Chronic Constriction Injury

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Peripheral nerve injury, due to trauma, disease or various sources of toxicity is a cause of chronic pain. This pathology can be readily modeled in rodents with a number of neuropathic pain models that Melior has developed.

The chronic constriction injury (CCI) model is induced by ligation to the sciatic nerve. Melior has experience in developing several versions, including partial and complete sciatic nerve ligation models in rats. Signs of neuropathy typically become apparent within a week after surgery.

The CCI model induces a neuropathic pain response that can be detected by von Frey mechanical thresholds and Hargreaves thermal sensitivity and can be attenuated by administering drugs such as gabapentin, a first-line analgesic for neuropathic pain.

Von Frey mechanical thresholds of mice treated with gabapentin or vehicle during the CCI model.

Two weeks after CCI surgery in rats, von Frey mechanical thresholds were significantly reduced in vehicle-treated ipsilateral region of the hind paw compared to contralateral thresholds (Control). After treatment with Gabapentin, ipsilateral hind paw thresholds return to baseline and are significantly increased compared to vehicle-treated ipsilateral thresholds.

In a Hargreaves study of thermal sensitivity, ipsilateral latencies were significantly reduced compared to contralateral latencies in response to heat. Data are mean ± SEM; ***p<0.001 compared to baseline, +++p<0.001 compared to vehicle. (n=6-10).

Ideal group sizes are>10 animals.