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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Partial Sciatic Nerve Ligation: A Mouse Model of Chronic Neuropathic Pain to Study the Antinociceptive Effect of Novel Therapies
Published on: October 6, 2022
Autotomy prevention by amitriptyline after peripheral nerve section in different strains of mice
1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
Abstract:
This study evaluates the degree of autotomy induced by anesthesia dolorosa after transection of the sciatic and saphenous nerves in four different strains of mice, and the effectiveness of amitriptyline administration in two of them. The self-mutilating lesions were assessed by means of an autotomy score for one month after denervation. The onset of lesions generally occurred during the first week, starting in the nails and progressing proximally. Autotomy behavior developed differently in the mouse strains studied, involving 88% of the paw areas in OF1 mice, 61% in Balb-C, 35% in NMRI, and 15% in B6CBAF1. Two selected strains, OF1 and NMRI, were treated with amitriptyline (8 mg/kg/day, p.o.) from different intervals pre-operation. Administration starting 14 days before nerve lesion was the most effective treatment schedule for reducing autotomy in both strains.
Insights
This study investigated autotomy behavior in mice after nerve injury. Amitriptyline treatment initiated 14 days pre-operation significantly reduced self-mutilation in OF1 and NMRI mouse strains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anesthesia dolorosa, a neuropathic pain condition, can lead to self-mutilating behaviors.
- Autotomy, or self-mutilation, is a common consequence of peripheral nerve injury in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the degree of autotomy induced by sciatic and saphenous nerve transection in four mouse strains.
- To assess the efficacy of amitriptyline in mitigating autotomy in selected mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Sciatic and saphenous nerves were transected in OF1, Balb-C, NMRI, and B6CBAF1 mice.
- Autotomy was scored for one month post-denervation.
- Amitriptyline (8 mg/kg/day) was administered to OF1 and NMRI mice at varying pre-operative intervals.
Main Results:
- Autotomy onset typically occurred within the first week, progressing from nails proximally.
- Significant strain-dependent differences in autotomy were observed: OF1 (88%), Balb-C (61%), NMRI (35%), and B6CBAF1 (15%).
- Pre-operative amitriptyline administration, particularly starting 14 days before nerve injury, effectively reduced autotomy in OF1 and NMRI mice.
Conclusions:
- Mouse strain significantly influences the development of autotomy following nerve injury.
- Early pre-operative administration of amitriptyline is a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing neuropathic pain-induced autotomy.
