巴氯芬注射液Beagle犬腰椎穿刺置管多次鞘内注射局部刺激性研究

目的模拟临床给药途径,Beagle犬腰椎穿刺置管多次鞘内注射巴氯芬注射液,观察其局部刺激性,同时进行犬行为学观察,为巴氯芬注射液安全性评价提供依据。方法12只Beagle犬分为假手术组,生理盐水对照组,巴氯芬给药组。行腰椎穿刺置管,使用单通道微量注射泵泵入给药,给药剂量为1000μg/d,生理盐水对照组给予生理盐水0.5mL,连续给药7d,恢复期7d。每日进行行为学观察,给药结束及恢复期结束时每组麻醉2只动物,取给药部位脊髓进行组织病理学检查。结果给药及恢复期期间动物行为未见异常,给药结束时各组均有部分动物观察到置管处表皮感染现象,进行局部消毒处理后在恢复期第3天恢复正常。组织病理学检查发现给药及恢复期结束时各组动物脊髓均可见血管周围炎细胞浸润或脊髓内钙盐沉积,各组无差别。给药结束时巴氯芬组1例动物脊膜处有肉芽组织形成,判定与置管操作有关。结论巴氯芬注射液Beagle犬腰椎穿刺置管连续7d鞘内注射,给药剂量为1000μg/d对脊髓无局部刺激性作用,动物行为也未见异常。     

实验动物呼吸系统主要器官比较组织学研究

目的比较实验动物呼吸系统主要器官的组织学特征,为制定实验动物病理检测标准、以及毒理学、新药安全性评价提供依据。方法选取实验动物质量国家检测标准检测合格的恒河猴30只、昆明小鼠20只、SD大鼠20只、日本大耳白兔18只、比格犬16只、树鼩20只。除昆明小鼠采用颈椎脱臼致死外,其余动物麻醉后放血处死和病理解剖,对气管、肺脏进行病理大体检查和取材,常规病理制片,进行HE染色、特殊染色和免疫组化染色,显微镜下观察气管、肺脏的组织结构和细胞结构异同。结果 （1）实验动物气管上皮杯状细胞有差异：恒河猴、比格犬、日本大耳白兔杯状细胞较多,大鼠、小鼠、树鼩则较少或无。上皮分泌的黏液类型以中性黏液为主,比格犬杯状细胞分泌的黏液类型有中性黏液和酸性黏液。（2）实验动物黏膜下腺泡分布有差异：比格犬黏膜下层的腺泡最多,恒河猴、大鼠、小鼠、树鼩腺泡数量偏少,日本大耳白兔黏膜下层的混合腺泡最少。（3）实验动物的肺内支气管分支有差异：比格犬、恒河猴、日本大耳白兔由叶支气管、段支气管、小支气管、细支气管、终末细支气管和呼吸性细支气管组成,树鼩、大鼠、小鼠只由细支气管、终末细支气管和呼吸性细支气管组成。（4）实验动物细支气管组织结构有差异：恒河猴、比格犬的细支气管平滑肌为完整环形平滑肌层,没有缺失,而大鼠、小鼠、树鼩及日本大耳白兔的细支气管平滑肌薄或缺失。恒河猴、树鼩、大鼠细支气管有少量杯状细胞,其余实验动物均无杯状细胞。（5）实验动物Clara细胞形态有差异：比格犬Clara细胞呈立方形,其余动物呈柱状。结论实验动物呼吸系统组织结构的质是相同的,差异在于量的不同。研究人员在制定病理学检测标准、实验研究、药物安全性评价时应予充分考虑。     

虎纹蜘蛛毒素-Ⅰ对大鼠急性内脏疼痛的抑制性效应及与ω-芋螺毒素的比较研究(英文)

