Phenyl N-t-butylnitrone, a reactive oxygen species scavenger, reduces zymosan-induced visceral pain in rats

Neurosci Lett. 2008 Jul 11;439(2):216-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.05.018. Epub 2008 May 10.

Abstract

To examine a possible involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in visceral pain, the levels of ROS in the colon and the effect of a ROS scavenger phenyl N-t-butylnitrone (PBN) on pain were examined in zymosan-induced colitis rats. Zymosan was instilled into the colon of adult rats. The electromyograms (EMGs) of abdominal muscle contractions in response to colorectal distension (CRD) were recorded as an indicator of visceral pain. After zymosan treatment, the rats showed enhanced EMG and elevated levels of H2O2 in the colon. PBN treatment (intraperitoneal, intrathecal or intracolonic) significantly reduced the enhanced EMGs induced by zymosan. The results suggest that elevated ROS in the spinal cord and the colon are involved in visceral pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Cyclic N-Oxides / therapeutic use*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Electromyography
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Pain / chemically induced*
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors
  • Zymosan*

Substances

  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone
  • Zymosan
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Peroxidase