Analgesic effects of the somatostatin sst4 receptor selective agonist J-2156 in acute and chronic pain models

Somatostatin released from capsaicin-sensitive afferents exerts systemic anti-nociceptive actions, presumably via somatostatin receptor subtype 4 (sst4). In the present study, the antinociceptive effects of a novel somatostatin sst4 receptor selective peptidomimetic compound, J-2156 (1–100 μg/kg i.p.), were examined. J-2156 inhibited nocifensive behaviour of mice in the second phase of the formalin test. Adjuvant-evoked chronic inflammatory mechanical allodynia was decreased in rats treated with J-2156 for 21 days. Sciatic nerve ligation-induced neuropathic mechanical hyperalgesia was inhibited by J-2156 on the seventh postoperative day. Results obtained using this highly selective agonist suggest that somatostatin sst4 receptors represent a promising target for new perspectives in analgesic therapy.