The effects of alpha2-adrenoceptor agents on anti-hyperalgesic effects of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine in a rat model of inflammatory pain

Pain. 2006 Nov;125(1-2):10-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.04.023. Epub 2006 Jun 13.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of yohimbine (alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and clonidine (alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist) on anti-hyperalgesia induced by carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine in a rat model of inflammatory pain were investigated. Carbamazepine (10-40 mg/kg; i.p.) and oxcarbazepine (40-160 mg/kg; i.p.) caused a significant dose-dependent reduction of the paw inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by concanavalin A (Con A, intraplantarly) in a paw pressure test in rats. Yohimbine (1-3 mg/kg; i.p.) significantly depressed the anti-hyperalgesic effects of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Both drug mixtures (carbamazepine-clonidine and oxcarbazepine-clonidine) administered in fixed-dose fractions of the ED50 (1/2, 1/4 and 1/8) caused significant and dose-dependent reduction of the hyperalgesia induced by Con A. Isobolographic analysis revealed a significant synergistic (supra-additive) anti-hyperalgesic effect of both combinations tested. These results indicate that anti-hyperalgesic effects of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are, at least partially, mediated by activation of adrenergic alpha2-receptors. In addition, synergistic interaction for anti-hyperalgesia between carbamazepine and clonidine, as well as oxcarbazepine and clonidine in a model of inflammatory hyperalgesia, was demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists*
  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Carbamazepine / administration & dosage*
  • Carbamazepine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Concanavalin A
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hyperalgesia / chemically induced
  • Hyperalgesia / drug therapy*
  • Hyperalgesia / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Concanavalin A
  • Carbamazepine
  • Oxcarbazepine