J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Jun;47(6):420-423.

Involvement of Selective Alpha-2 Adrenoreceptor in Sympathetically Maintained Pain

• Park CH
• Yong A
• Lee SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Peripheral nerve injury often leads to neuropathic pain, which is characterized by burning pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. The role of the sympathetic nervous system in neuropathic pain is a complex and controversial issue. It is generally accepted that the alpha adrenoreceptor (AR) in sympathetic nerve system plays a significant role in the maintenance of pain. Among alpha adrenoreceptor, alpha-1 receptors play a major role in the sympathetic mediated pain. The primary goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that sympathetically maintained pain involves peripheral alpha-2 receptors in human.
METHODS
The study was a randomized, prospective, double-blinded, crossover study involving twenty patients. The treatments were : Yohimbine (30 mg mixed in 500 mL normal saline), and Phentolamine (1 mg/kg in 500 mL normal saline) in 500 mL normal saline at 70 mL/hr initially then titrated. The patients underwent infusions on three different appointments, at least one month apart. Thus, all patients received all 2 treatments. Pain measurement was by visual analogue scale, neuropathic pain questionnaire, and McGill pain questionnaire.
RESULTS
There were significant decreases in the visual analogue scale, neuropathic score, McGill pain score of yohimnine, and phentolamine.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that alpha-2 adrenoreceptor, along with alpha-2 adrenoreceptor, may be play role in sympathetically maintained pain in human.

Keyword

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy; Yohimbine; Alpha-2 antagonist

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Burns
Cross-Over Studies
Humans
Hyperalgesia
Neuralgia
Pain Measurement
Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Phentolamine
Prospective Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Sympathetic Nervous System
Yohimbine
Phentolamine
Yohimbine