研究一种新型的N型电压敏感性钙通道阻断剂虎纹蜘蛛毒素 Ⅰ (HWTX Ⅰ ) ,硬脊膜外腔用药对福尔马林结肠壁粘膜下注射诱导的大鼠急性炎性内脏疼痛的抑制性效应 .5 %福尔马林溶液15 0 μl快速注入SD大鼠乙状结肠壁粘膜下层 ,可产生几种可评估的反映内脏疼痛的固定性行为 .在此伤害性刺激反应前 30min ,经留置的导管向大鼠硬脊膜外腔分别注入各待测药品和试剂 ,观察其对该模型疼痛行为的影响 .与生理盐水阴性对照组 ,美国同类镇痛新药ω 芋螺毒素 (ω CTX MVIIA)和吗啡两个阳性对照组比较 ,HWTX Ⅰ五个剂量组 ,进行大鼠硬脊膜外腔注药 ,均能以剂量依赖方式明显抑制福尔马林结肠壁注射诱导的伤害性行为反应 .HWTX Ⅰ和ω CTX MVIIA在 2 0μg kg体重剂量时 ,其抑制效果是稳定和明显的 ;在 5 0 70 μg kg体重剂量下 ,抑制效果更为显著 .HWTX Ⅰ量 效实验发现 ,在等剂量下 ,ω CTX MVIIA镇痛效果略高于HWTX Ⅰ .但在 5 0～ 75 μg kg较高剂量下 ,ω CTX MVIIA可能引起大鼠产生明显的运动能力障碍 ,而HWTX Ⅰ在该剂量范围内则未见类似的毒副作用 .盐酸吗啡镇痛作用起效快于HWTX Ⅰ和ω CTX MVIIA ,但维持时间较后二者短 .实验结果表明 :同为多肽类N型电压敏感性钙通道拮抗剂 ,HWTX Ⅰ和ω CTX MVIIA大鼠硬脊     

不同椎管内麻醉方式在高龄病人髋部手术的应用研究

目的比较三种椎管内麻醉方法用于高龄病人髋部手术的麻醉效果和安全性,探讨适合高龄病人髋部手术的椎管内麻醉方式。方法选择75例拟行髋部手术的高龄病人,随机分成3组,即持续硬膜外麻醉组（CEA组）、腰-硬联合麻醉组（CSEA组）和单侧腰麻复合硬膜外麻醉组（OCSEA组）,每组25例。选择L2-3或L3-4椎间隙为穿刺点,CEA组单纯硬膜外腔给药,CSEA组蛛网膜下腔给药后头向置入硬膜外导管3．5cm备用后立即平卧．OCSEA组蛛网膜下腔给药及头向置人硬膜外导管后仍保持侧卧位10～15min。麻醉平面尽可能控制在T10以下。比较麻醉平面、麻醉效果及血压变化情况。结果CSEA组和OCSEA组麻醉效果优于CEA组,CSEA组和OCSEA组的麻醉平面比CEA组更容易控制．OCSEA组的血压更为稳定。结论小剂量单侧腰麻复合硬膜外麻醉血压变化小．安全有效,更适合高龄病人髋部手术的麻醉。     

兔有创动脉血压监测的新方法

目的建立一种经兔耳正中动脉穿刺置管进行动脉血压监测新方法。方法健康家兔16只,雌雄不分,体重2．0±0．3k。动物随机分成两组,颈内动脉穿刺置管组（A组）8只,耳正中动脉穿刺置管组（B组）8只。两组均用22G动静脉留置针行穿刺置管后接有创动脉换能器套件联接监护仪监测有创动脉血压的变化,实验后家兔正常饲养7d,观察其死亡率。结果有创动脉压：A组和B组两组差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;死亡率：A组明显高于B组（P〈0．05）。结论经兔耳正中动脉穿刺置管进行有创动脉血压监测比颈内动脉置管法要好,是一种简单、有效的方法,死亡率低,可以在兔的动物实验中推广。     

硬脊膜内外多发性神经鞘膜瘤7例诊治分析

目的:回顾分析硬脊膜内外多发性的神经鞘膜瘤的手术治疗疗效及注意事项.方法:我院2001-2011年间脊柱病区收治的椎管内肿瘤患者中,共发现7例硬脊膜内外多发性的神经鞘膜瘤.肿瘤发生部位:胸段3例,腰段2例,2例为胸段肿瘤位于硬膜内,腰段肿瘤位于硬膜外呈哑铃型向椎管外生长.临床表现为隐袭性、进行性双下肢麻木、无力、僵硬和不灵活,行走不稳等症状.治疗方法:全部手术肿瘤摘除,5例一期行硬膜内外同时摘除肿瘤,2例不同节段的肿瘤采取分期手术.结果:全部病例经1-9年随访,肿瘤未见复发.病理报告:均为神经鞘膜瘤.结论:临床上硬脊膜内外多发性的神经鞘膜瘤较少见,容易漏诊漏治.术前应注意详细查体,仔细阅片,术中注意切除硬膜外的肿瘤后,观察硬膜有无异常表现,手术是治疗该病的有效方法.     

