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Neuropathic pain is enhanced in δ‐opioid receptor knockout mice
Author(s) -
Nadal Xavier,
Baños JosepEladi,
Kieffer Brigitte L.,
Maldonado Rafael
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.04569.x
Subject(s) - neuropathic pain , sciatic nerve , allodynia , hyperalgesia , knockout mouse , nociception , medicine , sciatic nerve injury , nerve injury , anesthesia , chronic pain , pharmacology , receptor , physical therapy
We have evaluated the possible involvement of δ‐opioid receptor (DOR) in the development and expression of neuropathic pain. For this purpose, partial ligation of the sciatic nerve was performed in DOR knockout mice and wild‐type littermates. The development of mechanical and thermal allodynia, as well as thermal hyperalgesia was evaluated by using the von Frey filament model, the cold‐plate test and the plantar test, respectively. In wild‐type and DOR knockout mice, sciatic nerve injury led to a neuropathic pain syndrome revealed in these nociceptive behavioural tests. However, the development of mechanical and thermal allodynia, and thermal hyperalgesia was significantly enhanced in DOR knockout mice. These results reveal the involvement of DOR in the control of neuropathic pain and suggest a new potential therapeutic use of DOR agonists.