The pro-resolving lipid mediator Maresin 1 ameliorates pain responses and neuroinflammation in the spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain: A study in male and female mice

PLOS ONE, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287392 · Published: June 22, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of Maresin 1 (MaR1), a specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM), to alleviate neuropathic pain (NP) and associated neuroinflammation in mice. SPMs are natural compounds that help resolve inflammation. The research involved administering MaR1 orally to male and female mice with spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP. The study examined the impact of MaR1 on pain responses, spinal microglial and astrocytic activation, and cytokine levels. The findings suggest that MaR1 treatment can reduce mechanical hypersensitivity, potentially ameliorate the affective component of pain in males, and decrease spinal neuroinflammation. This suggests MaR1 could be a promising therapeutic approach for NP.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

40 male and female C57BL/6J mice

Evidence Level

Level 2: Experimental study in mice

Key Findings

1
Oral MaR1 treatment reduced SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in both male and female mice on days 7 and 11 post-surgery.
2
MaR1 treatment appeared to ameliorate the affective component of pain in male mice on day 11, as measured by the place escape/avoidance paradigm (PEAP) test.
3
MaR1 treatment reduced ipsilateral spinal microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes, indicating an attenuation of neuroinflammation.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effects of oral MaR1 treatment on neuropathic pain (NP) and spinal neuroinflammation in mice with spared nerve injury (SNI). MaR1 reduced mechanical hypersensitivity, potentially improved the affective component of pain in males, and decreased spinal microglial and astrocytic activation. The findings suggest that oral MaR1 is a potential therapeutic approach for NP, with antinociceptive and anti-neuroinflammatory effects.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential for Neuropathic Pain

Oral MaR1 administration may offer a novel, non-opioid strategy for managing neuropathic pain by targeting neuroinflammation and pain hypersensitivity.

Sex-Specific Treatment Considerations

Further research is needed to understand the differential effects of MaR1 on the affective component of pain in males and females, which may inform sex-specific treatment strategies.

Translationally Relevant Administration Route

The use of voluntary oral intake of MaR1 enhances the translational potential of the findings, suggesting a feasible route for clinical application.

Study Limitations

1
The study focuses primarily on spinal neuroinflammation, and peripheral mechanisms of MaR1 action were not fully explored.
2
The affective component of pain could not be definitively assessed in female mice due to issues with the PEAP test validity in this group.
3
Cytokine levels were evaluated only at a single time point (day 12), limiting the understanding of the temporal dynamics of MaR1's anti-inflammatory effects.

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