Mechanism of prophylactic effect of valproate for postoperative pain

Research Project

Project/Area Number	24791626
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Anesthesiology/Resuscitation studies
Research Institution	Jikei University School of Medicine
Principal Investigator	HOBO Shotaro 東京慈恵会医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (60385359)
Project Period (FY)	2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2013)
Budget Amount *help	¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000) Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000) Fiscal Year 2012: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000)
Keywords	疼痛管理学 / 国際情報交換
Research Abstract	Repeated oral administration of valproate prevented the development of hypersensitivity in rats after peripheral nerve injury. Intrathecal injection of the selective GLT-1 blocker dihydrokainic acid DHK blocked the effect. This result suggests that valproate prevents the development of chronic pain after peripheral nerve injury in spinal cord in part by preventing downregulation of glutamate transporters. In clinic, we experienced two cases of successful combination therapy by valproate and pregabalin in chronic pain patients. No significant adverse effects are confirmed in the combination therapy. In future, we proceed to the further research to test whether perioperative use of the combination prevents chronic pain after surgery.