Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 in spinal cord inhibits pain and hyperalgesia in a novel formalin model in sheep

This study set out to characterize the contribution of group III metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 activation to nociceptive behaviour and mechanical hypersensitivity in a novel formalin test in sheep. The mGlu receptor 7 allosteric agonist, N,N'-dibenzhydrylethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082; 2-20 mM), the nonselective group III mGlu receptor agonist L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (0.2-20 mM) and drug vehicle were injected intrathecally into naive subjects (n=7 per group), or 5 min preformalin (3%; 0.2 ml)/saline injection (intradermal), into the lower forelimb of adult female sheep (n=5-7 per group). Forelimb withdrawal thresholds to noxious mechanical stimulation and pain behaviours (time spent nonweight bearing or flinching) were assessed for up to 180 min. Formalin induced a characteristic biphasic pain-behaviour response and mechanical hyperalgesia between 1-5 and 30-120 min postinjection. Treatment with AMN082, but not L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid significantly inhibited both early and late phase formalin-induced hyperalgesia and pain behaviours. AMN082 also induced a rapid but short lasting analgesia in naive subjects. These data suggest that enhancing endogenous metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 activity in spinal cord, using the novel allosteric modulator, AMN082, blocks pain and hyperalgesia, and may be of therapeutic benefit for the treatment of inflammatory pain.