The effects of GABA_B agonists and gabapentin on mechanical hyperalgesia in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain in the rat

Abstract 

We have examined the effects of a novel GABA_B agonist, CGP35024, in models of chronic neuropathic (partial sciatic ligation) and inflammatory (Freund's complete adjuvant) pain in the rat, and its inhibitory action on spinal transmission in vitro. The effects of CGP35024 were compared with l-baclofen and gabapentin. CGP35024 and l-baclofen reversed neuropathic mechanical hyperalgesia following single subcutaneous or intrathecal administration, but did not affect inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia. Gabapentin only moderately affected neuropathic hyperalgesia following a single administration by either route, but produced significant reversal following daily administration for 5 days. It was only weakly active against inflammatory hyperalgesia following single or repeated administration. The antihyperalgesic effects of l-baclofen and CGP35024, but not gabapentin, were blocked by the selective GABA_B receptor antagonist CGP56433A. CGP35024 was seven times more potent against neuropathic hyperalgesia than in the rotarod test for motor co-ordination, whilst l-baclofen was approximately equipotent in the two tests. In the isolated hemisected spinal cord from the rat, CGP35024, l-baclofen and gabapentin all inhibited capsaicin-evoked ventral root potentials (VRPs). CGP35024 and l-baclofen, but not gabapentin, also inhibited the polysynaptic and monosynaptic phases of electrically-evoked VRPs, as well as the ‘wind-up’ response to repetitive stimulation. These data indicate that CGP35024 and l-baclofen modulate nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord to inhibit neuropathic hyperalgesia, and that CGP35024 has a therapeutic window for antihyperalgesia over spasmolysis.

Keywords:  GABA_B receptors, Neuropathic pain, Gabapentin, Spinal cord