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Pharmacological modulation of secondary mediator systems--cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP--on inflammatory hyperalgesia.

1. The objective of the present paper was to evaluate the relevance of neuronal balance of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP concentration for functional regulation of nociceptor sensitivity during inflammation. 2. Injection of PGE2 (10-100 ng paw-1) evoked a dose-dependent hyperalgesic effect which was mediated via a cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase (PKA) inasmuch as hyperalgesia was blocked by the PKA inhibitor H89. 3. The PDE4 inhibitor rolipram and RP73401, but not PDE3 and PDE5 inhibitors potentiated the hyperalgesic effects of PGE2. The hyperalgesic effect of dopamine was also enhanced by rolipram. Moreover, rolipram significantly potentiated hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, bradykinin, TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8. This suggests that neuronal cyclic AMP mediates the prostanoid and sympathetic components of mechanical hyperalgesia. Moreover, in the neuron cyclic AMP is mainly metabolized by PDE4. 4. To examine the role of the NO/cyclic GMP pathway in modulating mechanical hyperalgesia, we tested the effects of the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ. This substance counteracts the inhibitory effects of the NO donor, SNAP, on the hyperalgesia induced by PGE2. 5. The ODQ potentiated hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, bradykinin, TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8. In contrast, ODQ had no significant effect on the hyperalgesia induced by PGE2 and dopamine. This indicates that the hyperalgesic cytokines may activate soluble guanylate cyclase, which down-regulate the ability of these substances to cause hyperalgesia. This event appears not to be mediated by prostaglandin or dopamine. 6. In conclusion, the results presented in this paper confirm an association between (i) hyperalgesia and elevated levels of cyclic AMP as well as (ii) antinociception and elevated levels of cyclic GMP. The intracellular levels of cyclic AMP that enhance hyperalgesia are controlled by the PDE4 isoform and appear to result in activation of protein kinase A whereas the intracellular levels of cyclic GMP results from activation of a soluble guanylate cyclase.

Animals↗

Modulation of bradykinin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat by activity in abdominal vagal afferents.

Bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation and mechanical hyperalgesia are sympathetic-dependent components of inflammation. Noxious stimulation has been found to inhibit bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation by activating the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. The sensitivity of this nociceptive-neuroendocrine feedback control of inflammation is modulated by activity in subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that activity in the subdiaphragmatic vagus also modifies bradykinin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat, using the Randall-Selitto method. Following subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, the baseline paw-withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation decreased and bradykinin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was enhanced. Mechanical hyperalgesia produced by prostaglandin E2, a direct-acting hyperalgesic agent, was not significantly affected by vagotomy. The effect of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy on bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia, but not on baseline paw-withdrawal threshold, was mimicked by coeliac branch vagotomy. Indomethacin blocked the hyperalgesia in normal rats, but not in vagotomized rats, suggesting that bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia in normal rats is mediated by prostaglandins, whose role was unexpectedly diminished after vagotomy. Bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia in normal rats was abolished by lumbar sympathectomy but not by sympathetic decentralization (cutting the preganglionic axons). In rats that were both vagotomized and sympathectomized, hyperalgesia induced by low-dose bradykinin was no longer present. These results demonstrate that vagotomy induces a decrease in baseline mechanical paw-withdrawal threshold and an enhancement of bradykinin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and suggest that these phenomena are generated by actions in peripheral tissues.

Animals↗

Heat and mechanical hyperalgesia induced by capsaicin. Cross modality threshold modulation in human C nociceptors.

