Zhen-Zhong Xu, R. Ji
Sep 1, 2011
Citations
0
Influential Citations
52
Citations
Journal
British Journal of Pharmacology
Abstract
Arthritis‐associated inflammatory pain represents a serious medical problem worldwide. Current treatments for arthritic pain are not very effective and cause unwanted side effects. Resolvins, including the resolvin D and resolvin E series, are a family of novel endogenous lipid mediators derived from ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and display potent anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolution actions in animal models of inflammation. Emerging evidence also points to a potent anti‐hyperalgesic role of resolvins in animal models of inflammatory pain. The study by Lima‐Garcia et al. in this issue of the BJP demonstrated that systemic treatment with 17(R)‐hydroxy‐docosahexaenoic acid (17(R)HDoHE), the precursor of resolvin D series and its product, aspirin‐triggered resolvin D1 (AT‐RvD1), at very low doses (1 µg·kg−1), reduced inflammatory pain in an adjuvant‐induced arthritis model. Particularly 17(R)HDoHE reduced joint stiffness but not paw and joint oedema. Given their potency and safety profile, resolvins may represent a new class of analgesics well suited to treating inflammatory pain associated with arthritis.