Journal
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
Volume 13, Issue 3, Pages 249-252Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.04.013
Keywords
Pulsed radiofrequency; Pain; Descending noradrenergic and serotonergic system; Inflammation
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of several types of pain. The mechanism of action, however, is not well known. In a recent study, the antinociceptive effects of acute thermal pain were shown to be mediated via descending pain inhibitory pathways. In this Study we observed an analgesic effect of PRF treatment in an adjuvant induced inflammatory pain model in rats. In this model, sciatic nerves were treated with PRF at 37 degrees and 42 degrees, which inhibited hyperalgesia in the inflammatory groups when compared to RF and sham treatment. This effect was attenuated after intrathecal administration of the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine, the selective 5-HT3 serotonin receptor antagonist MDL72222, and the non-selective serotonin receptor antagonist methysergide. All three drugs were found to significantly inhibit the analgesic effect of PRF. The results suggest that the analgesic action of PRF involves the enhancement of noradrenergic and serotonergic descending pain inhibitory pathways. (C) 2008 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available