Gabapentin prevents hyperalgesia during the formalin test in diabetic rats

The anticonvulsant agent gabapentin exhibits antihyperalgesic properties in animal models of neuropathic pain. Diabetic rats display increased nocifensive behavior during the formalin test of persistent chemical irritation to the paw, suggesting the presence of abnormal pain processing mechanisms. We therefore, investigated the efficacy of gabapentin on formalin-evoked behavior in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed increased (P < 0.05) flinching during the normally quiescent phase of the 5.0% formalin test. Gabapentin (50 mg/kg i.p. 30 min pre-test) suppressed flinching during phases 1 and 2 of the formalin test in both control and diabetic rats but not the increased flinching of diabetic rats during the quiescent phase. When 0.5% formalin was used, diabetic rats exhibited increased flinching during both the quiescent phase and phase 2. Gabapentin was without effect in controls but suppressed (P < 0.01) the increased flinching in diabetic rats. Gabapentin displays efficacy against abnormal sensory processing in diabetic rats and may be of benefit for treating painful diabetic neuropathy.