脊膜瘤手术的护理体会

脊膜瘤是一种硬脊膜下、脊髓外的一种肿瘤,发病率为椎管肿瘤的第二位,约占椎管内肿瘤的9%~12%。脊膜瘤病人的病程一般比较长,部分病人有截瘫、排尿功能障碍,故应加强手术前后的护理,以减少并发症的发生。2002年5月~2006年6月,我科为6例脊膜瘤病人实施了脊膜瘤切除术,经过精心的治疗、护理,疗效满意,现将围手术期的护理体会介绍如下。1临床资料本组6例患者,男4例,女2例,年龄28~60岁,平均44岁,病程3个月~5年。肿瘤部位:胸段4例,腰段2例。6例患者均有不同程度的肌力减退,其中1例有排尿功能障碍,经精心的手术治疗、护理,均治愈出院。2护理2·1心…     

低碘绒猴动物模型的复制及甲状腺形态结构变化的体视学研究

本文以高级灵长类动物绒猴为研究对象,在国内首次成功地复制了低碘动物模型,对低碘喂养12个月的绒猴进行了血清激素测定,甲状腺重量及甲状腺形态学观察,并应用MIAS－300型图像分析系统测量甲状腺滤泡、滤泡腔的体视学指标。结果表明,低碘组绒猴血清FT3、FT4、TT3、TT4均低于对照组。甲状腺肿大,滤泡增生密集,滤泡腔变小,胶质减少,上皮细胞增生肥大呈高柱状。体视学指标测量结果表明,低碘组滤泡及滤泡腔的体密度（Vv）、表面积密度（Sv）、平均体积（VQ）、平均表面积（SQ）低于对照组,数密度（Nv）、比表面（S／V）高于对照组。而两组的形状因子（SF）无显著性差别。本研究表明绒猴是复制碘缺乏病动物模型的良好动物。     

常用实验动物不同组织部位肥大细胞异质性的组织学特点比较

目的探讨并比较六种常用实验动物不同部位肥大细胞异质性的形态学特点。方法应用麻醉后处死的方法,取小鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、兔、犬和猴的皮肤、肺脏、乙状结肠和脾脏组织,经4%中性缓冲甲醛溶液或Bouin’s液固定后,制作常规组织切片,分别作HE、甲苯胺蓝、阿尔新蓝-藏红和P物质免疫组织化学染色,镜下观察并应用彩色病理图像分析软件进行形态学分析;另取皮肤组织固定于磷酸缓冲戊二醛溶液,制作常规超薄切片,透射电镜下观察肥大细胞超微结构。结果六种动物不同组织中肥大细胞各有其分布特点,且在形态大小、异染性及染色特性等方面表现各异,肥大细胞密度和形态学参数差异有显著性（P〈0.05）;豚鼠、犬和猴皮肤肥大细胞颗粒具有特殊亚微结构;小鼠皮肤组织内可见P物质免疫阳性肥大细胞和神经纤维,犬脾脏内可见P物质免疫阳性肥大细胞。结论在六种实验动物的同一组织中以及同一种动物不同组织中,肥大细胞具有明显的异质性,此异质性对采用实验动物开展与肥大细胞功能相关的动物实验研究具有重要参考价值。     

人、猴、兔BPI活性部位基因的克隆和序列分析

为比较不同动物来源杀菌／通透性增加蛋白（BPI）的活性部位在基因组成上的差异,为今后对人BPI进行分子改构打下基础,分别从人、恒河猴和家兔外周血白细胞中克隆出BPI全长或活性部位基因,进行序列分析和比较,并进行蛋白二级结构预测。结果发现：猴、兔BPI活性部位序列与人序列在核苷酸水平的同源性分别为94％和77％,在氨基酸水平的同源性分别为88％和62％;人氨基酸序列中包含一个糖基化位点,而猴、兔序列没有;兔序列比人、猴序列少一个氨基酸;3种BPI活性部位有近似的二级结构。     

Differences in response to anaesthetics and analgesics between inbred rat strains

