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The Use of Thalidomide in Treating PTSD and Co‐morbid Pain in an Animal Model of PTSD
Author(s) -
Dib Patrick,
Standifer Kelly
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.931.9
Subject(s) - medicine , allodynia , hyperalgesia , analysis of variance , anxiety , elevated plus maze , thalidomide , anesthesia , psychology , nociception , psychiatry , receptor , multiple myeloma
Single‐prolonged stress (SPS) is an established animal model for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We have previously reported that SPS induces increases in serum TNF‐α levels as well as long‐lasting mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia at day 3 post SPS. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of TNF‐α blockade on development of PTSD and co‐morbid pain symptoms. To achieve this, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to SPS; half of the SPS and control group rats were immediately presented with 50 mg/kg thalidomide (THL), a potent TNF‐α blocker, in 10% DMSO vehicle, daily, i.p for 5 days; non‐SPS rats received vehicle injections. THL almost completely prevented mechanical allodynia and reduces thermal hyperalgesia associated with SPS (p<0.05) that is normally noted as early as day 3 post SPS, without altering baseline sensitivity itself. Using a 2‐way ANOVA, a significant interaction was observed between THL and SPS (p<0.0001). Additionally, utilizing the elevated plus maze test, THL treatment reduces anxiety like behaviors, specifically mobility time, immobility time, open entries and time spent in open arms (p<0.05). Also, using a 2‐way ANOVA, a significant interaction was observed between THL and SPS (p<0.05) This suggests that immunomodulatory drugs such as THL, may offer a novel therapeutic method to prevent or reduce symptoms of PTSD and co‐morbid pain if administered shortly after the traumatic event. Support Department of the Army DMRDP W81XWH‐11‐2‐0077