Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) is considered a clinically incurable condition despite various treatment options due to its diverse causes and complicated disease mechanisms. Since the early 2000s, multipotent human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have been used in the treatment of NP in animal models. However, the effects of hMSC injections have not been studied in chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP) mice models. Here, we investigated whether intrathecal (IT) and intrapaw (IP) injections of hMSCs can reduce mechanical allodynia in CPIP model mice. Methods: Seventeen CPIP C57/BL6 mice were selected and randomized into four groups: IT sham (n = 4), IT stem (n = 5), IP sham (n = 4), and IP stem (n = 4). Mice in the IT sham and IT stem groups received an injection of 5 μL saline and 2 × 104 hMSCs, respectively, while mice in the IP sham and IP stem groups received an injection of 5 μL saline and 2 × 10 5 hMSCs, respectively. Mechanical allodynia was assessed using von Frey filaments from pre-injection to 30 days post-injection. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were also evaluated. Results: IT and IP injections of hMSCs improved mechanical allodynia. GFAP expression was decreased on day 25 post-injection compared with the sham group. Injections of hMSCs improved allodynia and GFAP expression was decreased compared with the sham group. Conclusions These results suggested that hMSCs may be also another treatment modality in NP model by ischemia-reperfusion.

Background: Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model is one of the representative models of the neuropathic pain model. Neuropathic pain in a chronic post-ischemic pain (CPIP) mimics the symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The administration of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which has regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects, has been studied and is used in clinical practice treating various diseases. However, the analgesic effect of PDRN in a neuropathic pain or CRPS model remains unknown. Methods: PDRN (3.3, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered into the subcutaneous (SC) layer of the hind paws of SNL and CPIP models. Mechanical anti-allodynic effects were then investigated using the von Frey test. In the immunohistochemical examination, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the spinal cord were harvested and examined for the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after the 20 mg PDRN injection. Results: Mechanical allodynia was significantly alleviated by administration of PDRN in SNL and CPIP mice at all of the time point. As the dose of PDRN increased, the effect was greater. The 20 mg PDRN injection was found to have the most effective anti-allodynic effect. The increased expression of GFAP in DRG and the spinal cord of SNL and CPIP model decreased following the administration of PDRN than vehicle. Conclusion SC administration of PDRN results in the attenuation of allodynia and activation of astrocytes in neuropathic pain or CRPS models. We propose that PDRN can have significant potential advantages in neuropathic pain treatment.

Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty may lead to complications such as hematoma, infection, epidural abscess, meningitis, hypotension, respiratory depression, urinary and fecal dysfunction, sexual dysfunction and paresthesia. Other technical complications may include shearing or tearing, misplacement, blockage and migration of the catheter. We report a case of a 41-year-old female patient, who underwent surgical removal of a sheared catheter, which was retained for 30 months after cervical Racz neuroplasty.
Adult ; Catheters* ; Epidural Abscess ; Epidural Space* ; Female ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Meningitis ; Neck ; Paresthesia ; Respiratory Insufficiency

PURPOSE: Levodopa is the most effective anti-Parkinsonian agent. It has also been known to exhibit analgesic properties in laboratory and clinical settings. However, studies evaluating its effects on neuropathic pain are limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the anti-allodynic effects of levodopa in neuropathic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats underwent the surgical procedure for L5 and L6 spinal nerves ligation. Sixty neuropathic rats were randomly divided into 6 groups for the oral administration of distilled water and levodopa at 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. We co-administered carbidopa with levodopa to prevent peripheral synthesis of dopamine from levodopa, and observed tactile, cold, and heat allodynia pre-administration, and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min after drug administration. We also measured locomotor function of neuropathic rats using rotarod test to examine whether levodopa caused side effects or not. RESULTS: Distilled water group didn't show any difference in all allodynia. For the levodopa groups (10-100 mg/kg), tactile and heat withdrawal thresholds were increased, and cold withdrawal frequency was decreased dose-dependently (p<0.01). In addition, levodopa induced biphasic analgesia. Different dosage of levodopa did not impact on the rotarod time (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Levodopa reversed tactile, cold and heat allodynia in neuropathic rat without any side effects.
Animals ; Carbidopa/administration & dosage/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Dopamine Agents/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Hyperalgesia/*drug therapy ; Levodopa/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Neuralgia/*drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rotarod Performance Test