Differences in response to analgesic and anaesthetic drugs can partly be attributed to variations in the genetic background of experimental animals. This study was carried out to determine differences in the response of inbred rat strains to a selection of analgesics and drugs used in anaesthetic protocols. A cross between the most contrasting strains can then be phenotyped in future studies in order to localize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in analgesic/anaesthetic drug sensitivity. Eight inbred strains (n = 6 rats/strain) were selected for the study: the pigmented ACI, BN and COP strains and the albino F344, LEW, SHR, WAG and WKY strains. Each rat was injected intravenously with two analgesics (buprenorphine 0.05 mg/kg and nalbuphine 1 mg/kg) and three drugs used in anaesthetic protocols (propofol 25 mg/kg, medetomidine 50 microg/kg and ketamine 10 mg/kg), respectively, using a crossover design. Analgesic responses were assessed using an analgesiometric procedure. The sleep time of the rat and, where applicable, the interval between injection and loss of righting reflex were used to determine the anaesthetic response. Six out of eight strains responded significantly different from each other to the analgesic effect of buprenorphine with the ACI strain as hyper-responder. The tail withdrawal latency at 55 degrees C of the F344 and WKY rats using buprenorphine was not significantly different from baseline tail withdrawal latencies. In this study, all strains were non-responsive to the analgesic effects of nalbuphine. The response to all three drugs used in anaesthetic protocols differed significantly among the strains. The F344 and BN strains were relatively resistant to the sedative effects of medetomidine. Use of ketamine was abandoned in the ACI and BN strains when the first two animals of both strains died soon after induction. With all three drugs the sleep time of albino rats was significantly longer compared with that of the pigmented ones. We conclude that the results from this study can be used in future studies where QTLs for the sensitivity to anaesthetic/analgesic drugs are localized.     

Anaesthesia and post-operative analgesia following experimental surgery in laboratory rodents: are we making progress?

Current attitudes to the use of animals in biomedical research require that any pain or distress should be minimised. This can often be achieved by the use of appropriate anaesthetic and analgesic regimens. There, is however, little information on the peri-operative regimens used. A literature review was conducted to estimate how commonly analgesics are administered to laboratory rodents, the most widely used species of laboratory animals, and to assess the anaesthetic regimens employed. Studies describing potentially painful experimental procedures involving rodents were identified from peer-reviewed journals published from 1990 to 1992 and from 2000 to 2002. In papers published between 2000 and 2002, if analgesic administration was not specified, the institutional veterinary surgeons or authors of the papers were contacted by e-mail to obtain additional information on analgesic use. From 1992 to 2002, there was an increase in the reported prevalence of analgesic administration to laboratory rodents from 2.7% to 19.8%. Although the use of analgesics has increased over the past ten years, the overall level of post-operative pain relief for laboratory rodents is still low. Anaesthetic methodology changed markedly between the two time-periods sampled. Notably, there was an increase in the use of isoflurane and of injectable anaesthetic combinations such as ketamine/xylazine, whereas the use of ether and methoxyflurane decreased.     

Inhibiting astrocytic activation: a novel analgesic mechanism of ketamine at the spinal level?

Although ketamine is widely used as an analgesic agent and has an anti-allodynic effect on neuropathic pain, the underlying analgesic mechanisms are not fully explained by the modern 'neuronal-based' theories. As emerging studies have focused on the critical role of spinal astrocytes in the pathological pain states, we have hypothesized that there exist some 'astrocytes-related' mechanisms in the analgesic function of ketamine. In the present study, using the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) pain model, we investigated the anti-nociceptive effects of intraperitoneal or intrathecal ketamine on SNL-induced neuropathic pain response, meanwhile, we investigated the astrocytic activation after ketamine administration on SNL rats. Behavioral data showed that either intraperitoneal or intrathecal ketamine inhibited SNL-induced allodynia, however, immunohistochemistry showed that SNL induced astrocytic activation was suppressed by intrathecal but not intraperitoneal ketamine. Using quantitative Western blot analysis, our report showed that intrathecal ketamine down-regulated glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, suggesting inhibition of SNL-induced astrocytic activation, which wasn't influenced by intraperitoneal administration. We conclude that intraperitoneal ketamine could alleviate SNL-induced neuropathic pain via the classical 'neuronal-based' mechanisms, but in addition, 'astrocytes-related' mechanisms were also important underlying the anti-allodynic effect of intrathecal ketamine.     