Quantitative thermal and mechanical algometry was studied in 4 human subjects exposed to various concentrations of capsaicin administered topically to the skin of the palm or forearm. Treated skin patches were assessed for changes in heat pain threshold and in mechanical pain threshold at various controlled temperatures. The results showed that: (1) in addition to heat hyperalgesia, capsaicin consistently induces overt mechanical hyperalgesia; (2) thermal and mechanical hyperalgesias are linearly dependent on the log of capsaicin dose; (3) mechanical hyperalgesia is increased by increasing skin temperature; (4) mechanical hyperalgesia is abolished by cooling the skin to a point about 10 degrees C below the threshold for heat pain, a temperature that does not impair touch or sharp pain sensation. These sensory effects of capsaicin are mediated by C fibres, since dissociated A fibre block established by compression-ischaemia does not abolish either spontaneous pain or mechanical hyperalgesia. In addition, abolition of mechanical hyperalgesia by cooling persists during A fibre block. Cooling thus appears to act directly, presumably decreasing hyperexcitability of the C nociceptor. Hyperalgesia is also transiently depressed for at least 30 min during the postischaemic period, well beyond the duration of paraesthesiae or overt hyperaemia. Sensory changes identical to those induced experimentally by capsaicin have been observed in patients with a particular variety of neuropathic pain (ABC syndrome) and have been termed polymodal hyperalgesia and cross modality threshold modulation (Ochoa, 1986; Ochoa et al., 1987). Based on these overall observations, it is postulated here that the sensory abnormalities induced by capsaicin and those observed in this particular variety of patients relate to primary hyperalgesia and share a common mechanism in that the excitable receptor membrane of polymodal C nociceptors behaves as if it 'misreads' temperature.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

The effects of intradermal fentanyl and ketamine on capsaicin-induced secondary hyperalgesia and flare reaction.

UNLABELLED: In this study, we evaluated the effects of intradermal fentanyl and ketamine on capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia and axon-reflex flare. In addition, we obtained dose-response curves for possible local anesthetic effects. Saline (200 microL) and either fentanyl (1 microg or 10 microg in 200 microL) or ketamine (100 microg or 1000 microg in 200 microL) were injected simultaneously into the central volar forearm of 12 healthy volunteers. Nine minutes later, capsaicin (10 microg in 20 microL) was injected intracutaneously exactly between the two injection sites. Areas of touch-evoked allodynia and pinprick hyperalgesia, as well as intensity of pinprick hyperalgesia at the injection sites and axon-reflex flare, were evaluated. Fentanyl did not affect the area or intensity of secondary hyperalgesia. Only the larger concentration of fentanyl locally diminished axon-reflex flare without affecting mechanical detection thresholds. Inhibitory effects of ketamine on intensity of secondary hyperalgesia and axon reflex flare were observed only in the larger concentration. However, this concentration also clearly elevated mechanical detection thresholds. No inhibitory effects of ketamine in the smaller concentrations were observed. We conclude that fentanyl inhibits neuropeptide release on peripheral application without modulating secondary hyperalgesia. Ketamine failed to inhibit both secondary hyperalgesia and axon reflex flare as long as nonlocal anesthetic concentrations were applied. IMPLICATIONS: We investigated the peripheral effects of fentanyl and ketamine on capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia and axon-reflex flare. In large concentrations, the opioid diminished axon-reflex flare without effects on secondary hyperalgesia. We found no evidence for the involvement of endogenous glutamate in secondary hyperalgesia or axon reflex flare.

Adult↗

Isoflurane hyperalgesia is modulated by nicotinic inhibition.

BACKGROUND: The inhaled anesthetic isoflurane inhibits neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at concentrations lower than those used for anesthesia. Isoflurane produces biphasic nociceptive responses, with both hyperalgesia and analgesia within this concentration range. Because nicotinic agonists act as analgesics, the authors hypothesized that inhibition of nicotinic transmission by isoflurane causes hyperalgesia. METHODS: The authors studied female mice at 6-8 weeks of age. They measured hind paw withdrawal latency at isoflurane concentrations from 0 to 0.98 vol% after the animals had received a nicotinic agonist (nicotine), a nicotinic antagonist (mecamylamine or chlorisondamine), or saline intraperitoneally. In addition, the authors tested the interactions between mecamylamine and isoflurane and nicotine and isoflurane in heterologously expressed alpha(4)beta(2) nAChRs. RESULTS: Female mice had significant hyperalgesia from isoflurane. Nicotine administration prevented isoflurane-induced hyperalgesia without altering the antinociception produced by higher isoflurane concentrations. Mecamylamine treatment caused a biphasic nociceptive response similar to that caused by isoflurane. Mecamylamine and isoflurane had an additive effect, both at heterologously expressed alpha(4)beta(2) nAChRs and on the production of hyperalgesia in vivo. Mecamylamine thus potentiated hyperalgesia but did not affect analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: Since hyperalgesia occurs in vivo at isoflurane doses that antagonize nAChRs in vitro, is prevented by a nicotinic agonist, and is mimicked and potentiated by nicotinic antagonists, the authors conclude that isoflurane inhibition of nAChRs activation is involved in the pathway that causes hyperalgesia. At subanesthetic doses, isoflurane can either enhance pain responses (produce hyperalgesia) or be analgesic (antinociceptive). In rats, low volatile anesthetic concentrations (0.1-0.2 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC]) elicit hyperalgesia, while 0.4-0.6 MAC elicits antinociception.

