamine) could reflect occluded actions due to expression of similar actions by the other drug. Paw edema induced by dextromethorphan and ketamine involves inhibition of biogenic amine reuptake, and the ability of amitriptyline to block biogenic amine receptors likely accounts for its inhibiton of these actions. Combinations of these particular agents could represent a method for augmented analgesia and minimization of local adverse reactions.

Amitriptyline↗

Peripheral antihyperalgesic and analgesic actions of ketamine and amitriptyline in a model of mild thermal injury in the rat.

UNLABELLED: In this study, we examined antihyperalgesic and analgesic actions after local peripheral administration of ketamine and amitriptyline in a rat model of mild thermal injury. Exposure of the hindpaw to 52 degrees C for 45 s under anesthesia produced a subsequent thermal hyperalgesia lasting at least 2 h. The local peripheral administration of ketamine (100-1000 nmol) 15 min before the thermal injury produced an antihyperalgesic effect when injected into the ipsilateral paw, whereas amitriptyline produced both antihyperalgesic (300 nmol) and analgesic (1000 nmol) effects. Administered after the thermal injury, ketamine had no effect, whereas amitriptyline retained its analgesic but not its antihyperalgesic effect. Amitriptyline (300 and 1000 nmol) produced an analgesic action when administered into the normal nonsensitized hindpaw. Both drugs increase paw volume, particularly at larger doses; biogenic amines are not involved in the action of amitriptyline, as was shown previously for ketamine. These results indicate that (a) ketamine produces antihyperalgesia, but not analgesia, when administered locally with a mild thermal injury model; (b) amitriptyline produces both antihyperalgesia and analgesia when administered locally; and (c) the increase in paw volume produced by these drugs occurs by different mechanisms. IMPLICATIONS: This study examines the pain-relieving properties of the local peripheral administration of ketamine and amitriptyline, two drugs in current clinical use, in a thermal injury model of hyperalgesia and demonstrates both antihyperalgesic and analgesic properties. These observations provide support for their potential use as local (e.g., topical) analgesics.

Administration, Topical↗

Modulation of formalin-induced behaviors and edema by local and systemic administration of dextromethorphan, memantine and ketamine.

The present study examined the effects of local peripheral and systemic administration of three clinically used excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists (dextromethorphan, memantine, ketamine) on pain behaviors and edema produced by formalin (1.5% and 5%) in rats. Peripheral administration of dextromethorphan produced a locally mediated suppression of flinching behaviors induced by 1.5% and 5% formalin, but biting/licking behaviors were not affected. Memantine and ketamine had no effect on either of these behaviors. All three agents augmented edema produced by 1.5% and 5% formalin. When administered alone, dextromethorphan, memantine and ketamine produced an intrinsic paw swelling response, and this was blocked by the biogenic amine receptor antagonists mepyramine, phentolamine, methysergide and ketanserin. Following systemic administration, all three agents suppressed biting/licking behaviors, had no effect on flinching behaviors, and suppressed paw swelling induced by 5% formalin to varying degrees. These results provide evidence for a peripherally mediated antinociceptive action of dextromethorphan in the rat formalin test, but this may not necessarily be due to block of excitatory amino acid receptors as it is not observed with memantine or ketamine. All three agents produce a peripherally mediated paw swelling, which is likely due to blockade of biogenic amine reuptake. Systemic administration of all three agents produces antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions that may be due to block of excitatory amino acid receptors in the spinal cord.

Animals↗

Antinociception by tricyclic antidepressants in the rat formalin test: differential effects on different behaviours following systemic and spinal administration.

