Hyperalgesia and Neuropathic Pain Mechanism in Rodent Models of Cigarette Smoking- and Nicotine-Induced Precipitated Withdrawal Study

Tobacco use is almost double in chronic pain patients, where opioid-based drugs cause more addiction burden. The study provides an insight into potential non-opioid therapeutic strategies targeting the BDNF-Trk-β/IL-6 cascade in the cerebral cortex, the higher center of behavioral activities, using adult rodent models where nicotine doses closely mimic the human smoking situation, including passive cigarette smoking and oral nicotine use. The data of the study may be useful for neuropathic pain management during nicotine withdrawal/smoking cessation and quitting efforts.