Animals↗

Different mechanisms of development and maintenance of experimental incision-induced hyperalgesia in human skin.

BACKGROUND: To determine the mechanisms of postoperative pain, the effects of local anesthesia on development and maintenance of surgical incision-induced hyperalgesia were evaluated in a crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled human study using 17 subjects. METHODS: An experimental 4-mm-long incision through skin, fascia, and muscle was made in the volar forearm of each subject. In experiment 1, 1% lidocaine or saline in a volume of 0.2 ml was subcutaneously injected into the incision site pretraumatically and posttraumatically. In experiment 2, a 5-cm-long strip of skin was subcutaneously injected with 0.2 ml of 1% lidocaine near the incision site pretraumatically and posttraumatically. Flare, spontaneous pain, and primary and secondary hyperalgesia to punctate mechanical stimuli were assessed after the incision had been made. RESULTS: Pretraumatic lidocaine injection prevented the occurrence of spontaneous pain and development of flare formation that was found surrounding the incision site immediately (1 min) after the incision had been made. The lidocaine suppressed primary hyperalgesia more effectively than did posttraumatic block, but only for the first 4 h after the incision. The preincision block prevented development of secondary hyperalgesia, whereas posttraumatic block did not significantly affect the fully developed secondary hyperalgesia. The area of flare formation and the area of secondary hyperalgesia did not extend over the strip of the skin that had been pretraumatically anesthetized, whereas the posttraumatic block did not significantly reduce the area of fully developed secondary hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS: Pretraumatic injection of lidocaine reduces primary hyperalgesia more effectively than does posttraumatic injection, but only for a short period after incision. The spread of secondary hyperalgesia is mediated peripheral nerve fibers, but when secondary hyperalgesia has fully developed, it becomes less dependent on or even independent of peripheral neural activity originating from the injured site.

Adult↗

Differential modulation of remifentanil-induced analgesia and postinfusion hyperalgesia by S-ketamine and clonidine in humans.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies and clinical observations suggest a possible role for opioids to induce pain and hyperalgesia on withdrawal. The authors used a new experimental pain model in human skin to determine the time course of analgesic and hyperalgesic effects of the mu-receptor agonist remifentanil alone or in combination with the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor antagonist S-ketamine or the alpha(2)-receptor agonist clonidine. METHODS: Thirteen volunteers were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation at a high current density (2 Hz, 67.3 +/- 16.8 mA, mean +/- SD) induced acute pain (numerical 11-point rating scale: 5-6 out of 10) and stable areas of mechanical hyperalgesia to punctate stimuli and touch (allodynia). The magnitude of pain and area of hyperalgesia were assessed before, during, and after drug infusion (remifentanil at 0.1 microg x kg-1 x min-1 and S-ketamine at 5 microg x kg-1 x min-1 over a period of 30 min, respectively; clonidine infusion at 2 microg/kg for 5 min). RESULTS: Remifentanil reduced pain and areas of punctate hyperalgesia during infusion. In contrast, postinfusion pain and hyperalgesia were significantly higher than control. During infusion of S-ketamine, pain and hyperalgesia decreased and gradually normalized after infusion. When given in combination, S-ketamine abolished postinfusion increase of punctate hyperalgesia but did not reduce increased pain ratings. Clonidine alone did not significantly attenuate pain or areas of hyperalgesia. However, when given in combination with remifentanil, clonidine attenuated postinfusion increase of pain ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid-induced postinfusion hyperalgesia could be abolished by S-ketamine, suggesting an N-methyl-d-aspartate-receptor mechanism. In contrast, elevated pain ratings after infusion were not reduced by ketamine but were alleviated by the alpha(2)-receptor agonist clonidine. The results of this study suggest different mechanisms of opioid-induced postinfusion antianalgesia and secondary hyperalgesia.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

