PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS INHIBITOR CYCLOHEXIMIDE DOSE-DEPENDENTLY DECREASES FORMALIN-INDUCED C-FOS PROTEIN AND BEHAVIORAL HYPERALGESIA IN RATS

We had previously demonstrated that c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleoti des dose-dependently suppressed formalin-induced c-Fos protein and beh avioral hyperalgesia, To test whether de novo protein synthesis is req uired for the development of persistent pain after peripheral inflamma tion, we observed formalin-induced spinal c-Fos protein and nociceptiv e behaviors following pretreatment with cycloheximide, a protein synth esis inhibitor. Cycloheximide dose-dependently inhibited formalin-indu ced spinal c-Fos protein and tonic nociceptive responses, The possible non-specific effects other than protein synthesis inhibition on nocic eptive behavior were carefully discussed and excluded. These results p rovide further support to the hypothesis that de novo protein synthesi s is essential for the development of behavioral hyperalgesia. (C) 199 7 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.