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The antagonistic effect of the sigma 1 receptor ligand (+)-MR200 on persistent pain induced by inflammation

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Abstract

Objective and design

The sigma 1 (σ1) receptor, which is widely distributed in the CNS in areas that are known to be important for pain control, may play a role in persistent pain characterized by the hypersensitivity of nociceptive transmission. Here, we investigated the effect of σ1 blockade in an inflammatory pain model.

Treatment and methods

An intraplantar injection of carrageenan (2 %) was used to induce paw inflammation. The effects of the σ1 antagonist (+)-MR200, given subcutaneously at a dose of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5,1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg prior to injection of carrageenan, on inflammatory pain and inflammation were assessed. Mechanical allodynia with von Frey filaments, thermal hyperalgesia with the plantar test and edema evaluation with a plethysmometer were measured. Intergroup comparisons were assessed by one- or two-way analysis of variance when appropriate, followed by post-hoc tests (Dunnett’s test for one-way or Bonferroni for two-way ANOVA).

Results

(+)-MR200 dose-dependently prevented allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. Furthermore, it reduced paw edema with a significant inhibition percentage of 37.82 % at 3 h after carrageenan treatment.

Conclusions

The blockade of the σ1 receptor with the selective antagonist (+)-MR200 may contribute to the suppression of the typical symptoms of inflammatory pain.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Francesco Pappalardo and Dr. Marzio Pennisi for their valuable help in assessing data and statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Carmela Parenti & Giovanna Maria Scoto

  2. Medicinal Chemistry Section, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Agostino Marrazzo, Giuseppina Aricò, Lorella Pasquinucci, Simone Ronsisvalle & Giuseppe Ronsisvalle

  3. Phisiology Section, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Rosalba Parenti

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  1. Carmela Parenti
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  2. Agostino Marrazzo
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  3. Giuseppina Aricò
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  4. Rosalba Parenti
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  7. Giuseppe Ronsisvalle
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  8. Giovanna Maria Scoto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giuseppina Aricò.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Ji Zhang.

C. Parenti and A. Marrazzo contributed equally to this work.

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Parenti, C., Marrazzo, A., Aricò, G. et al. The antagonistic effect of the sigma 1 receptor ligand (+)-MR200 on persistent pain induced by inflammation. Inflamm. Res. 63, 231–237 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-013-0692-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-013-0692-2

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