OP-1206, a prostaglandin E1 derivative, attenuates the thermal hyperesthesia induced by constriction injury to the sciatic nerve in the rat.

Nerve ischemia induces wallerian degeneration and peripheral neuropathy, the nerve constriction injury induces thermal hyperesthesia. Nerve ischemia is one possible mechanism in the development of thermal hyperesthesia in the nerve constriction injury model. Prostaglandin E1 increases tissue blood flow. In the present study, the authors examine the role of nerve ischemia in the maintenance of the thermal hyperesthesia induced by nerve constriction injury by orally administering OP-1206, a prostaglandin E1 derivative. A nerve constriction injury model was created by making four loose ligations around the rat sciatic nerve, which induces thermal hyperesthesia in the ligated paw in 2-5 days. OP-1206, was administered six times (Day 7, one time; Day 8, two times; Day 9, two times; Day 10, one time). A single administration of OP-1206 had no effect on the thermal hyperesthesia. Six hours after the sixth-administration of OP-1206, the level of the thermal hyperesthesia was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect lasted more than 1 day after the last drug administration. These data indicate that nerve ischemia plays an important role in maintaining the thermal hyperesthesia induced by nerve constriction injury in the rat.