The development and maintenance of human visceral pain hypersensitivity is dependent on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor

Gastroenterology. 2004 Mar;126(3):683-92. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2003.11.047.

Abstract

Background & aims: Visceral hypersensitivity is a common feature of functional gastrointestinal disorders. One speculated mechanism is an activity-dependent increase in spinal cord neuronal excitability (central sensitization), which is dependent on activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Our aims were to determine whether the development and maintenance of human visceral hypersensitivity is NMDA receptor mediated.

Methods: Healthy subjects were studied using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Pain thresholds to electrical stimulation were determined both in the proximal esophagus and in the foot (control) before and after a 30-minute distal esophageal infusion of 0.15 mol/L HCl acid. Ketamine (NMDA receptor antagonist) or saline (vehicle) was given intravenously either prior to or following acid infusion, and pain thresholds were measured for the following 120 minutes. Protocol 1: In 6 subjects, the effect of ketamine in the esophagus was assessed without acid infusion. Protocol 2: In 14 subjects, ketamine was given prior to esophageal acid. Protocol 3: In 12 subjects, ketamine was given after esophageal acid.

Results: Protocol 1: In the absence of esophageal acid, ketamine had no effect on either esophageal or foot pain thresholds (area-under-the-curve, [AUC] P = 0.36 esophagus, P = 0.34 foot, ANOVA) within 30 minutes of cessation of the infusion. Protocol 2: Acid-induced esophageal hypersensitivity was prevented by ketamine (AUC, P < 0.0001, ANOVA) without affecting foot pain thresholds (AUC, P = 0.06, ANOVA). Protocol 3: Ketamine delivered after acid reversed the induction of esophageal hypersensitivity induced by acid (AUC, P < 0.0001, ANOVA).

Conclusions: The induction and maintenance of acid-induced esophageal hypersensitivity is prevented and reversed by ketamine. This finding strongly indicates that central sensitization is a mechanism of visceral hypersensitivity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Area Under Curve
  • Attention / drug effects
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Esophagus
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Hydrochloric Acid / pharmacology
  • Hyperalgesia / etiology*
  • Hyperalgesia / physiopathology*
  • Hyperalgesia / prevention & control
  • Ketamine / adverse effects
  • Ketamine / pharmacology
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Viscera*

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Ketamine
  • Hydrochloric Acid