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Standard methods assessing pain in rodents are often observer dependent, potentially resulting in biased outcomes. Advanced dynamic weight bearing (ADWB) offers an observer-independent approach that can provide objective, reliable data in preclinical pain research. The aim of this study was to characterize the use of ADWB in assessing murine responses to allyl isothiocyanate (AITC)-induced hyperacute hypersensitivity and identify best practices for use of the device. Male C57BL/6J mice received intraplantar injections of saline or 0.1% AITC solution and were assessed using the ADWB system; simultaneous observer-dependent durations of paw licking and biting were measured. ADWB data were analyzed using the proprietary software from Bioseb and correlated to observer-dependent results, with parameters assessed to optimize data collected. ADWB detected pain-directed changes in weight and surface area distribution in AITC-treated mice, with paw weight and surface area placement correlating to paw licking and biting. Optimization of adjustable threshold parameters allowed for reduced coefficients of variability and increased duration of validated data. The ADWB assay provides an efficient and unbiased measure of chemical-induced hyperacute hypersensitivity in mice. ADWB detection parameters influence amount of validated data and variability, a consideration for data analysis in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground Standard methods assessing pain in rodents are often observer dependent, potentially resulting in biased outcomes. Advanced dynamic weight bearing (ADWB) offers an observer-independent approach that can provide objective, reliable data in preclinical pain research.Aims The aim of this study was to characterize the use of ADWB in assessing murine responses to allyl isothiocyanate (AITC)-induced hyperacute hypersensitivity and identify best practices for use of the device.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice received intraplantar injections of saline or 0.1% AITC solution and were assessed using the ADWB system; simultaneous observer-dependent durations of paw licking and biting were measured. ADWB data were analyzed using the proprietary software from Bioseb and correlated to observer-dependent results, with parameters assessed to optimize data collected.Results ADWB detected pain-directed changes in weight and surface area distribution in AITC-treated mice, with paw weight and surface area placement correlating to paw licking and biting. Optimization of adjustable threshold parameters allowed for reduced coefficients of variability and increased duration of validated data.Conclusions The ADWB assay provides an efficient and unbiased measure of chemical-induced hyperacute hypersensitivity in mice. ADWB detection parameters influence amount of validated data and variability, a consideration for data analysis in future studies.

Investigations on the use of medicinal plants are appealing to researchers. In Iranian traditional medicine, Ferula szowitsiana is used as an analgesic. This study investigates the effect of the extract of aerial parts of Ferula szowitsiana on an experimental model of chemical pain induced by subplantar injection of formalin. The Ferula szowitsiana hydroalcoholic extract was prepared with ethanol, Tween 80 and saline at a ratio of 8:1:1 serving as a solvent. Wistar Rats in the weight range of 200-250 g were divided into 10 groups randomly (n=7) according to treatment applied as follows: control; solvent (intraperitoneal, i.p.); solvent (intrathecal, i.t.); extract (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg i.p.); extract (80 μg/10 μL i.t); naloxone (2 mg/kg i.p.); extract (400 mg/kg) and naloxone (i.p.). To study the chemical pain, subplantar administration of formalin was performed in all groups. The results showed that the extract could reduce chemical pain in the neurogenic and inflammatory phase dose dependently as compared to the control group. The magnitude of the response after intrathecal administration of a dose of 80 μg/10μL was comparable to that observed with 400 mg/kg of extract administered via the intraperitoneal route. The administration of naloxone as an opioid receptor antagonist reversed the analgesic effect of the extract completely. According to the results, it seems that at least a significant part of the analgesic effect of Ferula szowitsiana extract is exerted through its effect on the central nervous system, and the analgesic effect of the extract in acute and inflammatory chemical pain is due to its effect on the opioid system.

