Abstract
The influence of artemin (AR) on herpes-related pain responses was examined using mice infected with herpes simplex (HSV). BALB/c mice inoculated with HSV on the hind paw showed decrease innociceptive threshold, which appeared in the hind paw on the inoculatedside on day 6. Intraperitoneal adminstration of AR prevented decrease in nociceptive threshold dose-dependently in HSV-inoculated mice, which was firstly observed at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, and peaked at doses more than 1.5 mg/kg. This antinociceptive effect of AR was sustained for 240 min after administration. Intraperitoneal administration of AR scarcely affected the β-endorphin (BE) and noradrenalin contents in central nervous system in HSV-inoculated mice. However, AR could normalize dynorphin levels in spinalcords. These results strongly suggest that AR will be a good candidate for medication of neuropathic pain, including herpes-related pain. [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S232 (2005)]
