Systemic excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor and of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor relieve mechanical hypersensitivity after transient spinal cord ischemia in rats.

We have previously reported that transient spinal cord ischemia induced a behavioral hypersensitivity (allodynia) to innocuous cutaneous mechanical stimulation in rats. The spinal ischemia-induced allodynia was not relieved by morphine, but it was relieved by the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-B receptor agonist baclofen, indicating that the allodynia may be related to dysfunction of the spinal GABA-ergic inhibitory system. In the present study we report that systemic application of 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX), an antagonist of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor for excitatory amino acids, dose-dependently relieved allodynia after spinal cord ischemia. The analgesic effect of NBQX at a low dose (7.5 mg/kg) was not accompanied by motor deficits or sedation. On the other hand, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) only partially alleviated allodynia, even at doses that produced severe motor deficits. It is suggested that the abnormal, possibly painful, sensations elicited by innocuous mechanical stimulation observed after spinal cord ischemia may be mediated by excitatory amino acids, acting mainly on the AMPA receptor. Antagonists of excitatory amino acid receptors, especially at the AMPA site, may be effective in treating pain conditions where input from low threshold afferents triggers painful sensations.