Effects of pregabalin on visceral pain responses and colonic compliance in rats

Background and purpose: Pregabalin, which binds to the α 2 ‐δ subunit of voltage‐gated calcium channels, increased the threshold for pain during colorectal distension (CRD) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. We tested the effects of oral pregabalin on the visceral pain‐related viscerosomatic and autonomic cardiovascular responses to CRD and colonic compliance in rats. Experimental approach: The activity of the abdominal musculature (viscerosomatic response), monitored by electromyography and intracolonic manometry, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate, monitored by telemetry, were assessed simultaneously in conscious rats during CRD. Key results: Pregabalin (10–200 μmol kg −1 , p.o.) inhibited dose dependently the viscerosomatic response to phasic, noxious CRD (12 distensions at 80 mm Hg). At 200 μmol kg −1 , pregabalin also reduced the increase in blood pressure and heart rate associated with noxious CRD. Moreover, pregabalin (200 μmol kg −1 , p.o.) reduced the visceromotor response to ascending phasic CRD (10–80 mm Hg) and significantly increased the threshold pressure for response. During phasic CRD (2–20 mm Hg), pregabalin (200 μmol kg −1 , p.o.) increased intracolonic volume, resulting in a shift to the left of the pressure–volume relationship curve, indicative of an increase of compliance. Conclusions and implications: Pregabalin reduced the viscerosomatic and autonomic responses associated with CRD‐induced visceral pain and increased colonic compliance in rats. These observations confirm the analgesic activity of pregabalin on visceral pain and support the translational value of the CRD model to humans. Ligands for the α 2 ‐δ subunit might represent interesting compounds for the treatment of visceral pain disorders, such as IBS. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155 , 407–416; doi: 10.1038/bjp.2008.259 ; published online 23 June 2008