MD Biosciences offers a comprehensive range of rodent and pig models for exploring neuropathic pain, which results from damage to neurons in both peripheral and central nervous systems. Our diverse offerings include chemotherapy-induced pain (CIPN), diabetic neuropathy, various nerve injury models, and chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP). While rodent models provide tremendous value, our advanced pig models can offer a higher degree of clinical relevance, enhancing the translation of research into real-world applications. Additional readouts, such as behavior, electrophysiology biomarker analysis, and histology, are available and integrated into our studies.
Neuropathic Pain Models:
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Peripheral Nerve Injury
Peripheral nerve injury models are essential for advancing our understanding of neuropathic pain mechanisms and for the development of effective therapeutics. Our comprehensive selection includes models such as Spinal Nerve Ligation (SNL), Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI), Nerve Crush, Nerve Cuff, Nerve Stretch, and Spared Nerve Injury (SNI). Each model mimics different types of injuries, offering varied outcomes that are crucial for targeted research.
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Spinal Cord Injury
We offer a range of in vitro and in vivo models for evaluating spinal cord injury. Our in vivo models include spinal cord injury in rats induced by contusion, cutting, or extraction. Spinal cord injuries frequently result in sensory impairments, severe motor dysfunction (including paralysis), and chronic pain, making these models crucial for addressing complex research challenges.
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Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathic Pain
The chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) model is used to study neurotoxicity and neuropathic pain, both of which are common side effects of chemotherapy agents. We conduct CIPN studies using common chemotherapy agents.
Learn more about our models of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.
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Diabetes-induced Neuropathic Pain
We offer two distinct models for studying diabetic neuropathic pain. The STZ-induced model mimics type 1 diabetes through insulin deficiency, and the high-fat diet model, simulates type 2 diabetes by inducing obesity and insulin resistance. Each model provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy, supporting the development of targeted therapies.
Learn more about our models for diabetes-induced neuropathic pain.
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Pig PNT Neuropathic Pain
To address the limitations of rodent models in chronic neuropathic pain research, MD Biosciences developed a pig model for chronic pain induced by peripheral neuritis (PNT). This model leverages the neurological and anatomical similarities between pigs and humans, with 75% of the animals exhibiting mechanical and tactile allodynia by day 28 post-surgery. Additionally, positive controls effectively reversed pain-related behaviors, demonstrating the model's utility in studying and developing treatments for chronic neuropathy.
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Chronic Post-Ischemia Pain (CPIP) for Complex Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition often involving hyperalgesia and allodynia of the extremities. CRPS is divided into CRPS-I and CRPS-II. Type I occurs when there is no confirmed nerve injury. Type II is when there is known associated nerve injury. Neuropathic inflammation, specifically activation of peripheral nociceptors of C-fibers, has been shown to play a critical role in developing CRPS. One of the models for CRPS is Chronic Post- Ischemia Pain Model (CPIP).
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Neuroma
Neuroma models replicate the non-neoplastic growth of cells that occurs when a nerve is damaged, leading to mass formation at the injury site. This can result in persistent pain, tingling, or burning sensations along the nerve's pathway. Our stretch-induced and spared nerve injury (SNI) models mimic these conditions, providing insights into allodynia and increased pain sensitization. Additionally, we have developed a pig model specifically designed for symptomatic neuroma, enabling a more translational study of pain.
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Peripheral Nerve Repair
Models of nerve repair are used to study nerve repair mechanisms and test technologies such as wraps, conduits, and fillers. Pigs present a promising solution for peripheral nerve injury models due to their ability to simulate critical gaps and facilitate various functional assays such as computerized gait analysis, cMAP and DSNAP tests.
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