Skin Rashes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Rashes, including details on dermatitis, itches, creams, medication, treatment.

Characterisation of ultraviolet-B-induced inflammation as a model of hyperalgesia in the rat.

Bishop T, Hewson DW, Yip PK, Fahey MS, Dawbarn D, Young AR, McMahon SB

Neurorestoration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, King's College London, The Wolfson Wing, Hodgkin Building, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom.

In humans, the acute inflammatory reaction caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is well studied and the sensory changes that are found have been used as a model of cutaneous hyperalgesia. Similar paradigms are now emerging as rodent models of inflammatory pain. Using a narrowband UVB source, we irradiated the plantar surface of rat hind paws. This produced the classical feature of inflammation, erythema, and a significant dose-dependent reduction in both thermal and mechanical paw withdrawal thresholds. These sensory changes peaked 48h after irradiation. At this time there is a graded facilitation of noxious heat evoked (but not basal) c-fos-like immunoreactivity in the L4/5 segments of the spinal cord. We also studied the effects of established analgesic compounds on the UVB-induced hyperalgesia. Systemic as well as topical application of ibuprofen significantly reduced both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. Systemic morphine produced a dose-dependent and naloxone sensitive reversal of sensory changes. Similarly, the peripherally restricted opioid loperamide also had a dose-dependent anti-hyperalgesic effect, again reversed by naloxone methiodide. Sequestration of NGF, starting at the time of UVB irradiation, significantly reduced sensory changes. We conclude that UVB inflammation produces a dose-dependent hyperalgesic state sensitive to established analgesics. This suggests that UVB inflammation in the rat may represent a useful translational tool in the study of pain and the testing of analgesic agents.

Published 8 August 2007 in Pain, 131(1): 70-82.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Skin Rashes Research Today. All Rights Reserved.