Influence of intramuscular granisetron on experimentally induced muscle pain by acidic saline. (23rd March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Louca, S.; Ernberg, M.; Christidis, N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of oral rehabilitation. Volume 40:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 403
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2013-03-23
• Subjects: Dentistry -- Periodicals; Prosthodontics -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1111/joor.12046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-182X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="joor12046-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate whether intramuscular administration of the 5‐HT<sub>3</sub> receptor antagonist granisetron reduces experimental muscle pain induced by repeated intramuscular injections of acidic saline into the masseter muscles. Twenty‐eight healthy and pain‐free volunteers, fourteen women and fourteen men participated in this randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled study. After a screening examination and registration of the baseline pressure–pain threshold (PPT), the first simultaneous bilateral injections of 0·5 mL acidic saline (9 mg mL<sup>−1</sup>, pH 3·3) into the masseter muscles were performed. Two days later, PPT and pain (VAS) were re‐assessed. The masseter muscle was then pre‐treated with 0·5 mL granisetron (Kytril<sup>®</sup> 1 mg mL<sup>−1</sup> pH 5·3) on one side and control substance (isotonic saline, 9 mg mL<sup>−1</sup> pH 6) on the contralateral side. Two minutes thereafter a bilateral simultaneous injection of 0·5 mL acidic saline followed. The evoked pain intensity, pain duration, pain area and PPT were assessed. The volunteers returned 1 week later to re‐assess VAS and PPT. On the side pre‐treated with granisetron, the induced pain had significantly lower intensity and shorter duration (<italic>P</italic> < 0·05) compared with the side pre‐treated with control. A subgroup analysis showed that the effect of granisetron on pain duration was significant only in women (<italic>P</italic> < 0·001), while the effect on peak pain and pain area were significant in both sexes. The results showed no significant change in PPT. In conclusion, these results indicate that granisetron has a pain‐reducing effect on experimentally induced muscle pain by repeated acidic saline injection.</p> </abstract>