Low dose of tetrodotoxin reduces neuropathic pain behaviors in an animal model

Yeoung Su Lyu, Soon Kwon Park, Kyungsoon Chung, Jin Mo Chung

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    107 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    We hypothesize that the accumulation of tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive sodium channels in injured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons plays a critically important role in the generation of ectopic discharges and mechanical allodynia after peripheral nerve injury. Using the segmental spinal nerve (L5) ligation model of neuropathic pain, this hypothesis was tested by examining the effect of TTX on the mechanical sensitivity of the affected hind paw. Various concentrations of TTX were applied topically to the L5 DRG by using chronically implanted polyethylene tubing. The data showed that application of TTX at low doses (12.5-50 nM), which are far less than those needed for blocking action potential conduction, produced a significant elevation of mechanical threshold in the paw for foot withdrawals, a sign of reduced allodynic behaviors. The data suggest that TTX-sensitive subtypes of sodium channels play an important role in maintaining allodynic behaviors in an animal model of neuropathic pain. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)98-103
    Number of pages6
    JournalBrain Research
    Volume871
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 14 2000

    Keywords

    • Allodynia
    • Dorsal root ganglion
    • Ectopic discharge
    • Local anesthetic
    • Sodium channel
    • Tetrodotoxin

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology
    • Clinical Neurology
    • Developmental Biology

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