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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Johnny RoughanORCiD, Henri Bertrand
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2016.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Background: Inflammation is thought to be a major contributor to post-surgical pain, so non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used analgesics. However, compared to rats, considerably less is known as to how successfully these prevent pain in mice. Methods: A fluorescent COX-2 selective probe was used for the first time to evaluate the post-surgical anti-inflammatory effects of meloxicam, and automated behaviour analyses (HomeCageScan; HCS), the Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS) and body weight changes to assess its pain-preventative properties. Groups of 8-9 BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with saline (0.3mL) or meloxicam at (1, 5 or 20mg/kg) 1h before a 1.5-cm midline laparotomy. The probe or a control dye (2mg/kg) was injected intravenously 3h later. Imaging was used to quantify inflammation at 7, 24 and 48h following surgery. HCS data and MGS scores were respectively obtained from video recordings and photographs before surgery and 24h later. Results: Post-surgical inflammation was dose dependently reduced by meloxicam; with 5 or 20mg/kg being most effective compared to saline. However, all mice lost weight, MGS scores increased and behavioural activity was reduced by surgery for at least 24h with no perceivable beneficial effect of meloxicam on any of these potentially pain-associated changes. Conclusions: Although meloxicam prevented inflammation, even large doses did not prevent post-laparotomy pain possibly arising due to a range of factors, including, but not limited to inflammation. MGS scoring can be applied by very naive assessors and so should be effective for cage-side use.
Author(s): Roughan JV, Bertrand HGMJ, Isles HM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Journal of Pain
Year: 2016
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Pages: 231-240
Print publication date: 01/02/2016
Online publication date: 23/04/2015
Acceptance date: 13/03/2015
Date deposited: 06/01/2022
ISSN (print): 1090-3801
ISSN (electronic): 1532-2149
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.712
DOI: 10.1002/ejp.712
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