URB937 Prevents the Development of Mechanical Allodynia in Male Rats with Trigeminal Neuralgia

The study investigates URB937, a FAAH inhibitor, on experimentally induced mechanical allodynia in an animal model of trigeminal neuralgia. Cannabinoids are proposed for alleviating neuropathic pain, but their use is limited by cannabimimetic side effects. The inhibition of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the degrading enzyme of the endocannabinoid anandamide, has received attention as an alternative to cannabinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain. URB937 treatment prevented the development of mechanical allodynia and IoN-CCI-induced changes in mRNA expression levels of CGRP and cytokines in the evaluated areas. When administered after allodynia development, URB937 prevented IoN-CCI-induced changes in CGRP and cytokine gene expression; this was not associated with a significant abrogation of the mechanical allodynia. The findings suggest that URB937 may counteract, but not reverse, the development of allodynia in trigeminal neuralgia. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

• 1
  URB937 treatment prevented the development of mechanical allodynia in rats subjected to chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (IoN-CCI).
• 2
  URB937 attenuated IoN-CCI-induced changes in mRNA expression levels of CGRP, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha in the medulla, cervical spinal cord, and trigeminal ganglion.
• 3
  When administered after allodynia development, URB937 prevented IoN-CCI-induced changes in CGRP and cytokine gene expression, but did not significantly reverse mechanical allodynia.