Pain related behaviour during vincristine-induced neuropathy in rats

THE development of suitable animal models of neuropathic pain is essential to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for this condition, This study presents the alterations in nociception observed in rats suffering from a peripheral neuropathy induced by 10 daily repeated intravenous injections of vincristine at doses of 50 or 75 mu g/kg (total dose 500 or 750 mu g/kg). The rats present both mechanical hyperalgesia, anodynia and a loss of sensitivity (thermal hypoalgesia). Conservation of good health, the fast appearance of symptoms which correspond well with human responses and the easy induction of nociceptive symptoms are favourable criteria for using this model at 50 mu g/kg vincristine dose in the future. NeuroReport 10:965-968 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.