ABSTRACT

Our previous studies have implicated Ca_V3.2 isoform of T-type Ca2+ channels (T-channels) in the development of postsurgical pain. We have also previously established that different T-channel antagonists can alleviate in vivo postsurgical pain. Here we investigated the analgesic potential of another T-channel blocker and endogenous antioxidant molecule, α-lipoic acid (ALA), in a postsurgical pain model in rats. Our in vivo results suggest that single and repetitive intraperitoneal injections of ALA after surgery or preemptively, significantly reduced evoked mechanical hyperalgesia following surgical paw incision. Furthermore, repeated preemptive systemic injections of ALA effectively alleviated spontaneous postsurgical pain as determined by dynamic weight-bearing testing. We expect that our preclinical study may lead to further investigation of analgesic properties and mechanisms of analgesic action of ALA in patients undergoing surgery.

摘要

我们之前的研究涉及 Ca _V3.2 T型Ca2+通道（T-channels）在术后疼痛发展中的亚型。我们之前还确定不同的 T 通道拮抗剂可以减轻体内术后疼痛。在这里，我们研究了另一种 T 通道阻滞剂和内源性抗氧化剂分子 α-硫辛酸 (ALA) 在大鼠术后疼痛模型中的镇痛潜力。我们的体内研究结果表明，手术后或先发制人的单次和重复腹膜内注射 ALA，显着降低了手术爪切口后诱发的机械痛觉过敏。此外，通过动态负重测试确定，反复预先全身注射 ALA 可有效缓解自发性术后疼痛。