SUPPRESSION OF NEUROPATHIC PAIN BY A NATURALLY-DERIVED PEPTIDE WITH NMDA ANTAGONIST ACTIVITY

Chronic pain may result from hyperexcitability following activation of spinal NMDA receptors. A naturally-derived mammalian peptide, histogr anin, may possess NMDA. antagonist activity. This study explored the p ossibility that stable analog [Ser(1)]Histogranin (SHG) could reduce c hronic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced using the chronic constricti on injury model (CCI). Intrathecal injection of SHG markedly attenuate d the hyperalgesia and allodynia resulting from CCI, nearly normalizin g responses. These results suggest that the natural peptide histograni n may be a novel adjunct in neuropathic pain management.