Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonism prevents the antiallodynic effects of R-isovaline

We previously showed that isovaline is a peripheral analgesic which acts in vivo and in brain slices as an atypical metabotropic GABA(B) agonist. Peripheral inhibitory group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) belong to the same family C as GABA(B) receptors; therefore, we hypothesized that isovaline's analgesic effects could include their activation. We examined the effects of R-isovaline on mechanical allodynia produced by prostaglandin E2 in the mouse paw. Subcutaneous R-isovaline produced dose-dependent antiallodynia restricted to the injected hindlimb. This antiallodynia was blocked by co-injection with a selective group II mGluR antagonist, LY341495, but not a group III mGluR antagonist (MAP-4). The antiallodynic effect of R-isovaline was potentiated by co-administration of a group II mGluR-positive allosteric modulator, LY487379. Injection of a group II mGluR agonist (LY354740) produced an antiallodynic effect which was completely reversed by group II antagonism, but was not affected by group III or GABA(B) (CGP35348) antagonism. Similarly, group II mGluR antagonism did not alter the antiallodynia produced by the prototypical GABA(B) agonist, baclofen. Hence, there was no apparent crosstalk between group II mGluRs and GABA(B) receptors. Previous studies have demonstrated that peripheral GABA(B) receptor activation by isovaline produces antiallodynia. In addition, the present results indicate that activation of peripheral group II mGluRs by R-isovaline produces antiallodynia.