Acute analgesic effect of loperamide as compared to morphine after intrathecal administration in rat

Loperamide, a mu opioid receptor agonist, which is commonly used as an antidiarrhoeal agent has been reported to possess analgesic activity after intrathecal administration. However, the exact analgesic profile, i.e., onset, duration and intensity of analgesia in relation to morphine is not fully known. In the present study, the acute analgesic effect of loperamide (5 microg) was compared with that of morphine (5 microg) and morphine + loperamide (5 microg of each) using the tail flick method after intrathecal administration. Naloxone (5 mg/kg) reversibility of the analgesic effect was also studied. The analgesic response of loperamide was significantly higher than morphine. Even after 22 hr, maximum possible effect was greater than 49%. Naloxone partially antagonized the analgesic effect of loperamide. This suggested that loperamide may be acting through blockade of Ca2+ channels besides activating mu opioid receptors. Loperamide may prove to be a better substitute for morphine as spinal analgesic.     

Intraperitoneal versus subcutaneous telemetry devices in young Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Radiotelemetry has become a very popular biotelemetric tool for measuring physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and muscle activity, as well as general behavioural activity in undisturbed, freely moving animals. In most studies using this technique, adult subjects are used. However, sometimes an ontogenetic approach is required to clarify whether changes in one parameter are preceeded or followed by changes in another parameter. Tracking physiological changes in young, developing individuals could explain given states of these animals as adults. Implanting telemetry devices can be done subcutaneously and intraperitoneally, the former method posing less of a challenge on the animal and its recovery from surgery. Because telemetry will be used in weanling gerbils during subsequent studies, we needed to investigate whether subcutaneous implantation of telemetric devices is preferable to intraperitoneal surgery with respect to animal welfare. This is a technical paper describing anaesthetic and surgical techniques in detail during a pre-trial involving subcutaneous (n=10, aged 21-29 days) and intraperitoneal (n=10, aged 19-34 days) implantation of dummy telemetry transmitters (1.9 cm3, 3.6 g after shortening of leads) in weanling gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus. Body weight was measured and analysed over four-day intervals. Optimizing anaesthetic dosages was a first step in this pilot trial. This occurred during the first few subcutaneous implantations. Three animals died while anaesthetized during the subcutaneous procedure but none post-surgery. All animals survived anaesthesia during the intraperitoneal implantation, but two died in the first three days post-surgery. In the former method, the tension on the dermal sutures caused by the presence of the transmitters was too great, resulting in the animals opening the sutures by chewing them. The animals died during the latter procedure probably due to strangulation of the intestine by the excess lead that was coiled in the abdomen. Furthermore, placement of the exposed negative lead of the transmitter on the underlying muscle had to be done on the m. pectoralis transversus in order for it to stay in place as the animal developed. This paper showed that the implantation of a telemetric device in weanling gerbils is feasible and is best executed through the intraperitoneal technique.     

Strychnine antagonizes vaginal stimulation-produced analgesia at the spinal cord

Vaginal-cervical mechanostimulation (VS) suppresses vocalization and withdrawal responses to noxious stimulation. To determine whether the inhibitory neurotransmitter, glycine, contributes to the action of VS, strychnine, a specific glycine receptor antagonist was administered perispinally via intrathecal catheter in dosages of 1,5,25 and 100 micrograms. Prior to strychnine administration, VS (400 g force) elevated thresholds to elicit vocalization in response to graded intensities of tail shock, and blocked vocalization elicited by stimulation of a skin area, previously sensitized by intradermal injection of a 20% yeast solution. After strychnine administration the analgesic effects of VS were significantly attenuated. These findings suggest that the analgesic action of VS is partially mediated by glycine at the spinal level.     

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Analgesic Property of Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine and Its Neurotoxicity Evaluation: An In Vivo and In Vitro Experimental Study

Background

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been used under perioperative settings as an adjuvant to enhance the analgesic property of local anesthetics by some anesthesiologists. However, the analgesic mechanisms and neurotoxicity of DEX were poorly understood. This study examined the effect of DEX alone on inflammatory pain, and it also examined the underlying molecular mechanisms of DEX in the spinal cord. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the neurotoxicity of DEX on the spinal cord and cortical neurons.

Methods

This study used adult, male Kunming mice. In the acute inflammatory model, the left hind-paws of mice were intradermally injected with pH 5.0 PBS while chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was used to duplicate the neuropathic pain condition. Thermal paw withdrawal latency and mechanical paw withdrawal threshold were tested with a radiant heat test and the Von Frey method, respectively. Locomotor activity and motor coordination were evaluated using the inverted mesh test. Western blotting examined spinal ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, caspase-3 and β-actin expressions, while spinal c-Fos protein expression was realized with immunohistochemical staining. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to examine the pathological impacts of intrathecal DEX on the spinal cord. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining was used to observe cell death under an immunofluorescence microscope.

