New index of pain triggered by spinal activation of voltage-dependent sodium channels

J Anesth. 2013 Dec;27(6):939-41. doi: 10.1007/s00540-013-1646-0. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Voltage-dependent sodium channels (VDSCs) are crucial for pain generation. Here, to develop a new behavioral index of pain induced by spinal VDSC activation, we examined whether intrathecal veratridine injection produced nociceptive behavior. Intrathecal injection of the VDSC opener veratridine in mice dose-dependently induced nociceptive responses, with response times subsequently reduced by administration of morphine or pregabalin. Systemic administration of lidocaine and mexiletine, but not amitriptyline, also decreased this response time. Taken together, these results demonstrated that response time of nociceptive behavior induced by intrathecal veratridine injection is a quantitative index of pain triggered by spinal VDSC activation.

MeSH terms

  • Amitriptyline / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Lidocaine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mexiletine / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Morphine / pharmacology
  • Nociceptive Pain / chemically induced*
  • Nociceptive Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pain Measurement / methods*
  • Pregabalin
  • Spine / drug effects*
  • Spine / metabolism
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / metabolism*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Agonists
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
  • Amitriptyline
  • Mexiletine
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Morphine
  • Lidocaine