Rationale: Animal studies and anecdotal human reports suggest that cannabinoids have antinociceptive effects. Controlled human studies have produced mixed results. Objectives: We sought to reduce existing variability by investigating the effects of intravenous delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in several pain paradigms within the same human subjects, addressing some of the limitations to the published literature. Methods: In this exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, healthy human subjects received 0.01 mg/kg or 0.03 mg/kg intravenous THC or placebo (ethanol vehicle) infused over 10 min on three test days, each separated by at least 72 h. Capsaicin (250 μg) was injected intradermally to induce chemical pain and hyperalgesia. Four other forms of acute pain were induced: mechanical (von Frey filament), hot and cold (thermode), and electrical (pulse generator). Pain ratings were obtained before drug administration, at peak drug effects, and 2 h after drug administration and included both objective and subjective measures. THC drug effects and vital signs were also collected during experimental sessions. Nonparametric analysis with repeated measures was performed. Results: THC induced euphoria, perceptual and cognitive alterations, and tachycardia in a dose-related manner, but failed to have significant effects in experimentally induced acute chemical, mechanical, thermal, or electrical pain and capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia. Conclusions: In this exploratory controlled study, intravenous THC lacked significant antinociceptive properties in experimental models of acute pain and capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia in healthy human subjects. Continued study of THC and other cannabinoids through high-quality, controlled studies in both healthy volunteers and patients with pain conditions is warranted to inform the growing demand for the clinical application of cannabinoids in pain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Influences of lead on functions of many organ systems are known, but less experimental studies has been done on influences over the behavior, including pain sensation. This study was carried out to reveal possible changes in the onset and intensity of reactions to painful stimuli in mice, after long-term exposure to lead acetate. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male albino mice were divided randomly into 3 groups of 8 each. Control group received fresh water ad lib and 2 treated groups received drinking water contaminated by either 5 ppm or 500 ppm of LA for 90 consecutive days. On the day of 91, nociceptive were performed using a hot plate and formalin, to evaluate onset and intensity of reaction in response to the thermal and chemical pain, respectively. At the end, the animals were euthanized and blood samples were collected for determination of cortisol levels using an ELISA assay. Results: The animals exposed to LA showed a delay in reaction to painful stimuli induced by thermal stimulus by 52% and 59% with low and high doses, respectively. Thermal pain intensity of reactions to was declined by 63% with LA 5 ppm and by 82% with LA 500 ppm (P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: As a crucial micronutrient, copper ion is engaged in various biochemical pathways and affects central nervous system, pain, and inflammation. Considering the significance of pain in physical and mental condition of patients, the present study aims to find new ways to reduce pain by investigating the effect of copper chloride on thermal and chemical pain and inflammatory edema through central and peripheral administrations. METHODS: In this empirical study, 77 male Wister rats (200–250g) were divided into 11 groups (n=7) including control group (with no treatment), sham 1 (saline, i.p) receiving 5, 10, 20 and 100 mg/kg CuCl2 intraperitoneally (i.p), sham 2 (saline, intrathecal (i.t)) receiving 0.002mg/10µl and 0.02mg/10µl CuCl2 intrathecally (i.t), sham 3 group receiving saline plus naloxone intraperitoneally (i.p) and the group receiving 10 mg/kg CuCl2 plus 2 mg/kg naloxone intraperitoneally (i.p). Thermal and chemical pain and the volume of inflammatory edema were assessed using tail flick, formalin and plethysmometery tests, respectively. Elevated plus maze and rotarod tests were used to examine the side effects of CuCl2. FINDINGS: 10 and 20 mg/kg CuCl2 (i.p) respectively reduced thermal pain (1.69±0.38 and 1.55±0.53) (p

Although T-type Ca2+ channels are implicated in nociception, the function of specific subtypes has not been well defined. Here, we compared pain susceptibility in mice lacking CaV3.2 subtype of T-type Ca2+ channels (CaV3.2−/−) with wild-type littermates in various behavioral models of pain to explore the roles of CaV3.2 in the processing of noxious stimuli in vivo. In acute mechanical, thermal and chemical pain tests, CaV3.2−/− mice showed decreased pain responses compared to wild-type mice. CaV3.2−/− mice also displayed attenuated pain responses to tonic noxious stimuli such as intraperitoneal injections of irritant agents and intradermal injections of formalin. In spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain, however, behavioral responses of CaV3.2−/− mice were not different from those of wild-type mice. The present study reveals that the CaV3.2 subtype of T-type Ca2+ channels are important in the peripheral processing of noxious signals, regardless of modality, duration or affected tissue type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]