The involvement of bradykinin B1 and B2 receptor mechanisms in cytokine-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat.

1. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2 and IL-8 induced a mechanical hyperalgesia following intra-articular (i.artic.) injection into rat knee joints, whereas IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were without effect. 2. Co-administration of IL-1 receptor antagonist (0.1 micrograms) with IL-1 beta (1 mu), IL-2 (10 mu) or IL-8 (0.1 mu) prevented the subsequent development of the hyperalgesia. 3. Co-administration of desArg9Leu8BK (0.5-5 nmol) with IL-1 beta (1 mu), IL-2 (10 mu) or IL-8 (0.1 mu) reduced the level of hyperalgesia at 1, 4 and 6 h post administration, whereas Hoe 140 (5 pmol) antagonized the hyperalgesia only at the 1 h time point. 4. Intravenous administration of desArg9Leu8BK (10 nmol kg-1) or Hoe 140 (100 pmol kg-1) following IL-1 beta (1 mu), IL-2 (10 mu), or IL-8 (0.1 mu) reversed the subsequent hyperalgesia. 5. Administration of desArg9BK into joints 24 h after pre-treatment with IL-1 beta (1 mu) produced analegsia at low doses (50 pmol) and hyperalgesia at a higher dose (0.5 nmol). Both these effects were blocked by desArg9Leu8BK (0.5 nmol). 6. Administration of desArg9BK (0.5 nmol i.artic.) to animals 24 h after pre-treatment with IL-2 (1-100 mu) or IL-8 (0.1-10 mu) had no effect on the load tolerated by the treated joint. 7. Administration of indomethacin (1 mg kg-1, s.c.) prior to IL-1 beta (1 mu i.artic.) prevented the development of hyperalgesia. Administration of desArg9BK (5 pmol-0.5 nmol, i.artic.) to animals 24 h after indomethacin and IL-1 beta pretreatment had no effect on the load tolerated by the treated joint. 7. Administration of indomethacin (1 mg kg-1, s.c.) prior to IL-1beta (1 u i.artic.) prevented the development of hyperalgesia. Administration of desArg9BK (5 pmol-0.5 nmol, i.artic.) to animals 24 h after indomethacin and IL-1 beta pretreatment had no effect on the load tolerated by the treated joint.8. These data suggest that both bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors are involved in the induction and maintenance of cytokine-induced hyperalgesia. They also show that the induction of B1 receptor-mediated hyperalgesia requires both cyclo-oxygenase products and IL-1 in vivo.

Animals↗

Allodynia and hyperalgesia in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats: time course of progression and efficacy of analgesics.

The complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rat model has extensively served as a laboratory model in the study of arthritic pain. However, the time courses of allodynia and hyperalgesia and the efficacies of different analgesics have not fully been analyzed in this model. Mechanical allodynia, thermal and joint hyperalgesia, and other disease development parameters (body weight, mobility, paw volume, and joint stiffness) were measured on postinoculation days (PIDs) 0 to 28 in rats. Acute analgesic efficacies of drugs were evaluated on PID 9 when degrees of allodynia, hyperalgesia, and joint stiffness in the ipsilateral paw reached almost the maximum, although those in the contralateral paw changed only slightly. In the ipsilateral paw, thermal hyperalgesia reached the maximum on PID 1, whereas mechanical allodynia and joint hyperalgesia progressively developed during the first 7 or 8 days, being tuned in to arthritis development. In the contralateral paw, thermal hyperalgesia never occurred, whereas mechanical allodynia and joint hyperalgesia developed after PID 11. Morphine and tramadol had full efficacies for all the pain parameters tested at sedation-inducing doses. Indomethacin and diclofenac significantly but partially improved thermal and joint hyperalgesia. Amitriptyline significantly reduced thermal and joint hyperalgesia only at sedation-inducing dose. Acetaminophen, carbamazepine, and gabapentin had, at the most, very small efficacies. In conclusion, the present study provided integrated information about the time course of pain and other disease development parameters in the CFA-induced arthritic rats, and clarified acute efficacies of different categories of analgesics for the allodynia and hyperalgesia.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Severity and duration of hyperalgesia in rat varies with type of nerve lesion.

