Beneficial effects of fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to assess the preventive effect of an eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid-concentrate fish oil on neuropathic pain development and regenerative features of sciatic nerve in rats. METHODS: In the present study, rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and sham-operated ones received fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (0.36 or 0.72 g/kg per day, oral) or saline solution for 21 days, with thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia being assessed before and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury. KEY FINDINGS: Fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (0.72 g/kg) reversed thermal hyperalgesia and significantly reduced mechanical allodynia. In addition, ω-3 treatment (0.72 g/kg) promoted the recovery of the Sciatic Functional Index as well as restored axonal density and morphology, without the formation of neuroma in the injured sciatic nerves after 21 days. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids administration relieves thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia effectively and also enhances the recovery process in rats with CCI of the sciatic nerve. These findings might contribute to new therapeutic approaches including omega-3 fatty acids in neuropathic pain treatment.

Evidence of promising biological-pharmacological activities of the sertraline-based copper complex: (SerH2)2[CuCl4].

In the current study the ability of copper complex to exert multiple biological activities is combined with the pharmacological action of sertraline (SerH2Cl, antidepressant drug). The hydrated and anhydrous forms of the tetrachlorocuprate(II) salts, namely (SerH2)2[CuCl4]·½H2O and (SerH2)2[CuCl4], were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The hydrate complex crystallizes in the monoclinic P21 space group with a=8.0807(2) Å, b=36.2781(8) Å, c=12.6576(3) Å, ß=95.665(2)°, and Z=4 molecules per unit cell and the un-hydrate in P21 with a=13.8727(6) Å, b=7.5090(3) Å, c=18.618(1) Å, ß=104.563(6)°, and Z=2. It has been suggested that Cu(II) ions might be critical in the development of mood disorders, showed potent biocidal activity, and also acted as analgesic adjuvant. To improve sertraline efficiency, the antidepressant and analgesic activities of the complex have been assessed in rats denoting a marked synergistic effect. Antithyroid and antimicrobial activities were also evaluated. Because depressive disorders and hyperthyroidism diseases led to an oxidative stress state, antioxidant capability has also been tested. The complex behaved as a good superoxide radical scavenger (IC50=6.3×10-6M). The ability of the complex to act as bromoperoxidase mimic was assessed. A pseudo-first order constant of k=0.157±0.007min-1 has been determined. The complex evidences promising biological-pharmacological activities and the albumin binding studies showed a Kb of 2.90×103M-1 showing an improvement in the uptake of sertraline by albumin at 8h incubation (time required for effective interaction of sertraline with the protein).

Analgesia enhancement and prevention of tolerance to morphine: beneficial effects of combined therapy with omega-3 fatty acids.

OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence associates omega-3 fatty acids (O3) with pain reduction. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of O3, either alone or in combination with morphine after acute and chronic administration in rats. As well, a new pharmaceutical mixture that allows the concomitant administration of O3 and morphine as an oral solution was developed. METHODS: Animals were fed on a control or an experimental diet supplemented with O3. They were subjected to the hot-plate test to assess analgesic effect and tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine. The open-field test was carried out to determine if the differences in the response latency can be related to non-specific sedative effects. KEY FINDINGS: O3 dietary supplementation increased the response latency compared with the control group. Acute treatment with morphine in these groups resulted in an additive antinociceptive effect not related to locomotor activity. Chronic coadministration of morphine with O3 attenuated the development of tolerance. Oral administration of the new pharmaceutical mixture showed analgesic activity with a subtherapeutic dose of morphine. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests a role for O3 as adjuncts to opioids in pain therapy and might contribute to the reduction of the occurrence of morphine side-effects.