The Effects of Glyceryl Trinitrat in Different Experimental Models of Pain

DOI: 10.5176/2345-783X_PHARMA14.28

Authors: Bohotin Catalina Roxana, Dondas Andrei, Alexa Teodora, Luca Andrei, and Mungiu Ostin Costel

Abstract:

Evidence has accumulated indicating that nitric oxide has a dual effect on pain. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), a largely used exogenous NO donor, is a drug whose metabolism depends on the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2. We focused on exploring if GTN has different effects on pain when administered via intrathecal (i.t.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. The effects of GTN were studied in mice, on three models of pain (oro-facial formalin induced pain, paw formalin induced pain and visceral pain); results were compared with control group (saline). Two hours after administration both intrathecal and intraperitoneal routes tended to decrease the pain behaviour in mice. The i.p administration induced a more pronounced analgesic effect in the first phase of both formalin tests while the i.t. administration was more efficient on the visceral model and in the second phase of the formalin test. The analgesic effect was more important on visceral pain, followed by paw formalin induced pain; oro-facial formalin pain was least influenced by GTN administration. Our data demonstrate that pretreatment with GTN has an analgesic effect in mice and this effect varies with the routes of administration and pain models.

Keywords: Glyceryl trinitrate; nitric oxide; analgesia; mice