Antioxidants and gabapentin prevent heat hypersensitivity in a neuropathic pain model.

ABSTRACTBackground: The involvement of voltage-dependent calcium channels and reactive oxygen species in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain might justify the preventative administration of antioxidant enzymes, at low doses, in combination with gabapentin (GaP) to maximize its analgesic effect in an experimental model of neuropathic pain in rats. Methods: This work investigated the analgesic effects of these drugs, alone or in combination, by intraperitoneal administration for three consecutive days before (Series I) or after (Series II) a peripheral neuropathy induced by left sciatic nerve ligation. A prospective randomized study was conducted using 96 Wistar rats (50 males and 46 females). Mechanical hypersensitivity was measured with a dynamic plantar anesthesiometer. A hot plate analgesia meter calculated the thermal sensitivity. Side effect profiles for drug combinations were evaluated with a conventional scale to assess levels of sedation interfering with postural control and righting reflexes. ...