B. Michot, S. Bourgoin, F. Viguier
Sep 1, 2012
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1
Influential Citations
55
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Quality indicators
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PAIN®
Abstract
Summary Calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptor blockade by olcegepant reduced mechanical allodynia induced by infraorbital nerve ligation but not that caused by sciatic nerve ligation in rats. Abstract Previous studies showed that 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)1B/1D receptor stimulation by triptans alleviates neuropathic pain caused by chronic constriction injury to the infraorbital nerve (CCI‐ION) but not the sciatic nerve (CCI‐SN) in rats. To assess whether such differential effects in the cephalic vs extracephalic territories is a property shared by other antimigraine drugs, we used the same models to investigate the effects of olcegepant, which has an antimigraine action mediated through calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockade. Adult male rats underwent unilateral CCI to the ION or the SN, and subsequent allodynia and/or hyperalgesia were assessed in ipsilateral vibrissal territory or hindpaw, respectively, using von Frey filaments and validated nociceptive tests. c‐Fos expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry and interleukin 6 and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) mRNAs by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Like naratriptan (0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg, subcutaneously), olcegepant (0.3 to 0.9 mg/kg, intravenously) markedly reduced mechanical allodynia in CCI‐ION rats. In contrast, in CCI‐SN rats, mechanical allodynia was completely unaffected and hyperalgesia was only marginally reduced by these drugs. A supra‐additive antiallodynic effect was observed in CCI‐ION rats treated with olcegepant (0.3 mg/kg intravenously) plus naratriptan (0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously), whereas this drug combination remained inactive in CCI‐SN rats. Olcegepant (0.6 mg/kg, intravenously) significantly reduced the number of c‐Fos immunolabeled cells in spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and upregulation of ATF3 transcript (a marker of neuron injury) but not that of interleukin‐6 in trigeminal ganglion of CCI‐ION rats. These findings suggest that CGRP receptor blockade might be of potential interest to alleviate trigeminal neuropathic pain.