Anesthesiology
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Gabapentin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid analog anticonvulsant, has been shown to possess antinociceptive effects in animal models and clinical trials. An endogenous binding site of [3H]gabapentin has been revealed to be the alpha(2)delta subunit of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Magnesium chloride, ruthenium red, and spermine have been shown to modulate [3H]gabapentin binding to this binding site in vitro. In this study, the authors examined whether intrathecal magnesium chloride, ruthenium red, or spermine could affect the antiallodynic effect of intrathecal gabapentin in a rat model of postoperative pain. ⋯ These results provide behavioral evidence to support that the alpha(2)delta subunit of Ca2+ channels may be involved in the antiallodynic action of intrathecal gabapentin in the postoperative pain model.
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Comment Letter
Need for additional control in studies of epidural outcome.