Journal article
Pregabalin produces analgesia in males but not females in an animal model of chronic widespread muscle pain
Pain reports, Vol.9(6), e1207
12/01/2024
DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001207
PMCID: PMC11581757
PMID: 39574484
Abstract
Introduction: Pregabalin, which acts on the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, relieves ≥50% of pain in a third of individuals with fibromyalgia. Thus far, preclinical studies of pregabalin have predominantly used male animals.
Objectives: The purpose of our study was to investigate potential sex differences in the analgesic efficacy of pregabalin that may contribute to disparities in human outcomes.
Methods: We used a mouse model of chronic widespread muscle pain (CWP) to test the effects of pregabalin on muscle hyperalgesia, nonreflexive pain, and motor behaviors. The CWP pain model combines 2 pH 4.0 saline injections, spaced 5 days apart, into the gastrocnemius muscle and produces bilateral muscle hyperalgesia. Furthermore, we explored sex differences in the mRNA and protein expression of the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after development of CWP.
Results: Pregabalin fully attenuated muscle hyperalgesia bilaterally in male but not female mice with equal motor deficits produced in both sexes. In addition, using the conditioned place preference test, mice of both sexes with CWP spent significantly more time in the pregabalin-paired chamber compared with baseline, but not significantly greater than pain-free controls. Chronic widespread muscle pain produced no changes in α2δ-1 subunit mRNA or protein expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord or dorsal root ganglia in either sex.
Conclusion: Overall, these findings indicate pregabalin may be more effective in treating CWP in males, but the factors leading to these differences are not fully understood.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Pregabalin produces analgesia in males but not females in an animal model of chronic widespread muscle pain
- Creators
- Ashley N. Plumb - University of IowaKazuhiro Hayashi - University of IowaAdam Janowski - University of IowaAngela Smith - University of IowaLynn Rasmussen - University of IowaKathleen A. Sluka - University of IowaJoseph B. Lesnak - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pain reports, Vol.9(6), e1207
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer; PHILADELPHIA
- DOI
- 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001207
- PMID
- 39574484
- PMCID
- PMC11581757
- ISSN
- 2471-2531
- eISSN
- 2471-2531
- Grant note
- NS045549 / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke AR073187 / National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases GM067795 / National Institute of General Medical Sciences NS007421-23 / National Institute of General Medical Sciences PODS 1 / Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Record Identifier
- 9984749732702771
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