Characterization of nerve growth factor-induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in rats.

BACKGROUND: Injection of nerve growth factor (NGF) produces mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in rodents and humans. Treatment with sequestering antibodies demonstrates the importance of NGF in various pain states, with efficacy seen in a number of animal pain models and in painful human conditions. However, these phenomena have not been evaluated in the context of using NGF-induced hypersensitivities as a model of pain. METHODS: NGF-induced behaviours were characterized using von Frey filament, pinprick and thermal endpoints and then pharmacologically evaluated with known reference agents. RESULTS: Intraplantar NGF injection produced a dose-dependent increase in thermal sensitivity that lasted through 24 h post-injection and an immediate long-lasting (2 week) increase in mechanical sensitivity at the injection site, with no effects detected at secondary sites. NGF-induced mechanical sensitivity was pharmacologically characterized at 4 h and 1 week post-NGF injection. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), celecoxib and diclofenac, were minimally effective against both thermal and mechanical endpoints. Gabapenitn and duloxetine were only moderately effective against thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. Morphine was effective against thermal and mechanical endpoints at every time point examined. Treatment with the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist A-784168 partially attenuated NGF-induced thermal and mechanical sensitivity at all time points examined. CONCLUSIONS: The results reported here suggest that effects of NGF on thermal and mechanical sensitivity in rats are similar to those reported in human and are partially driven by TRPV1. The rat NGF model may serve as a potential translational model for exploring the effects of novel analgesic agents.

Assessing carrageenan-induced locomotor activity impairment in rats: comparison with evoked endpoint of acute inflammatory pain.

BACKGROUND: Most animal models currently used to evaluate antinociceptive efficacy of analgesics rely on the assessment of evoked pain behaviours as primary endpoints. METHODS: Here, we have developed and characterized the carrageenan-induced locomotor activity impairment (CLAIM) model to objectively assess non-evoked inflammatory pain behaviour in rats. In this model, 100 µL of 1% carrageenan was subcutaneously injected into the plantar aspect of the right hind paw and exploratory behaviour in the novel testing chamber was recorded using an automated locomotor activity system. RESULTS: Carrageenan-injected animals exhibited an exploratory behavioural deficit 2-7 h following injection compared to saline-injected animals. The severity of impairment was carrageenan dose related, and sensitive to the light intensity in the testing room. The effects of standard analgesics on CLAIM were examined 2 or 3 h following carrageenan injection. Diclofenac and ibuprofen, in a dose range exerting no effect on locomotor activity in naïve rats, exhibited dose-related reversal of CLAIM (ED(50) = 1.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively), with comparable efficacy on carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia (ED(50) = 2.0 and 6.0 mg/kg, respectively). Gabapentin and duloxetine produced no reversal of CLAIM, or attenuation of thermal hyperalgesia. Efficacy discrepancy was noted for morphine on thermal hyperalgesia and CLAIM. Additionally, amphetamine dose dependently reversed CLAIM, and similarly increased locomotor activity in normal animals. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results presented here demonstrate that CLAIM provides an objective assessment of non-evoked pain behaviours for acute inflammatory pain. The pharmacological profile of standard analgesics supports that CLAIM model can be used to identify agents to treat acute inflammatory pain in the clinic.

Peripheral and central sites of action for the non-selective cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 in a rat model of post-operative pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Activation of cannabinoid (CB) receptors decreases nociceptive transmission in inflammatory or neuropathic pain states. However, the effects of CB receptor agonists in post-operative pain remain to be investigated. Here, we characterized the anti-allodynic effects of WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) in a rat model of post-operative pain. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: WIN 55,212-2 was characterized in radioligand binding and in vitro functional assays at rat and human CB(1) and CB(2) receptors. Analgesic activity and site(s) of action of WIN were assessed in the skin incision-induced post-operative pain model in rats; receptor specificity was investigated using selective CB(1) and CB(2) receptor antagonists. KEY RESULTS: WIN 55,212-2 exhibited non-selective affinity and agonist efficacy at human and rat CB(1) versus CB(2) receptors. Systemic administration of WIN decreased injury-induced mechanical allodynia and these effects were reversed by pretreatment with a CB(1) receptor antagonist, but not with a CB(2) receptor antagonist, given by systemic, intrathecal and supraspinal routes. In addition, peripheral administration of both CB(1) and CB(2) antagonists blocked systemic WIN-induced analgesic activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Both CB(1) and CB(2) receptors were involved in the peripheral anti-allodynic effect of systemic WIN in a pre-clinical model of post-operative pain. In contrast, the centrally mediated anti-allodynic activity of systemic WIN is mostly due to the activation of CB(1) but not CB(2) receptors at both the spinal cord and brain levels. However, the increased potency of WIN following i.c.v. administration suggests that its main site of action is at CB(1) receptors in the brain.

