Antinociceptive Effects of Amikacin on Neuropathic Pain in Rats

Background: Recently, aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin, neomycin and amikacin have been known to have antinociceptive effects on several pain models in rats and mice, in addition to their antibacterial activities. However, there has been no report concerning aminoglycosides antinociceptive effects on neuropathic pain. The present study was undertaken to assess the antinociceptive action of amikacin and also to investigate a possible antinociceptive mechanisms through the use of antagonists in an neuropathic pain models in rats. Methods: Rats were prepared with tight ligation at the left 5th and 6th lumbar spinal nerves (according to Kim and Chungs neuropathic pain model). The antinociceptive effects of amikacin (1, 10, and 100 mg/kg i.p.) in rats with neuropathic pain were assessed. In addition, after co-administration of naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p.) with 10 mg/kg of amikacin, the responses to mechanical stimulus were measured over two hours. Results: The antinociceptive effects shown by amikacin on neuropathic pain were significant (P ＜ 0.05), but were inhibited by co-administered naloxone in rats with mechanical allodynia. Conclusions: Amikacin showed significant antinociceptive effects in rats with neuropathic pain against mechanical allodynia. The antinociceptive effect on the mechanical stimuli was mediated through the opioid receptor.본 연구는 서울대학교병원 일반학술연구비(00-3-3-55) 지원으로 수행되었음