LAUSR

Objective This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effects of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) on persistent inflammatory hypernociception induced by arthritis in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of rats. Material and methods Wistar rats were induced to persistent inflammatory hypernociception in the left TMJ. Then, animals were treated with intra‐TMJ injections of BoNT‐A, using doses of 3.5, 7 and 14 U/kg. Saline was used as control group. Behavioral tests were applied to evaluated the effect of BoNT‐A in the inflammatory hypernociception. After that, animals were euthanized and samples from peri‐articular tissues and trigeminal ganglia were obtained for further analyses. Results BoNT‐A reduced the persistent inflammatory hypernociception induced by arthritis in the TMJ of rats. BoNT‐A significantly reduced the peripheral release of the neurotransmitters Substance P and Calcitonin gene related peptide; and the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1&bgr;. Otherwise, BoNT‐A had no effect in the peripheral release of glutamate and the cytokine TNF‐&agr;. Conclusion These results demonstrate that intra‐articular injection of BoNT‐A reduces the albumin‐induced arthritis persistent hypernociception in TMJ of rats by peripheral inhibition of neuropeptides release. HighlightsBotulinum toxin type A acts reduced behavioral nociceptive response in rats responses in nociceptive animals.Botulinum toxin type A reduces Interleukin 1 beta increasing its antinociceptive effect.Hypernociception is reduced by Botulinum toxin type A injections due to the inhibition of neuropeptides.