Local Magnesium Sulfate Administration Ameliorates Nociception, Peripheral Inflammation, and Spinal Sensitization in a Rat Model of Incisional Pain

Zhi-Hong Wen; Zong-Sheng Wu; Shi-Ying Huang; Tung-Lin Chou; Hao-Jung Cheng; Yi-Hao Lo; Yen-Hsuan Jean; Chun-Sung Sung

doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.033

Local Magnesium Sulfate Administration Ameliorates Nociception, Peripheral Inflammation, and Spinal Sensitization in a Rat Model of Incisional Pain

Neuroscience. 2024 Apr 22:547:98-107. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.033. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Zhi-Hong Wen¹, Zong-Sheng Wu², Shi-Ying Huang³, Tung-Lin Chou⁴, Hao-Jung Cheng⁵, Yi-Hao Lo⁶, Yen-Hsuan Jean⁷, Chun-Sung Sung⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan; Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan.
² Division of Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan.
³ College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China.
⁴ Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan.
⁵ Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Family Medicine, Zouying Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813204, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pingtung Christian Hospital, No. 60 Dalian Road, Pingtung 900026, Taiwan.
⁸ Division of Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan. Electronic address: cssung@vghtpe.gov.tw.

PMID: 38657727
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.033

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative pain remains one of the most common complaints after surgery, and appropriate treatments are limited.

Methods: We therefore investigated the effect of the anti-nociceptive properties of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on incision-induced postoperative pain and peripheral and central nervous system inflammation.

Results: We found that local MgSO₄ administration dose-dependently increases paw withdrawal latency, indicating reduced peripheral postoperative pain. Furthermore, MgSO₄ inhibited the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit in injured paw tissue and significantly attenuated microglial and astrocytic activation in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn.

Conclusion: Locally administered MgSO₄ has potential for development as an adjunctive therapy for preventing central nociceptive sensitization.

Keywords: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor; magnesium sulfate; postoperative pain.