NeuroHeal Treatment Alleviates Neuropathic Pain and Enhances Sensory Axon Regeneration

Cells, 2020 · DOI: 10.3390/cells9040808 · Published: March 27, 2020

Pharmacology Pain Management Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Peripheral nerve injury often leads to neuropathic pain. This study explores a treatment called NeuroHeal, a combination of two drugs, to alleviate pain and enhance nerve regeneration. The study used rat models of nerve injury to test NeuroHeal's effect on sensory fiber regeneration and pain. Results showed that NeuroHeal reduced signs of neuropathic pain and favored sensory axon regeneration. The researchers found that NeuroHeal may improve cell-protective autophagy and modulate the P2X4-BDNF-KCC2 axis, which are important in neuropathic pain. This suggests a new approach to treat nerve injuries.

Study Duration

35 days

Participants

Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
NeuroHeal treatment reduced signs of neuropathic pain in rat models of spare nerve injury and nerve crush.
2
NeuroHeal favored sensory axon regeneration, as observed in dorsal root ganglion explants.
3
NeuroHeal treatment modulated the P2X4-BDNF-KCC2 axis, which is an essential driver of neuropathic pain.

Research Summary

The study investigates the effect of NeuroHeal, a combination of Acamprosate and Ribavirin, on sensory fiber regeneration and neuropathic pain in rat models of peripheral nerve injury. The treatment aims to increase axonal regeneration or to alleviate painful conditions. The results show that NeuroHeal treatment reduces the signs of neuropathic pain and favors sensory axon regeneration. NeuroHeal exerts a long-lasting anti-microgliosis effect. The study suggests that NeuroHeal's mechanism of action may involve the resolution of autophagy within dorsal horn neurons and the modulation of the P2X4-BDNF-KCC2 axis. These data open a new therapeutic avenue based on autophagic modulation.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Avenue

Autophagic modulation to foster endogenous regenerative mechanisms and reduce the appearance of neuropathic pain in PNI.

Drug-based Therapy

NeuroHeal is characterized as the first drug-based therapy that enhances axon regeneration and attenuates the apparition of mechanical allodynia.

Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injury

NeuroHeal could be an effective therapy after peripheral nerve injury, enhancing regeneration while attenuating the apparition of neuropathic pain.

Study Limitations

1
The two molecular pathways involved, KCC2-P2X4-BDNF and the autophagic flux, were assessed in a time-window.
2
The analysis of their evolution during diﬀerent times after PNI is important.
3
It would be interesting to analyze the eﬀects of NeuroHeal after the pharmacological or genetic modulation of the molecules and processes involved.

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