HYPERALGESIA AND ALLODYNIA INDUCED BY INTRATHECAL (RS)-DIHYDROXYPHENYLGLYCINE IN RATS

To investigate the role of Group I mGluRs in allodynia and hyperalgesi a, we examined the behavioural responses of rats to noxious and non-no xious mechanical and thermal stimuli following intrathecal (i.t.) trea tment (25 nmol) with the selective mGluR(1/5) agonist, (RS)-dihydroxyp henylglycine ((RS)-DHPG). (RS)-DHPG administration produced a persiste nt decrease in response latency on a 48 degrees C hotplate, a reductio n in the 50% response threshold to von Frey hairs, and an increase in responses to a tail pinch. These data suggest that activation of spina l mGluR(1/5) receptors plays a role in the development of persistent a llodynia and hyperalgesia associated with tissue or nerve injury. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.