OBJECTIVE: To learn how lesions with differing capacity for nerve regeneration affect the severity and duration of hyperalgesia in an animal model of neuropathic pain. METHODS: Three groups of rats were studied: 1). L5 nerve root crush (favorable for regeneration); 2). L5 root ligation and section; and 3). sham-operated group. An experimenter who did not know the rats' groups tested the animals for hyperalgesia to mechanical and cold stimuli. RESULTS: Measures of adverseness of mechanical and cooling stimuli for the crush group and ligation/cut groups were significantly higher than for the sham-operated group (P < 0.001 for both) for the first 30 days after lesioning. By 40 days, the crush group recovered from mechanical hyperalgesia, whereas the ligation/cut group continued to have significant hyperalgesia. At this time, both lesion groups displayed hyperalgesia to the cooling stimulus (P < 0.001), but the hyperalgesia in the ligation/cut group was significantly greater (P < 0.01). No recovery from cooling hyperalgesia was evident during the 54-day period of observation. Histological studies of the sciatic nerve indicated higher numbers of regenerating fibers in the crush group compared with the ligation/cut group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that axotomy, regardless of how it is induced, produces hyperalgesia to both mechanical and cold stimuli. However, the lesion that favors regeneration is associated with earlier signs of recovery from mechanical hyperalgesia and less severe signs of cooling hyperalgesia. The data support the hypothesis that inputs from the injured afferents play an ongoing role in neuropathic pain from nerve injury. Nerve ligation induces more severe and more sustained behavioral signs of pain than nerve crush.

Animals↗

Thermal hyperalgesia in association with the development of morphine tolerance in rats: roles of excitatory amino acid receptors and protein kinase C.

In a rat model of morphine tolerance, we examined the hypotheses that thermal hyperalgesia to radiant heat develops in association with the development of morphine tolerance and that both the development and expression of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats are mediated by central NMDA and non-NMDA receptors and subsequent protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine was developed in rats utilizing an intrathecal repeated treatment regimen. The development of morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia was examined by employing the tail-flick test and paw-withdrawal test, respectively. Intrathecal MK 801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist), 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; a non-NMDA receptor antagonist), or GM1 ganglioside (an intracellular PKC inhibitor) treatment was given to examine the effects of these agents on the development and expression of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats. Tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine was reliably developed in rats following once daily intrathecal (onto the lumbosacral spinal cord) injection of 10 micrograms of morphine sulfate for 8 consecutive days as demonstrated by the decreased analgesia following morphine administration on day 8 as compared to that on day 1. In association with the development of morphine tolerance, thermal hyperalgesia to radiant heat developed in these same rats. Paw-withdrawal latencies were reliably decreased in morphine-tolerant rats as compared to nontolerant (saline) controls when tested on day 8 before the last morphine treatment and on day 10 (i.e., 48 hr after the last morphine treatment). The coincident development of morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia was potently prevented by intrathecal coadministration of morphine with MK 801 (10 nmol) or GM1 (160 nmol), and partially by CNQX (80 nmol). MK 801 (5, 10 nmol, not 2.5 nmol) and CNQX (80, 160 nmol, not 40 nmol), but not GM1 (160 nmol), also reliably reversed thermal hyperalgesia in rats rendered tolerant to morphine when tested 30 min after each drug treatment on day 10 (48 hr after the last morphine treatment). The data indicate that thermal hyperalgesia develops in association with the development of morphine tolerance and that the coactivation of central NMDA and non-NMDA receptors is crucial for both the development and expression of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats. Furthermore, intracellular PKC activation plays a critical role in the development of thermal hyperalgesia in morphine-tolerant rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Dynamic and static components of mechanical hyperalgesia in human hairy skin.

