Peripheral N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors contribute to mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of inflammatory temporomandibular joint pain

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether peripheral N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors are involved in inflammation-induced mechanical hypersensitivity of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. We developed a rat model of mechanical sensitivity to Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA; 2 μl containing 1 μg Mycobacterium tuberculosis )-induced inflammation of the TMJ and examined changes in sensitivity following injection of NMDA receptor antagonists ( dl -2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP5) or Ifenprodil) with CFA. CFA injected into the TMJ resulted in an increase in mechanical sensitivity relative to pre-injection that peaked at day 1 and lasted for up to 3 days ( n = 8, P < 0.05). There was no change in mechanical sensitivity in vehicle-injected rats at any time-point ( n = 9). At day 1, there was a significant increase in mechanical sensitivity in animals injected with CFA + vehicle ( n = 7) relative to those injected with vehicle alone ( n = 7, P < 0.05), and co-injection of AP5 ( n = 6) or Ifenprodil ( n = 7) with CFA blocked this hypersensitivity. Subcutaneous injection of AP5 ( n = 7) and Ifenprodil ( n = 5) instead of into the TMJ had no significant effect on CFA-induced hypersensitivity of the TMJ region. Western blot analysis revealed constitutive expression of the NR1 and NR2B subunits in trigeminal ganglion lysates. Immunohistochemical studies showed that 99% and 28% of trigeminal ganglion neurons that innervated the TMJ contained the NR1 and NR2B subunits respectively. Our findings suggest a role for peripheral NMDA receptors in inflammation-induced pain of the TMJ region. Targeting peripheral NMDA receptors with peripheral application of NMDA receptor antagonists could provide therapeutic benefit and avoid side effects associated with blockade of NMDA receptors in the central nervous system.