The long belief that dental primary afferent (DPA) neurons are entirely composed of nociceptive neurons has been challenged by several anatomical and functional investigations. In order to characterize non-nociceptivepopulation among DPA neurons, retrograde transport fluorescent dye was placed in upper molars of rats and immunohistochemical detection of peripherin and neurofilament 200 in the labeled trigeminal ganglia was performed. As the results, majority ofDPA neurons were peripherin-expressing small-sized neurons, showing characteristic ofnociceptive C-fibers. However, 25.7% of DPA were stained with antibody against neurofilament 200, indicating significant portion of DPA neurons are related to large myelinated Abeta fibers. There were a small number of neurons thatexpressed both peripherin and neurofilament 200, suggestive of Adelta fibers. The possible transition of neurochemical properties by neuronal injury induced by retrograde labeling technique was ruled out by detection of minimal expression of neuronal injury marker, ATF-3. These results suggest that in addition to the large population of C-fiber-related nociceptive neurons, a subset of DPA neurons is myelinated large neurons, which is related to low-threshold mechanosensitive Abeta fibers. We suggest that these Abeta fiber-related neurons might play a role as mechanotransducers of fluid movement within dentinal tubules.
Animals ; Dentin ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Molar ; Myelin Sheath ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Neurofilament Proteins ; Neurons ; Neurons, Afferent ; Nociceptors ; Rats ; Trigeminal Ganglion

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are important mediators of immune response to surgery and pain.The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of remifentanil on serum levels of cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. METHODS: Twenty four patients scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy were randomly assigned to control or remifentanil group.Both groups received 1.5-2.5% end tidal concentration of sevoflurane and air in 50% oxygen.Remifentanil group received a bolus of remifentanil 1microgram/kg over 1 min and an infusion of remifentanil at a rate of 0.1microgram/kg/min.Control group received 10 ml saline (placebo) and an infusion of saline at the same rate. Venous blood samples for measurement of serum cytokine concentrations were taken before anesthesia (T1), at 2 h after infusion (T2), and at the 1 hour after surgery (T3). RESULTS: Serum TNF-alpha concentration did not differ significantly over time in both groups.Serum TNF-alpha concentration was higher in remifentanil group at T3 (9.76 +/- 1.19 pg/ml vs.8.53 +/- 0.71 pg/ml) than in control group (P < 0.05). In both groups, serum IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher at T3, when compared to those at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil did not attenuate early postoperative change of serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. Serum IL-6 level increased at postoperative 1 h, regardless of remifentanil use.
Anesthesia ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Interleukin-6 ; Methyl Ethers ; Piperidines ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of intrarectal lidocaine-gel and periprostatic nerve block, or the combined method, on the reduction of pain during repeated transrectal prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 61 patients with a negative pathology after an initial sextant biopsy, with no sedatives or analgesia, were rebiopsied using the 12 extended biopsy technique. The patients scheduled for a repeat prostate biopsy were randomized to the combination method (group 1, 19 patients), periprostatic nerve block (group 2, 23 patients) or intrarectal lidocaine-gel (group 3, 19 patients). After the repeat biopsy, the rectal pain during probe insertion, pain intensity during prostate biopsy and complication rates were recorded. Pain was evaluated by a 10-point linear visual analogue scale (VAS). An ANOVA test was used as the statistical analysis for the assessment of VAS, with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in mean patient age, prostate specific antigen level, prostate volume and complication rates between the groups. The VAS during probe insertion were significantly lower in group 1 and 3 (mean 1.74 and 1.84) than in group 2 (mean 3.96, p<0.001). The VAS during biopsy was significantly lower in group 1 (mean 3.05) than group 3 (mean 4.63, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Periprostatic nerve block decreased pain during the repeated prostate biopsy, but had no effect on the pain felt during transrectal probe insertion. Intrarectal lidocaine-gel decreased the pain only during probe insertion. However, the combination of intrarectal lidocaine-gel and periprostatic nerve block was effective in reducing the pain, both at biopsy and during probe insertion, in the repeated 12 core biopsy.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Biopsy* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Lidocaine* ; Nerve Block ; Pathology ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen

We present an unusual case of a penile cavernosal abscess. This patient did not improve clinically despite repeat percutaneous aspiration of the abscess and administration of oral fluoroquinolone. Surgical drainage was required. Culture of pus and infected tissues were negative. Three months postoperatively, penile deviation to the left side and erectile dysfunction occurred but the patient was able to have sexual intercourse by using the medication of oral vardenafil. Colchicine was administered orally to the patient for 9 months and the penile curvature was improved.
Abscess* ; Coitus ; Colchicine ; Drainage ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; Suppuration ; Vardenafil Dihydrochloride