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Molecular Pain

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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Intraperitoneal injection of thalidomide attenuates bone cancer pain and decreases spinal tumor necrosis factor-α expression in a mouse model

Authors: Xiaoping Gu, Yaguo Zheng, Bingxu Ren, Rui Zhang, Fengmei Mei, Juan Zhang, Zhengliang Ma

Published in: Molecular Pain | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) may have a pivotal role in the genesis of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia during inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Thalidomide has been shown to selectively inhibit TNF-α production. Previous studies have suggested that thalidomide exerts anti-nociceptive effects in various pain models, but its effects on bone cancer pain have not previously been studied. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of thalidomide on bone cancer-induced hyperalgesia and up-regulated expression of spinal TNF-α in a mouse model.

Results

Osteosarcoma NCTC 2472 cells were implanted into the intramedullary space of the right femurs of C3H/HeJ mice to induce ongoing bone cancer related pain behaviors. At day 5, 7, 10 and 14 after operation, the expression of TNF-α in the spinal cord was higher in tumor-bearing mice compared to the sham mice. Intraperitoneal injection of thalidomide (50 mg/kg), started at day 1 after surgery and once daily thereafter until day 7, attenuated bone cancer-evoked mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia as well as the up-regulation of TNF-α in the spinal cord.

Conclusions

These results suggest that thalidomide can efficiently alleviate bone cancer pain and it may be a useful alternative or adjunct therapy for bone cancer pain. Our data also suggest a role of spinal TNF-α in the development of bone cancer pain.

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Title: Intraperitoneal injection of thalidomide attenuates bone cancer pain and decreases spinal tumor necrosis factor-α expression in a mouse model
Authors: Xiaoping Gu
Yaguo Zheng
Bingxu Ren
Rui Zhang
Fengmei Mei
Juan Zhang
Zhengliang Ma
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Molecular Pain / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1744-8069
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8069-6-64

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Intraperitoneal injection of thalidomide attenuates bone cancer pain and decreases spinal tumor necrosis factor-α expression in a mouse model

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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