Background: Using a rat L5 spinal nerve transection model we previously showed that pentoxifylline prevents hyperalgesia through antiinflammation in the prefrontal brain. In this study, we examined efficacy when applied after injury.
Methods: We examined the effect of pentoxifylline on existing mechanical allodynia, observing glial activation and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the lumbar spinal cord, when given 7 days after L5 spinal nerve transection.
Results: There was no effect from pentoxifylline on existing hypersensitivity, glial activation, and cytokine expression when applied after L5 spinal nerve transection.
Conclusion: Pentoxifylline administered intraperitoneally on day 7 postsurgery failed to alleviate existing hypersensitivity, or reduce glial activation and cytokine expression.