The principle finding of the present study is that there are two types of mechanical hyperalgesia developing in human hairy skin following injurious stimuli. Mechanical hyperalgesia comprises a dynamic component (brush-evoked pain, allodynia) signalled by large myelinated afferents and a static component (hyperalgesia to pressure stimuli) signalled by unmyelinated afferents. While the static component is only found in the injured area, the dynamic component also extends into a halo of undamaged tissue surrounding the injury. The irritant chemicals, mustard oil or capsaicin, were applied transdermally in 20 subjects to a patch (2 x 2 cm) of hairy skin. Both substances evoked burning pain and hyperalgesia to mechanical stimuli. While stroking normal skin with a cotton bud was perceived only as touch prior to chemical stimulation, there was a distinctly unpleasant sensation afterwards. This component of mechanical hyperalgesia persisted for at least 30 min and was present in the skin exposed to the irritants (primary hyperalgesia) as well as in a zone of untreated skin surrounding the injury (secondary hyperalgesia) measuring 38 +/- 4 cm2 after capsaicin. Pressure pain thresholds dropped to 55 +/- 8% of baseline level after mustard oil and to 46 +/- 9% after capsaicin. However, this drop of thresholds was short-lived, lasting 5 min following mustard oil but persisting more than 30 min following capsaicin treatment. The reduction of pressure pain thresholds was only observed for treated skin areas, but not in the surrounding undamaged tissue from where brush-evoked pain could be evoked. When pressure pain thresholds were lowered, the pain had a burning quality which differed distinctly from the quality of brush-evoked pain. On-going burning pain and both types of mechanical hyperalgesia were critically temperature dependent. Mildly cooling the skin provided instant relief from on-going pain, abolished brush-evoked pain and normalized pressure pain thresholds. Rewarming resulted in a reappearance of on-going pain and hyperalgesia. The effect of a nerve compression block of the superficial radial nerve on these sensations was tested in 14 experiments. When the ability to perceive light touch had been abolished, there was also no touch-evoked pain, indicating that this component of mechanical hyperalgesia is mediated by large-diameter primary afferents. At a later stage of the block when the subjects' ability to perceive cold stimuli had also been lost, application of cool stimuli still eliminated on-going burning pain, suggesting that pain relief afforded by cooling the skin acts at the peripheral receptor level and not by central masking.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Cutaneous hyperalgesia: contributions of the peripheral and central nervous systems to the increase in pain sensitivity after injury.

This study assesses the contributions of the peripheral and central nervous systems in the development of hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity) after an injury. Experiments were carried out to examine the role of C-fiber afferents, the spinal cord and sympathetic efferents on inflammation, primary hyperalgesia and referred hyperalgesia produced in rats by a heat injury. A peripheral mechanism was indicated since both primary hyperalgesia and inflammation after a heat injury were significantly attenuated by blocking C-fiber afferents with local capsaicin. In addition, a central mechanism was indicated since the spread of hyperalgesia to the paw contralateral to a heat injury was prevented by either spinal anesthesia or the blocking of sympathetic efferents by guanethidine. A further role for central mechanisms was indicated since referred hyperalgesia--the enhancement of self-mutilation (autotomy) of a denervated limb which had previously sustained a heat injury--was reduced by spinal anesthesia or a combined blocking of C-fiber afferents and sympathetic efferents with intrathecal capsaicin + guanethidine. The results strongly suggest that referred hyperalgesia after a heat injury is dependent on increased spinal cord activity. However, autotomy in rats that did not undergo a previous injury was unaffected by either spinal anesthesia or intrathecal capsaicin. This suggests that spinal cord hyperactivity, although it plays a role in hyperalgesia following a heat injury, is not a crucial factor in producing pain and hyperalgesia after a nerve injury.

