Are reduced number , G protein coupling , and antinociceptive efficacy of spinal mu-opioid receptors in diabetic rats reversed by nerve growth factor?
In diabetic neuropathy a loss in sensory neuron mu-opioid receptor number and coupling contributes to impaired spinal opioid antinociception that can be reversed by NGF. These findings support growing evidence of a distinct regulation of opioid responsiveness during various painful diseases and may give novel therapeutic incentives.
The intervention may work in a more homogeneous patient population, or one that is not sampled. The outcome measurement relies on a short, anonymous, telephone interview (to minimize burden and eliminate bias), but a longer, face-to-face interview may be more sensitive to differences. A 'checklist' tied directly to the outcome measures may show an effect.