Blockade of mGluR1 receptor results in analgesia and disruption of motor and cognitive performances: effects of A-841720, a novel non-competitive mGluR1 receptor antagonist.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To further assess the clinical potential of the blockade of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1) for the treatment of pain. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We characterized the effects of A-841720, a novel, potent and non-competitive mGluR1 antagonist in models of pain and of motor and cognitive function. KEY RESULTS: At recombinant human and native rat mGluR1 receptors, A-841720 inhibited agonist-induced calcium mobilization, with IC50 values of 10.7+/-3.9 and 1.0 +/- 0.2 nM, respectively, while showing selectivity over other mGluR receptors, in addition to other neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, and transporters. Intraperitoneal injection of A-841720 potently reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain (ED50 = 23 micromol kg(-1)) and monoiodoacetate-induced joint pain (ED50 = 43 micromol kg(-1)). A-841720 also decreased mechanical allodynia observed in both the sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury and L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) models of neuropathic pain (ED50 = 28 and 27 micromol kg(-1), respectively). Electrophysiological studies demonstrated that systemic administration of A-841720 in SNL animals significantly reduced evoked firing in spinal wide dynamic range neurons. Significant motor side effects were observed at analgesic doses and A-841720 also impaired cognitive function in the Y-maze and the Water Maze tests. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The analgesic effects of a selective mGluR1 receptor antagonist are associated with motor and cognitive side effects. The lack of separation between efficacy and side effects in pre-clinical models indicates that mGluR1 antagonism may not provide an adequate therapeutic window for the development of such antagonists as novel analgesic agents in humans.

Comparison of antinociceptive actions of standard analgesics in attenuating capsaicin and nerve-injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.

Intradermal capsaicin injection produces immediate spontaneous pain behaviors, and a secondary mechanical hypersensitivity (SMH) that is employed in the clinic as a model potentially predictive of human neuropathic pain. Presently, we have characterized capsaicin-induced SMH in rats, and compared pharmacological actions of standard analgesics in this and two nerve injury models, the L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) and sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) models. Intraplantar capsaicin produced dose-related SMH (enhanced paw withdrawal response to von Frey monofilament stimulation at an area away from injection site) that lasted for over 4 h. While pretreatment with a potent selective transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1) antagonist A-425619 (1-isoquinolin-5-yl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-urea) prevented development of acute nocifensive (flinching) behavior immediately following capsaicin injection (ED(50)=4.9 mg/kg), the compound failed to attenuate the SMH when administered 2 h following capsaicin (10 microg/10 microl). Additional standard analgesics were also tested 3 h following intraplantar capsaicin in the SMH model. Comparison of their potencies in attenuating mechanical hypersensitivity in capsaicin, SNL and CCI models revealed similar ED(50)s for morphine (2.3 mg/kg, 1.6 mg/kg and 3.2 mg/kg, respectively), gabapentin (33.1 mg/kg, 33.9 mg/kg and 26.3 mg/kg, respectively) and lamotrigine (9.1 mg/kg, 8.9 mg/kg and 15.5 mg/kg, respectively). Duloxetine produced 50-65% effect at the highest tested dose (50 mg/kg), whereas the highest tested doses of morphine (10 mg/kg), gabapentin (85.5 mg/kg) and lamotrigine (30 mg/kg) all produced >70% efficacy in capsaicin SMH, SNL and CCI models. In contrast, celecoxib and ibuprofen showed weak effects in all three models. All standard analgesics generally had weak efficacy in attenuating capsaicin-induced immediate acute flinching behavior when administered before capsaicin. These results provide further support to the suggestions that distinct pharmacological mechanisms underlie capsaicin-induced acute nocifensive and SMH behaviors, and certain neuronal mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain states are also contributory to capsaicin-induced SMH.

TRPV1 receptors in the CNS play a key role in broad-spectrum analgesia of TRPV1 antagonists.

Vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) is a ligand-gated nonselective cation channel that is considered to be an important integrator of various pain stimuli such as endogenous lipids, capsaicin, heat, and low pH. In addition to expression in primary afferents, TRPV1 is also expressed in the CNS. To test the hypothesis that the CNS plays a differential role in the effect of TRPV1 antagonists in various types of pain, the analgesic effects of two TRPV1 antagonists with similar in vitro potency but different CNS penetration were compared in vivo. Oral administration of either A-784168 (1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-N-[4-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-carboxamide) (good CNS penetration) or A-795614 (N-1H-indazol-4-yl-N'-[(1R)-5-piperidin-1-yl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]urea) (poor CNS penetration) blocked capsaicin-induced acute pain with the same potency. In complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic inflammatory pain, oral administration of either compound blocked thermal hyperalgesia with similar potency. Furthermore, intraplantar or intrathecal administration of A-784168 blocked CFA-induced thermal hyperalgesia, suggesting that both peripheral and CNS TRPV1 receptors may play a role in inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia. The effects of the two TRPV1 antagonists were further assessed in models presumably mediated by central sensitization, including CFA- and capsaicin-induced mechanical allodynia and osteoarthritic pain. In these models, the potency of the two compounds was similar after intrathecal administration. However, when administered orally, A-784168, with good CNS penetration, was much more potent than A-795614. Together, these results demonstrate that TRPV1 receptors in the CNS play an important role in pain mediated by central sensitization. In addition, these results demonstrate that significant CNS penetration is necessary for a TRPV1 antagonist to produce broad-spectrum analgesia.

Pyridopyrimidine analogues as novel adenosine kinase inhibitors.

A novel series of pyridopyrimidine analogues 9 was identified as potent adenosine kinase inhibitors based on the SAR and computational studies. Substitution of the C7 position of the pyridopyrimidino core with C2' substituted pyridino moiety increased the in vivo potency and enhanced oral bioavailability of these adenosine kinase inhibitors.

A-134974: a novel adenosine kinase inhibitor, relieves tactile allodynia via spinal sites of action in peripheral nerve injured rats.

Extracellular levels of adenosine (ADO) can be raised through inhibition of adenosine kinase (AK), a primary metabolic enzyme for ADO. AK inhibitors have shown antinociceptive activity in a variety of animal models of nociception. The present study investigated the antinociceptive actions of a novel and selective AK inhibitor, A-134974 (IC(50)=60 pM), in a rat model of neuropathic pain (ligations of the L5/L6 spinal nerves) and explored the relative contributions of supraspinal, spinal and peripheral sites to the actions of A-134974. Systemic A-134974 dose-dependently reduced tactile allodynia (ED(50)=5 micromol/kg, i.p.) for up to 2 h. Fall latencies in the rotorod test of motor coordination were unaffected by systemic administration of A-134974 (at doses up to 30 micromol/kg, i.p.). Administration of A-134974 intrathecally (i.t.) was more potent (ED(50)=10 nmol) in relieving tactile allodynia than delivering the compound by intracerebroventricular (ED(50)>100 nmol, i.c.v.) or intraplantar (ED(50)>500 nmol) routes suggesting that spinal sites of action are the primary contributors to the anti-allodynic action of A-134974. The anti-allodynic effects of systemic A-134974 (10 micromol/kg, i.p.) were antagonized by the non-selective ADO receptor antagonist, theophylline (30-500 nmol) administered i.t. These data demonstrate that the novel AK inhibitor A-134974 potently reduces tactile allodynia through interactions with spinal sites and adds to the growing evidence that AK inhibitors may be useful as analgesic agents in a broad spectrum of pain states.

Effects of A-134974, a novel adenosine kinase inhibitor, on carrageenan-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia and locomotor activity in rats: evaluation of the sites of action.

