Junzo Kamei and Ko Zushida
Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Hoshi University,
4-41, Ebara 2-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
Abstract: The antinociceptive effect of mexiletine in diabetic
mice was examined. Tail-flick latencies at heat intensity of 35 and 50ﾊV
in diabetic mice were shorter than those in non-diabetic mice. In diabetic
mice, mexiletine increased the tail-flick latency at 35ﾊV to the level observed
in non-diabetic mice. The tail-flick latency at 50ﾊV in diabetic mice, but
not in non-diabetic mice, was increased by pretreatment with capsaicin (0.56ﾊnmol,
i.t., 24ﾊh). The antinociceptive effect of mexiletine in diabetic mice was
reduced by capsaicin. These results suggest that the mexiletine-induced
antinociception in diabetic mice involves the inhibition of the nociceptive
transmission of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers.
Keywords: Mexiletine, Hyperalgesia, Diabetes
Copyrightｩ The Japanese Pharmacological Society 2000
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