Reduction in the mechanonociceptive response by intrathecal administration of glycine and related compounds

RK Simpson, M Gondo, CS Robertson… - Neurochemical …, 1996 - Springer
RK Simpson, M Gondo, CS Robertson, JC Goodman
Neurochemical research, 1996Springer
We have previously reported that enhanced glycine release is produced by epidural spinal
cord stimulation, a clinical method for treating neuropathic pain. Our current hypothesis is
that glycine administered intrathecally reduces neuropathic pain as measured by the
Randall-Selitto method. Neuropathic rats created by unilateral partial ligation of the sciatic
nerve were treated with intrathecal infusion of glycine, strychnine, MK-801, or 5, 7-DKA at
0.1 μmol, or artificial CSF for 2 hours at a rate of 10 μl/min. Force required to produce the …
Abstract
We have previously reported that enhanced glycine release is produced by epidural spinal cord stimulation, a clinical method for treating neuropathic pain. Our current hypothesis is that glycine administered intrathecally reduces neuropathic pain as measured by the Randall-Selitto method. Neuropathic rats created by unilateral partial ligation of the sciatic nerve were treated with intrathecal infusion of glycine, strychnine, MK-801, or 5,7-DKA at 0.1 μmol, or artificial CSF for 2 hours at a rate of 10 μl/min. Force required to produce the pain response was significantly increased after glycine administration and reduced using strychnine, a specific glycine receptor (Gly 1) antagonist. Strychnine blocked the response to glycine when infused together. Administration of the non-specific NMDA receptor MK-801 antagonist and 5,7-DKA, a specific glycine-NMDA receptor (Gly 2) antagonist, however, failed to block the response to glycine. Our results provide evidence for the use of glycine and related compounds to treat neuropathic pain.
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