The present study investigated 1) antihyperalgesic actions of a novel and selective adenosine kinase (AK) inhibitor, A-134974 (IC(50) = 60 pM), in the carrageenan model of thermal hyperalgesia; 2) effects of A-134974 on locomotor activity; and 3) relative contributions of supraspinal, spinal, and peripheral sites to the actions of A-134974. Systemic A-134974 (i.p.) dose dependently reduced hyperalgesia (ED(50) = 1 micromol/kg) and at higher doses, reduced locomotor activity (ED(50) = 16 micromol/kg). Administration of A-134974 intrathecally (i.t.) was more potent (ED(50) = 6 nmol) at producing antihyperalgesia than delivering the compound by intracerebralventricular (ED(50) = 100 nmol, i.c.v.) or intraplantar (ED(50) >300 nmol) routes. In contrast, i.c.v. administration of A-134974 was more effective in reducing locomotor activity than i.t. administration (ED(50) values were 1 and >100 nmol, respectively). Increasing the pretreatment time for i.t.-delivered A-134974 caused a greater reduction in locomotor activity (ED(50) = 10 nmol). This was due to diffusion of A-134974 (i.t.) to supraspinal sites. The antihyperalgesic effects of systemic A-134974 were antagonized by the adenosine receptor antagonist theophylline (THEO, 30-500 nmol) administered i.t., but not i.c.v. In the locomotor assay, i.t.-injected THEO did not antagonize hypomobility caused by systemic or i.t. administration of A-134974. However, i.c.v. infusion of THEO did block the hypomotive actions of i.c.v.-, i.t.-, and i.p.-administered A-134974. These data demonstrate that the novel AK inhibitor A-134974 potently reduces thermal hyperalgesia primarily through interactions with spinal sites, whereas its ability to depress locomotor activity is predominantly mediated by supraspinal sites.

Structure-activity studies of 5-substituted pyridopyrimidines as adenosine kinase inhibitors.

The synthesis and SAR of a novel series of non-nucleoside pyridopyrimidine inhibitors of the enzyme adenosine kinase (AK) are described. It was found that pyridopyrimidines with a broad range of medium and large non-polar substituents at the 5-position potently inhibited AK activity. A narrower range of analogues was capable of potently inhibiting adenosine phosphorylation in intact cells indicating an enhanced ability of these analogues to penetrate cell membranes. Potent AK inhibitors were found to effectively reduce nociception in animal models of thermal hyperalgesia and persistent pain.

ABT-702 (4-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-7-(6-morpholino-pyridin- 3-yl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine), a novel orally effective adenosine kinase inhibitor with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. II. In vivo characterization in the rat.

Adenosine kinase (AK; EC 2.7.1.20) is a key intracellular enzyme regulating intra-and extracellular concentrations of adenosine (ADO), an endogenous neuromodulator, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory autocoid. AK inhibition provides a means of potentiating local tissue concentrations of endogenous ADO, and AK inhibitors may have therapeutic potential as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. The effects of ABT-702, a novel, potent (IC(50) = 1.7 nM), and selective non-nucleoside AK inhibitor were examined in rat models of nociception and acute inflammation. ABT-702 was orally effective and fully efficacious to suppress nociception in a spectrum of pain models in the rat, including carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia, the formalin test of persistent pain, and models of nerve injury-induced and diabetic neuropathic pain (tactile allodynia after L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation or streptozotocin injection, respectively.) ABT-702 was especially potent at relieving inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia (ED(50) = 5 micromol/kg p.o.). ABT-702 was also effective in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model of acute inflammation (ED(50) = 70 micromol/kg p.o.). The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of ABT-702 were blocked by selective ADO receptor antagonists, consistent with endogenous ADO accumulation and ADO receptor activation as a mechanism of action. The antinociceptive effects of ABT-702 were not blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone. In addition, ABT-702 showed less potential to develop tolerance to its antinociceptive effects compared with morphine. ABT-702 had no significant effect on rotorod performance or heart rate (at 30-300 micromol/kg p.o.), mean arterial pressure (at 30-100 micromol/kg p.o.), or exploratory locomotor activity (at

Site and event specific increase of striatal adenosine release by adenosine kinase inhibition in rats.

The effects of the systemically administered adenosine kinase (AK) inhibitor, 5'-deoxy-5-iodotubercidin (5'd-5IT) on the striatal adenosine (ADO) release evoked by the excitotoxin, kainic acid (KA) were examined using rat bilateral striatal microdialysis. Local KA perfusion of one rat striatum caused a significant ipsilateral elevation of striatal ADO levels compared to basal and contralateral (artificial CSF-perfused) striatal ADO levels. KA-evoked striatal ADO release was augmented in animals receiving systemic 5'd-5IT treatment (cumulative dose of 7.5 micromol/kg, i.p.) compared with i.p. vehicle controls. In contrast, 5'd-5IT administration had no significant effect on basal or contralateral (artificial CSF-perfused) striatal ADO levels. Thus, consistent with the hypothesis of 'site and event specific' potentiation of ADO by AK inhibitors, 5'd-5IT unilaterally enhanced ADO levels in the striatum where KA-induced excitotoxic injury evoked endogenous ADO release, but not at the contralateral uninjured striatum.

