Introduction: Neuroinflammation is related with development of chronic neuropathic pain. Gabexate mesylate, a serine protease inhibitor, is anti-inflammatory drug used in the chronic pancreatitis. It has an effect in decreasing pain in the pancreatitis via reducing inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of gabexate mesylate on the development of neuropathic pain after spinal nerve ligation (SNL), and we focused on the involvement inflammatory factors.
Methods: After SNL (L5 and L6) of male Sprague-Dawley rats, development of neuropathic pain was confirmed after 3 days and drugs were administered intraperitonially for 14 days according to the groups (n=12 on each group). Rats were divided into three groups: group S (sham operated), group C received normal saline as a control, and group E received gabexate mesylate (20 mg/kg). The paw withdrawal threshold was examined using a von Frey filament on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th following SNL. The expression the inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated on the 7th day following SNL.
Results: The paw withdrawal threshold was significantly increased in the rats from group E compared with the rats from groups C (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α has significantly decreased in the rats from group E compared with the rats from groups C (P < 0.05) on the 7th day.
Conclusion: Gabexate mesylate increased withdrawal threshold after SNL. These results seem to be related with anti-inflammatory effect of gabexate mesylate.