The profile of dexamethasone combined with transcranial direct current stimulation in rats submitted to an arthritis model

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To pursue safer and more effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, the effect of dexamethasone treatment (DEX, 0.25mg/kg) combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the behavior and neurochemical parameters of arthritic rats was evaluated.

METHODS: Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control+DEX (CTRL+DEX), arthritis+DEX (RA+DEX), arthritis+DEX+sham-tDCS (RA+DEX+sham-tDCS) and arthritis+DEX+tDCS (RA+DEX+tDCS). The arthritic model (RA) was induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) paw administration. Paw edema and mechanical allodynia were assessed by plethysmometer and von Frey apparatus, respectively. Fourteen days after the CFA injection, rats received the treatment for eight days (DEX and/or tDCS). Behavioral parameters were measured with the Open-Field test. ELISA was used to evaluate hippocampal and spinal cord tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels, cerebral cortex and brainstem BDNF levels.

RESULTS: In pre-treatment measurements, arthritic rats presented an increase in joint swelling and mechanical allodynia when compared to the control group, confirming chronic pain establishment. A slight antinociceptive effect of dexamethasone combined with tDCS in the pain model was observed. The pain model significantly induced an increase in the grooming behavior and a reduction in the spinal cord and hippocampal TNF-α levels; these effects were reverted in the sham- and active-tDCS-treated rats. However, no effects of DEX or tDCS were observed in the BDNF levels in the cerebral cortex and brainstem.

CONCLUSION: Despite the small effect observed, tDCS treatment cannot be discarded as a non-pharmacological adjuvant technique for inflammatory chronic pain treatment.