Hyperactivity and behavioral seizures in rodents following treatment with the dopamine D1 receptor agonists A-86929 and ABT-431.

A-86929 ((-)-trans-9,10-dihydroxy-2-propyl-4,5,5a,6,7,11b-hexahydro-3- thia-5-azacyclopent-1-ena[c]phenanthrene) is a potent and selective full agonist at the dopamine D1 receptor. Both A-86929 and ABT-431 ((-)-trans-9,10-diacetyloxy-2-propyl-4,5,5a,6,7,11b- hexahydro-3-thia-5-azacyclopent-1-ena[c]phenanthrene hydrochloride), the diacetyl prodrug derivative of A-86929, were evaluated for their effects on behavioral excitability in rodents. In rats, A-86929 produced a dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity that was attenuated by the selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, as well as by higher doses of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol. Repeated administration of A-86929 over 6 days produced hyperactivity which did not change in magnitude across days. Acute administration of A-86929 and ABT-431 to mice produced behavioral seizure activity, with ED50 values of 7.1 and 2.7 mumol/kg, s.c., respectively, that was blocked by SCH 23390. Young rats (35-37 days) exhibited behavioral seizures following A-86929 and ABT-431 treatment (ED50 = 34.2 and 35.6 mumol/kg, s.c., respectively), but at doses higher than those required in mice. Moreover, adult rats (3 months) were less sensitive (ED50 = 345 mumol/kg, s.c.) to A-86929-induced seizures than young rats. Comparison of the ED50 values that produced behavioral seizure activity in rats with those previously established to produce contralateral rotation (ED50 = 0.24 mumol/kg, s.c.) in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat indicates that a significant dose separation exists between these two properties of A-86929.

ABT-431: the diacetyl prodrug of A-86929, a potent and selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist: in vitro characterization and effects in animal models of Parkinson's disease.

(-)-Trans 9,10-hydroxy-2-propyl-4,5,5a,6,7,11b-hexahydro-3-thia-5- azacyclopent-1-ena[c]phenanthrene hydrochloride (A-86929) is a potent and selective full agonist at the dopamine (DA) D1-like receptor. Judging by its binding affinities to the D1 and D2 classes of receptors, the compound is approximately 20-fold D1 receptor-selective, whereas relative potencies based on functional in vitro assays indicate that A-86929 is greater than 400-fold D1-selective. A-86929 has moderate to weak (Ki > 1 microM) affinity at other monoaminergic and peptidergic receptors, at ion channels and at monoamine uptake sites. The catechol of A-86929 was bis-acetylated to produce the prodrug, (-)-trans 9,10-acetoxy-2-propyl-4,5,5a,6,7,11-b-hexahydro-3-thia- 5-azacyclopent-1-ena[c]phenanthrene hydrochloride (ABT-431), which is more chemically stable yet is rapidly converted to the parent compound with a half-life of less than 1 min in plasma. Both A-86929 and ABT-431 produced contralateral rotation in rats bearing unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions, with ED50 values of 0.24 mumol/kg s.c. and 0.54 mumol/kg s.c., respectively. A-86929 and ABT-431 improved behavioral disability scores and increased locomotor activity in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned marmoset model of Parkinson's disease in a dose-dependent manner (the minimum effective dose was 0.10 mumol/kg s.c.). When administered three times daily for 30 consecutive days to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned marmosets, A-86929 significantly improved disability scores throughout the duration of the study. Current Parkinson's disease therapy includes L-dopa, which stimulates both classes of DA receptors by virtue of its conversion to DA in vivo, and direct-acting D2-selective agonists. Stimulation of the D2 receptor, which is associated with all current DA agonist-based therapies, may contribute to their dose-limiting side effects. An agent such as A-86929 (or its prodrug ABT-431), which selectively stimulates the D1 receptor, may represent a novel mechanism for Parkinson's disease therapy with the potential for an improved side-effect profile and, consequently, improved patient compliance.