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Previous studies showed that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1B/1D) receptor stimulation by triptans alleviates neuropathic pain caused by chronic constriction injury to the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION) but not the sciatic nerve (CCI-SN) in rats. To assess whether such differential effects in the cephalic vs extracephalic territories is a property shared by other antimigraine drugs, we used the same models to investigate the effects of olcegepant, which has an antimigraine action mediated through calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockade. Adult male rats underwent unilateral CCI to the ION or the SN, and subsequent allodynia and/or hyperalgesia were assessed in ipsilateral vibrissal territory or hindpaw, respectively, using von Frey filaments and validated nociceptive tests. c-Fos expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry and interleukin 6 and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) mRNAs by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Like naratriptan (0.1 to 0.3mg/kg, subcutaneously), olcegepant (0.3 to 0.9mg/kg, intravenously) markedly reduced mechanical allodynia in CCI-ION rats. In contrast, in CCI-SN rats, mechanical allodynia was completely unaffected and hyperalgesia was only marginally reduced by these drugs. A supra-additive antiallodynic effect was observed in CCI-ION rats treated with olcegepant (0.3mg/kg intravenously) plus naratriptan (0.1mg/kg subcutaneously), whereas this drug combination remained inactive in CCI-SN rats. Olcegepant (0.6mg/kg, intravenously) significantly reduced the number of c-Fos immunolabeled cells in spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and upregulation of ATF3 transcript (a marker of neuron injury) but not that of interleukin-6 in trigeminal ganglion of CCI-ION rats. These findings suggest that CGRP receptor blockade might be of potential interest to alleviate trigeminal neuropathic pain.

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