Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of choline in a mouse model of postoperative pain

Systemic choline is a moderately effective analgesic via activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The antinocicepive effect may not be mediated by a reduction of TNF pathway cytokine release from macrophages. Although choline at millimolar concentrations clearly inhibits the release of TNF, this effect is not α7 subunit-dependent and occurs at concentrations likely higher than reached systemically in vivo.