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Interleukin-6 induces spatially dependent whole-body hypersensitivity in rats: implications for extracephalic hypersensitivity in migraine

Avona A, Price TJ, Dussor G

The journal of headache and pain, 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that is characterized by throbbing head pain, increased sensitivity to light, sound, and touch, as well as nausea and fatigue. It is one of the most common and most disabling disorders globally but mechanisms causing migraine are poorly understood. While head pain is a typical feature of attacks, they also often present with cutaneous hypersensitivity in the rest of the body. In contrast, primary pain conditions in the lower parts of the body are less commonly associated with cephalic hypersensitivity. Previous studies indicate that application of stimuli to the meninges of rodents causes cutaneous facial as well as hindpaw hypersensitivity. In the present study, we asked whether widespread hypersensitivity is a unique feature of dural stimulation or whether body-wide responses occur similarly when the same stimulus is given in other locations.

METHODS: Rats were given the same dose of IL-6 either via dural, intraplantar, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracisternal, or intrathecal injection. Cutaneous facial and hindpaw allodynia was assessed using Von Frey following injection into each location.

RESULTS: Hindpaw allodynia was observed following dural and intraplantar injection of IL-6 in both males and females. Hindpaw allodynia was only observed in females following intracisternal and intrathecal IL-6 injections. In contrast, facial allodynia was only observed in either sex following dural and intracisternal…

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