Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on hypersensitivity in acute recurrent caerulein-induced pancreatitis and microglial activation along the brain’s pain circuitry

Figure 1 Caerulein-induced pancreatitis produced secondary hypersensitivity of the hindpaws that was attenuated by treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine. A: Mechanical withdrawal thresholds were significantly reduced after 3 wk of caerulein (CAE) injections indicating hypersensitivity and remained reduced after 6 wk of CAE injections; B: Response latencies to heat stimulation in the hotplate test were significantly reduced after 3 and 6 wk of CAE injections. Concurrent treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) during the last 3 wk attenuated mechanical and heat hypersensitivity. n = 6/group; ^aP < 0.05 compared to naïve control; ^bP < 0.05 compared to VEH + ALC; ^cP < 0.05 compared to CAE + ALC; two-way ANOVA with Newman-Keuls post hoc test. ALC: Acetyl-L-carnitine; CAE: Caerulein; VEH: Vehicle.