EFEITO DO TRATAMENTO COM O ANTIOXIDANTE APOCININA NO DESENVOLVIMENTO E MANUTENÇÃO DA DOR NEUROPÁTICA

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is considered a difficult treatment pain syndrome. According to studies, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generally modulate cellular processes and its levels are regulated by antioxidants. Conversely, increased levels of ROS may be related to the development and maintenance of persistent pain, such as neuropathic pain. Additionally, peripheral nerve injury can lead to increased production of ROS. Since the antioxidants administration has analgesic effect in neuropathic pain, the current study was conducted in order to evaluate the role of ROS in the development and maintenance of peripheral neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic (CCS), specifically, we evaluated the effect of previous, chronic or delayed systemic administration of antioxidant apocynin. Administration of apocynin prior to the CCS did not prevent the development of hyperalgesia. On the other hand, chronic treatment reduced the hyperalgesia induced by CCS on the 3rd and 7th day of the experiment. The late treatment reduced the hyperalgesia on the 17th day. Thus, our results point to an involvement of ROS in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. In addition, chronic administration can prevent temporarily the development of hyperalgesia. While the late treatment may promote a slight decrease in hyperalgesia even after the installation of the same.