Animals↗

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated sympathetically dependent mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat.

The model of rolipram (a type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor) induced prolongation (> 3 days) of the mechanical hyperalgesia produced by the intradermal injection of prostaglandin E2 in the hairy skin of the hindpaw of the rat, measured by the Randall-Selitto paw-withdrawal test, was employed to study mechanisms involved in the contribution of the sympathetic postganglionic neuron to mechanical hyperalgesia. Lumbar surgical sympathectomy prevented rolipram-induced prolongation of prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia. Decentralization of sympathetic postganglionic neurons innervating the hindpaw did not, however, effect rolipram-induced prolongation of prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, and prazosin, an alpha 1-selective adrenoceptor antagonist, when given systemically or intradermally at the site of injection of prostaglandin E2 and rolipram, blocked rolipram-induced prolongation of prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia. Intrathecal administration of phentolamine and prazosin were, however, without effect on rolipram-induced prolongation of prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia. Yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist given systemically, intradermally or intrathecally also did not produce any alteration in rolipram-induced prolongation of prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia. We propose that sympathetic postganglionic neurons are involved in rolipram-induced prolongation of prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia and that this form of sympathetically dependent hyperalgesia, which is independent of activity in preganglionic sympathetic neurons, is mediated by a peripheral alpha 1-adrenergic mechanism.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗

Antinociceptive activity of the bradykinin B1 and B2 receptor antagonists, des-Arg9, [Leu8]-BK and HOE 140, in two models of persistent hyperalgesia in the rat.

There has been recent evidence linking bradykinin (BK) receptors with inflammation. This study has investigated the involvement of BK receptors in two models of persistent inflammatory hyperalgesia in rats. In a Freund's adjuvant-induced hyperalgesia model and an ultraviolet (UV)-induced hyperalgesia model in rats the specific B2 antagonist, D-Arg[Hyp3, Thi5, D-Tic7, Oic8]-BK (HOE 140), was either ineffective or weakly active in reversing hyperalgesia. The specific B1 antagonist, des-Arg9, [Leu8]-BK, was effective in reversing or preventing the development of hyperalgesia in both Freund's adjuvant-induced hyperalgesia and UV-induced hyperalgesia. The B1 agonist, des-Arg9-BK, produced a small exacerbation of hyperalgesia in both models. Data suggest that in persistent inflammatory conditions in the rat bradykinin B1 receptors are involved in the accompanying hyperalgesia.

Analgesics↗

Quantitative sensory examination of epidural anaesthesia and analgesia in man: effects of pre- and post-traumatic morphine on hyperalgesia.

The objectives of the study were: (1) comparison of hypoalgesic effects of pre- and post-traumatic epidural morphine (EM) on primary and secondary hyperalgesia, and (2) comparison of EM hypoalgesia in normal and injured skin. Burn injuries (25 x 50 mm rectangular thermode, 47 degrees C, 7 min) were produced on the calves of healthy volunteers, at 2 different days at least 1 week apart. In randomized order, the subjects received 4 mg of EM administered via the L2-L3 intervertebral space on one day and no treatment on the other day. One calf was injured 30 min prior to and the other calf 2.5 h after administration of morphine. Hence, the calf injured prior to morphine administration was a model of postinjury treatment, and the calf injured after morphine administration, a model of pretraumatic treatment. The timing of injuries was identical on the morphine treatment and control days. The injuries induced decrease in heat pain detection and tolerance thresholds within the area of injury (area of primary hyperalgesia) as well as reduction of areas of allodynia for brush and pinprick surrounding the injury (area of secondary hyperalgesia). Both pre- and post-traumatic administration of EM increased heat pain detection and tolerance thresholds, and decreased by approximately 50% the areas of secondary hyperalgesia 2.5 h postinjury. The effects of morphine were naloxone (NAL)-reversible (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.). There was no significant difference between pre- and post-traumatic administration of morphine on the effect of either primary or secondary hyperalgesia. EM increased the heat pain detection threshold more within the injury than at a corresponding non-injured site. There was no significant difference in the effect of morphine on heat pain tolerance in injured and non-injured skin. Following NAL, the areas of secondary hyperalgesia expanded beyond control size. It is suggested that the major effect of EM on secondary hyperalgesia is inhibition of C fibre-mediated activity which maintains the altered response properties of central neurons responsible for secondary hyperalgesia. Possible mechanisms of action of NAL in enhancement of hyperalgesia are discussed.

