Neuropathic pain research: Evaluation of ketamine, nimodipine, gabapentin and im

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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 2007, 29(7): 443

Evaluation of ketamine, nimodipine, gabapentin and imipramine in

partial sciatic nerve transection model of neuropathic pain in rat:

An experimental study

Hota, D., Bansal, V., Pattanaik, S.

The aim of this research is to study the effects of nimodipine,

gabapentin, ketamine and imipramine in the partial sciatic nerve

transection (PST) model of neuropathic pain in rats. PST was

produced in young Wistar rats of either sex by partial destruction

of the sciatic nerve. A decrease in the latency to paw withdrawal

reaction on the hot plate was considered as development of

neuropathy.

The drugs were given daily from the third day of the procedure, and

evaluation was done on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. There was a

significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the paw withdrawal response in

the nimodipine group from day 14 onward when compared with the

control group.

In the ketamine and imipramine group, this response was seen from

day 21 onward. The effect persisted till the end of the study. There

was no improvement in the gabapentin group. The results of our study

show that nimodipine (dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker),

ketamine (NMDA antagonist) and imipramine (tricyclic antidepressant)

modulated hyperalgesia and allodynia in the PST model of neuropathy.

Gabapentin (an alpha-2 delta calcium subunit blocker) did not show

any effect in this model of neuropathy.

The widespread use of gabapentin in various types of neuropathic

pain thus needs to be reevaluated.