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We recently demonstrated that pain-sensing neurons in the trigeminal system can be selectively anesthetized by co-application of QX-314 with the TRPV1 receptor agonist, capsaicin (QX cocktail). Here we examined whether this new anesthetic strategy can block the neuronal changes in the brainstem following molar tooth extraction in the rat. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received infiltration injection of anesthetic 10 min prior to lower molar tooth extraction. Neuronal activation was determined by immunohistochemistry for the proto-oncogene protein c-Fos in transverse sections of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Sp5C). After tooth extraction, c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) detected in the dorsomedial region of bilateral Sp5C was highest at 2 hrs (p < .01 vs. naïve ipsilateral) and declined to pre-injury levels by 8 hrs. Pre-administration of the QX cocktail significantly reduced to sham levels Fos-LI examined 2 hrs after tooth extraction; reduced Fos-LI was also observed with the conventional local anesthetic lidocaine. Pulpal anesthesia by infiltration injection was confirmed by inhibition of the jaw-opening reflex in response to electrical tooth pulp stimulation. Our results suggest that the QX cocktail anesthetic is effective in reducing neuronal activation following tooth extraction. Thus, a selective pain fiber 'nociceptive anesthetic' strategy may provide an effective local anesthetic option for dental patients in the clinic.

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Background and Introduction: Consumption of drugs for malignancy treatment varies between countries. Developed countries have higher allocations for health protection, more resources for the treatment of malignant diseases and better access to expensive drugs. Material and Methods: The authors have used the available data on consumption of anticancer medicines in Serbia, Slovakia and Norway during the year 2012. Data, analyzed using Microsoft Excel, are expressed in grams of active ingredient per million in one year as well as in Euro spent for this drugs. Results: Demographic data indicate that mortality due to malignant diseases in Slovakia and Norway was 2100 deaths per million inhabitants, while in Serbia mortality was slightly higher, 3050 deaths per million inhabitants. In Slovakia 190 million Euros was allocated for drugs for malignancies, or about 37 million Euros per million. In Serbia, only 73 million Euros for anticancer medicines, or about 10 million Euros per million was allocated, what is much less compared to the Slovak republic and Norway. Data on consumption of 10 most expensive oncology drugs show that the least of these drugs are consumed in Serbia regard to the consumption in Slovakia and Norway. Among them, the most consumed oncology drug in Serbia is trastuzumab, used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. For this indication is also used cheaper lapatinib, which has the highest consumption among the most expensive drugs in Slovakia. Conclusion: Countries with lower GDP have less availability of anticancer medicines in amount and in quantity. Despite this fact, between the selected countries there are not drastic differences in mortality. Countries with lower GDP, must use wisely oncology drugs if they want to allocate their resources for treatment of other diseases as well. The work is part of Serbian Republic project No 41012.