Results

Intra-plantar pH 5.0 PBS-induced acute pain required spinal ERK1/2 activation. Inhibition of spinal ERK1/2 signaling by intrathecal injection of DEX displayed a robust analgesia, via a α2-receptor dependent manner. The analgesic properties of DEX were validated in CCI mice. In vivo studies showed that intrathecal DEX has no significant pathological impacts on the spinal cord, and in vitro experiments indicated that DEX has potential protective effects of lidocaine-induced neural cell death.

Conclusion

Intrathecal injection of DEX alone or as an adjuvant might be potential for pain relief.     

Hazards of urethane (ethyl carbamate): a review of the literature

Urethane (ethyl carbamate) is used alone or in combination with other drugs to produce anaesthesia in laboratory animals. Although originally studied as a potential phytocide, urethane demonstrated antineoplastic properties when administered to rats with the Walker rat carcinoma 256. Subsequent trials in humans led to its use as a chemotherapeutic agent for various leukaemias. Mice develop pulmonary adenomas earlier in life and at a higher incidence following urethane administration. Urethane's carcinogenic influence is greater in neonatal mice; it also has a transplacental influence in mice. In rats, urethane increases the incidence of pulmonary adenomas, Zymbal Gland tumours, and a variety of other neoplasms. Urethane is absorbed sufficiently from the skin of laboratory animals to produce a transient narcosis. The carcinogenic effect appears to be due to an undefined oncogenic intermediate formed in the blood. Considering the properties urethane demonstrates in animals, the safety of its use by laboratory personnel is in question. However, if appropriate guidelines are followed, urethane should continue to be a useful anaesthetic agent for laboratory animals.     

Electroencephalogram-based anaesthetic depth monitoring in laboratory animals

Objective measurements of physiological parameters controlled by the autonomic nervous system such as blood pressure, heart rate and respiration are easily obtained nowadays during anaesthesia by the use of monitors: oscillometers, pulseoximeters, electrocardiograms and capnographs are available for laboratory animals. However, the effect-site of hypnotic drugs that cause general anaesthesia is the central nervous system (the brain). In the present, the adjustment of hypnotic drugs in veterinary anaesthesia is performed according to subjective evaluation of clinical signs which are not direct reflexes of anaesthetic effects on the brain, making depth of anaesthesia (DoA) assessment a complicated task. The difficulties in assessing the real anaesthetic state of a laboratory animal may not only result in welfare-threatening situations, such as awareness and pain sensation during surgery, but also in a lack of standardization of experimental conditions, as it is not easy to keep all animals from an experiment in the same DoA without a measure of anaesthetic effect. A direct measure of this dose-effect relationship, although highly necessary, is still missing in the veterinary market. Meanwhile, research has been intense in this subject and methods based on the brain electrical activity (electroencephalogram) have been explored in laboratory animal species. The objective of this review is to explain the achievements made in this topic and clarify how far we are from an objective measure of DoA for animals.     

Analgesic effects of intrathecally-administered 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one in a rat mechanical visceral pain model.

Recent studies in animals have demonstrated that the steroid, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3A5P), is a potent analgesic when given intracerebroventricularly. Several studies in humans report that spinal steroids are effective in the treatment of chronic low-back pain when given in combination with morphine. The spinal antinociceptive effect of steroids, in particular a progesterone metabolite has not been studied in a visceral pain model. The experiments in the following study were designed to test, first, if the intrathecally-administered (i.t.) steroid, 3A5P, has analgesic properties in a mechanical visceral nociceptive assay, and second, if the intrathecal coadministration of this steroid and morphine is more effective than either therapy alone. Our mechanical visceral pain model (VPM) consists of a chronic indwelling duodenal balloon catheter implanted in the rat. The balloon is inflated to elicit a writhing response. Protection values are defined as the percentage of rats in each group which did not writhe. In this model, 3A5P was found to provide a dose-independent, though significant (p less than 0.01), antinociception when administered alone (33-67% protection vs. 0-25% for controls). Yet, protection offered by the coadministration of 3A5P and morphine (79%) was not significantly greater than that offered by morphine alone (85%). Unlike a dose and time-dependent response observed in a thermal cutaneous nociceptive assay, the antinociception of 3A5P was not dose-dependent when challenged with a mechanical visceral noxious stimulus.