Pain research & management : the journal of the Canadian Pain Society = journal de la société canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur
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Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a major component of turmeric, which is isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. from the family Zingiberaceae. It is used as a dietary pigment for curry and in traditional Indian medicine for its anti-inflammatory and attenuating pain effects. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of curcumin in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain. ⋯ Curcumin treatment for 4 consecutive weeks in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathic pain rats improved behavioral responses to mechanical, cold, and thermal stimuli. Increased pJNK expression in the astrocytes and neurons of the DRG in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathic pain rats was reduced by curcumin treatment for 4 consecutive weeks. We suggest that curcumin can be an option for the treatment of diabetes-related neuropathic pain, and one of the mechanisms that underlie the action of curcumin may involve pJNK expression in the astrocytes and neurons of the DRG.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Modulatory Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 on Mechanical Sensitivity in a Female Diet-Induced Obesity Model.
Obese animals and humans demonstrate higher sensitivity to pain stimuli. Among the endogenous factors prompting obesity, the intestinal microbiota has been proposed to influence responsiveness to pain. The beneficial effects of probiotics on obesity are well documented, whereas data on their analgesic efficacy is minimal. ⋯ Bodyweight was considerably lower (P < 0.001) in groups supplied with probiotics than groups without probiotics. Pressure pain threshold values showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase (reduced pain sensitivity) following probiotic supplementation, proposing a modulatory effect of probiotics on mechanical sensory circuits and mechanical sensitivity, which might be a direct consequence of weight loss or an indirect result of the probiotics' anti-inflammatory properties. Understanding the precise underlying mechanism for the effect of probiotics on weight loss and mechanical pain sensitivity seen in this study warrants further investigation.
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Observational Study
The Relationship between Higher Chronic Opioid Therapy Dose and Specific Personality Traits in Individuals with Chronic Pain.
To evaluate the relationship between opioid use and specific personality traits among individuals with chronic pain stratified by morphine equivalent doses (MEQ). ⋯ Compared to individuals using no or lower-dose opioids to treat chronic pain, those using high-dose opioids had higher scores on two maladaptive personality traits (i.e., anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance) which was associated with poorer mood, greater pain interference, lower quality of life, and dysfunctional coping. These maladaptive personality traits may help to explain how individuals with chronic pain utilize higher doses of opioid analgesics.
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During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), allocating intensive care beds to patients needing acute care surgery became a very difficult task. Moreover, since general anesthesia is an aerosol-generating procedure, its use became controversial. This strongly restricted therapeutic strategies. Here, we report a series of undeferrable surgical cases treated with awake surgery under neuraxial anesthesia. Contextual benefits of this approach are deepened. ⋯ In our experience, awake laparotomy under regional anesthesia resulted feasible, safe, painless, and, in specific cases, was the only viable option. This approach allowed prevention of the need of postoperative intensive monitoring during the COVID-19 era. In such a peculiar time, we believe it could become part of an ICU-preserving strategy and could limit viral transmission inside theatres.
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2020/4636838.].