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Reduction in the mechanonociceptive response by intrathecal administration of glycine and related compounds

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Abstract

We have previously reported that enhanced glycine release is produced by epidural spinal cord stimulation, a clinical method for treating neuropathic pain. Our current hypothesis is that glycine administered intrathecally reduces neuropathic pain as measured by the Randall-Selitto method. Neuropathic rats created by unilateral partial ligation of the sciatic nerve were treated with intrathecal infusion of glycine, strychnine, MK-801, or 5,7-DKA at 0.1 μmol, or artificial CSF for 2 hours at a rate of 10 μl/min. Force required to produce the pain response was significantly increased after glycine administration and reduced using strychnine, a specific glycine receptor (Gly 1) antagonist. Strychnine blocked the response to glycine when infused together. Administration of the non-specific NMDA receptor MK-801 antagonist and 5,7-DKA, a specific glycine-NMDA receptor (Gly 2) antagonist, however, failed to block the response to glycine. Our results provide evidence for the use of glycine and related compounds to treat neuropathic pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, 77030, Houston, Texas

    Richard K. Simpson Jr., Margaret Gondo & Claudia S. Robertson

  2. Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, 77030, Houston, Texas

    J. Clay Goodman

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  1. Richard K. Simpson Jr.
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  2. Margaret Gondo
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  3. Claudia S. Robertson
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  4. J. Clay Goodman
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Simpson, R.K., Gondo, M., Robertson, C.S. et al. Reduction in the mechanonociceptive response by intrathecal administration of glycine and related compounds. Neurochem Res 21, 1221–1226 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02532399

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