Activated glial cells (microglia and astroglia) in the spinal cord play a major role in mediating
enhanced pain states by releasing proinflammatory cytokines and other substances thought
to facilitate pain transmission. In the present study, we report that intrathecal administration
of minocycline, a selective inhibitor of microglial cell activation, inhibits low threshold
mechanical allodynia, as measured by the von Frey test, in two models of pain facilitation. In
a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve inflammation (sciatic inflammatory …