Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators: The Future of Chronic Pain Therapy?

Abstract

Chronic pain (CP) is a severe clinical entity with devastating physical and emotional consequences for patients, which can occur in a myriad of diseases. Often, conventional treatment approaches appear to be insufficient for its management. Moreover, considering the adverse effects of traditional analgesic treatments, specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) have emerged as a promising alternative for CP. These include various bioactive molecules such as resolvins, maresins, and protectins, derived from ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); and lipoxins, produced from ω-6 PUFAs. Indeed, SPMs have been demonstrated to play a central role in the regulation and resolution of the inflammation associated with CP. Furthermore, these molecules can modulate neuroinflammation and thus inhibit central and peripheral sensitizations, as well as long-term potentiation, via immunomodulation and regulation of nociceptor activity and neuronal pathways. In this context, preclinical and clinical studies have evidenced that the use of SPMs is beneficial in CP-related disorders, including rheumatic diseases, migraine, neuropathies, and others. This review integrates current preclinical and clinical knowledge on the role of SPMs as a potential therapeutic tool for the management of patients with CP.

Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty-Acid Supplementation Upregulates Protective Cellular Pathways in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Exhibiting Improvement in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

“…Both pre-existing, pre-clinical, and emerging clinical data raise the potential of using omega-3 PU-FAS as a primary or complementary treatment of several human chronic and traumatic conditions. The lack of toxicity and the ready availability of omega-3 PUFAs suggest an exciting avenue for therapy conditions associated with both acute and chronic pain [11,15,[46][47][48]. To date, most studies with omega-3 PUFAs have been largely descriptive.…”

Piezo1 Channels as Force Sensors in Mechanical Force-Related Chronic Inflammation

“…Chronic inflammation is often accompanied by physical and psychological symptoms, including pain and mood changes. Pain is an adaptive response of the body to injury, and these symptoms have a serious impact on the quality of life during chronic inflammation ( 126 ). Nociception provides a means of neurofeedback that allows the central nervous system (CNS) to detect and avoid toxic and potentially destructive stimuli (for example, heat, cold, mechanical, or chemical stimuli) inactive and passive environments ( 127 ).The accumulation of K + and H + in local lesions during inflammation, especially inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin, serotonin, bradykinin, and other stimulating nociceptors, is the main cause of pain ( 127 ).…”

Exploring the Links between Obesity and Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Review

“…Thus, an altered SPM/eicosanoid ratio in peripheral blood/tissue predicts disease progression and treatment efficacy [105,106]. Inhibition of COX-2 prostanoid production by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) changes the enzymatic activity of an endoperoxide synthase, leading to endogenous aspirin-activated lipid mediators (AT) production, including anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipoxins [102,103].…”