PhD Scientific Days 2021

PH_I_P: Pharmaceutical Sciences I. Posters

Tramadol Shows Beneficial Quantitative EEG Effects During Non-REM Sleep Compared to Pregabalin and Tolperisone

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Tramadol (TRA) is a widely prescribed centrally acting opioid analgesic used for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Its potential use in additional indication, such as fibromyalgia and major depression has been suggested. Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic and diffuse musculoskeletal pain, and similarly to major depression is often co-occurs with mood changes and sleep disturbances. Moreover, characteristic electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities have been shown in patients with fibromyalgia and in patients with major depression, such as increased alpha activity and reduced delta EEG power during non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep.
Aims: Our aim was to investigate the acute effects of tramadol on the alpha (10 13 Hz) and delta (1 4 Hz) EEG band during non-REM sleep and to compare these effects to other agents used in fibromyalgia, such as pregabalin (PRE) and tolperisone (TOL).
Methods: EEG-equipped Wistar rats were treated with TRA (5 and 15 mg/kg) or vehicle (VEH), PRE (5 and 15 mg/kg) or VEH and TOL (5 and 15 mg/kg) or VEH at the beginning of the passive phase, and EEG, electromyogram and motor activity were recorded for 11 hours.
Results: Quantitative EEG (qEEG) analysis revealed that the acutely administered tramadol (5 and 15 mg/kg) decreased alpha power (treatment: F(2, 14) = 3.879, p<0.05, treatment × time interaction: F(20, 136) = 5.403, p<0.0001) and increased delta power (treatment: F(2, 14) = 3.814, p<0.05, treatment × time interaction: F(20, 136) = 5.168, p<0.000 1) during non-REM sleep, however the 15 mg/kg of tramadol first decreased delta power transiently. Pregabalin and tolperisone had no effect in any of the applied doses on the alpha and delta power during non-REM sleep.
Conclusion: The alpha EEG power reducing effects of acute tramadol during non-REM sleep might suggest a possible therapeutic value in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Funding: This study was supported by the Development of Scientific Workshops of Medical, Health Sciences and Pharmaceutical Educations (EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00009), by the grant 2018-1.3.1-VKE-2018-00030, and by the ÚNKP-20-4-I-SE-6 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

University and Doctoral School

Semmelweis University, Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences