Sex Differences in Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist Mediated Attenuation of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice.
Frontiers in pharmacology January 1, 2022 Kelly F Paton, Dan Luo, Anne C La Flamme et al.
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists, including analogues of Salvinorin A, reduced pain in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. 16-Ethynyl SalA was more potent than morphine at reducing mechanical allodynia, and SalA, 16-Ethynyl SalA, and EOM SalB were more potent at reducing cold allodynia. Sex differences appeared in mechanical allodynia testing: U50,488 was more potent in males, SalA more potent in females, but no sex differences occurred in cold allodynia. Chronic U50,488 (10 mg/kg) restored mechanical and cold pain responses to healthy levels over 23 days. KOR agonists may be developed to treat this condition.