Currently, limited information regarding the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in neuropathic pain is available. Intracerebroventricular administrations of an anti-CGRP antibody were performed in rats with infraorbital nerve ligation. Anti-CGRP antibody administration attenuated mechanical and heat hypersensitivities induced by nerve ligation and decreased the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression levels in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) following mechanical or heat stimulation. An increased CGRP immunoreactivity in the Vc appeared after nerve ligation. A decreased CGRP immunoreactivity resulted from anti-CGRP antibody administration. Our findings suggest that anti-CGRP antibody administration attenuates the symptoms of trigeminal neuropathic pain by acting on CGRP in the Vc.
Keywords: Calcitonin gene-related peptide; Chronic constriction injury; Orofacial sensory hypersensitivity; Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis.
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