Background and purpose: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressed on spinal microglia and astrocytes has been suggested to play an important role in the regulation of pain signalling. The purpose of the present work was to examine the links between TLR4, glial activation and spinal release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), and the role these factors play in TLR4-induced tactile allodynia. Experimental approach: Toll-like receptor 4 was activated by intrathecal (i.t.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and KDO2-Lipid A (KDO2) to rats. Tactile allodynia was assessed using von Frey filaments and cerebrospinal fluid collected through spinal dialysis and lumbar puncture. PGE2 and TNF levels were measured by mass spectometry and ELISA. Minocycline and pentoxifylline (glia inhibitors), etanercept (TNF-blocker) and ketorolac (COX-inhibitor) were given i.t. prior to injection of the TLR4-agonists, in order to determine if these agents alter TLR4-mediated nociception and the spinal release of PGE2 and TNF. Key results: Spinal administration of LPS and KDO2 produced a dose-dependent tactile allodynia, which was attenuated by pentoxifylline, minocycline and etanercept but not ketorolac. Both TLR4 agonists induced the spinal release of PGE2 and TNF. Intrathecal pentoxifylline blunted PGE2 and TNF release, while i.t. minocycline only prevented the spinal release of TNF. The release of PGE2 induced by LPS and KDO2 was attenuated by i.t. administration of ketorolac. Conclusions and implications: Activation of TLR4 induces tactile allodynia, which is probably mediated by TNF released by activated spinal glia.

Serial magnetic resonance imaging showed a rapid formation and regression of the masses initiated by intrathecal morphine infusion. These masses are dependent on local concentration.

This study describes the pharmacokinetics of intravenous hydromorphone in cats and the simultaneous measurement of antinociceptive pharmacodynamic effects using a thermal threshold testing system. Following establishment of a baseline thermal threshold, six adult cats were administered 0.1 mg/kg of hydromorphone intravenously. Thermal threshold testing and blood collection were conducted simultaneously at predetermined time points. Plasma hydromorphone concentrations were determined by a liquid chromatographic-mass spectral method and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by nonlinear least squares regression analysis. Plasma hydromorphone concentrations declined rapidly over time, and were below the limit of quantification of the assay (LOQ = 1.0 ng/mL) by 360 min. In contrast, thermal thresholds rose from a pretreatment value of 40.9 +/- 0.65 degrees C (mean +/- SEM) to instrument cut-out (55 degrees C) within 15 min and remained significantly elevated from 15-450 min after treatment. Inspection of the data revealed no direct correlation between plasma hydromorphone concentrations and the antinociceptive effect of this drug in cats. These findings support the importance of conducting pharmacokinetic studies in parallel with objective measurements of drug effect.

Acute nociceptive models which have been validated for large animal species are limited, yet nociceptive assessment in non-rodent species is important in analgesic drug development where larger animals may be necessary because of the technical requirements of the study. Here we report development and validation of a canine hind paw thermal escape model and the effect of analgesics on withdrawal latencies. Individual focused projection bulbs were used as left and right voltage-adjusted thermal stimuli placed below a glass plate in a specifically designed canine holding apparatus. After acclimation, dogs were lightly restrained in a fabric sling while standing on the glass plate. The anterior center of the metatarsal pad of the left and right hind paw was positioned on the glass over each light, and duration of stimulation tolerance timed. For every trial, the escape latency from lamp actuation to paw withdrawal was recorded twice for each hind paw. The mean population baseline withdrawal latency of 9.3+/-1.7s (mean+/-S.D., n=12 dogs) was shown to be repeatable between paws, within and between individual animals, and between test days. This latency corresponded to a glass surface temperature of 49.5 degrees C. A cut-off time of 20s (corresponding to a glass surface temperature of 56.5 degrees C) was set to prevent tissue damage. Intravenous administration (mg/kg) of morphine (1.0), hydromorphone (0.2), butorphanol (0.4), fentanyl (0.01), and dexmedetomidine (0.01) significantly (p<0.05) increased withdrawal latency from baseline within 15-30 min of administration while buprenorphine (0.03) produced a delayed, modest but significant latency increase. Rank order of opioid analgesic duration was morphine=hydromorphone>butorphanol>bupenorphine>fentanyl=saline. A dose-effect curve for hydromorphone was generated and corresponded to previously described dose-effect relationships in other species. The non-analgesic tranquilizer acepromazine (0.1mg/kg) produced mild sedation, but no significant increase in latency from that of saline. The model yielded a clear distinction between analgesia and sedation for all agents tested. These studies provide validation of a canine thermal escape model and have demonstrated the efficacy of clinically relevant doses of analgesics in elevating escape latencies. This model will facilitate quantification of the effects of parenterally and neuraxially administered analgesics in dogs.