Adult↗

Direct cutaneous hyperalgesia induced by adenosine.

The intradermal injection of adenosine produces a dose-dependent decrease in mechanical nociceptive threshold in the hindpaw of the rat that is not attenuated by elimination of indirect pathways for the production of hyperalgesia. Adenosine-induced hyperalgesia is mimicked by the A2-agonists, 5'-(N-ethyl)-carboxamido-adenosine and 2-phenylaminoadenosine but not by the A1-agonist, N6-cyclopentyladenosine and antagonized by the adenosine A2-receptor antagonist, PD 081360-0002 but not by the A1-antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)xanthine. The latency to onset of adenosine and 2-phenylaminoadenosine hyperalgesia is similar to that produced by prostaglandin E2, a directly acting hyperalgesic agent but shorter than that produced by leukotriene B4, which acts indirectly. 2-Phenylaminoadenosine hyperalgesia is prolonged by rolipram, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Both 2-phenylaminoadenosine and prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia are antagonized by the A1-agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine and the mu-agonist, [D-Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol]enkephalin. However, 1-acetyl-2-(8-chloro-10,11-dihydrodibenz[b,f]oxazepine-10-ca rbonyl) hydrazine, a prostaglandin-receptor antagonist, inhibits prostaglandin E2 (Taiwo and Levine, Brain Res. 458, 402-406, 1988) but not 2-phenylamino-adenosine hyperalgesia and PD 081360-0002, the adenosine receptor antagonist, inhibits 2-phenylamino-adenosine but not prostaglandin E2 hyperalgesia. These data suggest that adenosine is a directly acting agent that produces hyperalgesia by an action at the A2-receptor and that this hyperalgesia is mediated by the cAMP second messenger.

Adenosine↗

Further confirmation of the role of adenyl cyclase and of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in primary afferent hyperalgesia.

Recent evidence has suggested that cAMP plays a role as a second messenger in the decrease in nociceptive threshold (or hyperalgesia) produced by agents acting on primary afferent terminals. In support of this hypothesis we report that intradermal injection of a direct activator of adenyl cyclase, forskolin, produces a dose-dependent hyperalgesia in the rat. The duration of this hyperalgesia was prolonged by the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, isobutylmethylxanthine and rolipram. Forskolin hyperalgesia was antagonized by the Rp isomer of cyclic adenosine-3'5'-monophosphothioate, an analog of cAMP that prevents the phosphorylation of the cAMP protein kinase. The Rp isomer of cyclic adenosine-3'5'-monophosphothioate also inhibited the hyperalgesia induced by a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP, 8-bromocyclic adenosine monophosphate, as well as the hyperalgesia induced by agents that are presumed to act directly on primary afferent nociceptors: prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin I2, (8R,15S)-dihydroxyicosa(5E-9,11,13Z)tetraenoic acid; and the adenosine A2-agonist 2-phenylaminoadenosine. Although the cAMP second messenger system contributes to primary afferent hyperalgesia, we found no evidence for a contribution of protein kinase C. Thus, hyperalgesia induced by prostaglandin E2, prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2), (8R,15S)-dihydroxyicosa(5E-9,11,13Z)tetraenoic acid, the adenosine A2-agonist 2-phenylaminoadenosine, 8-bromocyclic adenosine monophosphate and the direct activator of adenyl cyclase, forskolin, were not significantly attenuated by the selective inhibition of protein kinase C by the 19-31 fragment of protein kinase C. Two other inhibitors of protein kinase C, sphingosine and staurosporine, also failed to attenuate prostaglandin E2-induced hyperalgesia.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