The present study (1) examined analgesic effects of systemically and spinally administered antidepressants (ADs) on phase 2 flinching and biting/licking behaviours in the rat formalin test, a model considered to be of greater relevance to clinical pain than acute threshold tests, and (2) determined whether motor or anti-inflammatory effects contributed to such actions. Systemic administration of amitriptyline (3-20 mg/kg) produced a dose-related enhancement of flinching behaviours, while at the same time suppressing biting/licking behaviours. Imipramine (except for 20 mg/kg), nortriptyline, desipramine and fluoxetine had no significant effect on flinching behaviours, while producing a dose-related suppression of biting/licking behaviours. When administered spinally, either by acute lumbar puncture or via chronically implanted intrathecal cannulas, amitriptyline similarly augmented flinching behaviours. When given by lumbar puncture, amitriptyline suppressed biting/licking behaviours, but when intrathecal cannulas were used, this behaviour was not expressed in the formalin group. Other ADs also suppressed biting/licking behaviours without affecting flinching when given by lumbar puncture. Effects on paw volume were determined at the end of behavioural testing. Systemic administration of all ADs produced a dose-related reduction in paw volume. Spinal administration of nortriptyline by lumbar puncture also reduced paw volume, but for other agents, the reduction was not significant. Motor effects were noted qualitatively throughout these experiments, and considered in relation to nociceptive behaviours. These results indicate (a) a marked dissociation between the effects of systemic ADs on flinching and biting/licking behaviours in the formalin test, (b) spinal efficacy of ADs that essentially reproduces effects seen with systemic administration when given by lumbar puncture, (c) a lack of causality between anti-inflammatory effects of ADs and their analgesic properties in the formalin test, and (d) a contribution of motor effects to analgesic actions at higher doses affecting biting/licking but not flinching behaviours.

Amitriptyline↗

Peripheral antinociceptive effect of an adenosine kinase inhibitor, with augmentation by an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, in the rat formalin test.

This study examined the ability of an adenosine kinase inhibitor (5'-amino-5'-deoxyadenosine; NH2dAD), an adenosine deaminase inhibitor (2'-deoxycoformycin), and combinations of these agents to produce a peripheral modulation of the pain signal in the low concentration formalin model. Drugs were administered in combination with 0.5% formalin, or into the contralateral hindpaw to test for systemic effects, and episodes of flinching behaviors determined. Coadministration of NH2dAD 0.1-100 nmol with formalin produced antinociception as revealed by an inhibition of flinching behaviors. This action was peripherally mediated as it was not seen following contralateral administration of the NH2dAD, and was due to accumulation of adenosine and activation of cell surface adenosine receptors as it was blocked by the adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine. Antinociception was intensity-dependent, as it was not seen when higher concentrations of formalin (0.75%, 1.5%) were used. The coadministration of the selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine revealed the presence of an inhibitory tone of adenosine when the intrinsic antinociceptive effect of NH2dAD was obscured by the solvent or the stimulus intensity. 2'-Deoxycoformycin 0.1-100 nmol did not produce any intrinsic effect, but 100 nmol coadministered with low concentrations of NH2dAD, which lacked an intrinsic effect, augmented antinociception by NH2dAD. Again, this was a peripheral rather than a systemic response. The combined action of the adenosine kinase and deaminase inhibitors was completely reversed by coadministration of caffeine. Antinociception with NH2dAD is observed at higher concentrations of formalin in second trial experiments. This study demonstrates a peripheral antinociceptive action mediated by endogenous adenosine which accumulates following the peripheral inhibition of adenosine kinase; this action is due to activation of an adenosine A1 receptor.

Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors↗

Desipramine potentiates spinal antinociception by 5-hydroxytryptamine, morphine and adenosine.

The effects of pretreatment with desipramine, a selective noradrenaline (NA) uptake blocker, on spinal antinociception by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), morphine and an adenosine analog (NECA) in the rat hot-plate test were examined to determine if endogenous NA is involved in the spinal action of these agents. Desipramine, 25 mg/kg, had no significant intrinsic effect in the hot-plate test but potentiated spinal antinociception by NA and 5-HT. Potentiation was more prominent at higher doses of NA and 5-HT. Desipramine also enhanced the action of morphine and NECA, but, in these instances, the greatest enhancement occurred at lower doses. These results, in conjunction with others, suggest that 5-HT releases NA from the spinal cord while morphine and NECA interact synergistically with endogenously released NA.

Adenosine↗