PBMC were maintained in culture for 24 h in five different conditions:Phα1β (100 nM), ω-conotoxin MVIIA (100 nM), morphine (100 nM), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (1 μg/ml;

positive control) and PBS (negative control). Flow cytometryc analyses were performed as previously described (Torres et al., 2005) with the following modifications: PBMC (2 × 105) were cultured (as described above) in 200 μl of culture media in 96-well plates for 24 h. After that, cells were then stained with antibodies labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and phycoerytrin (PE) for 20 min (4 °C). Thereafter, PBMC were washed with 0.1% sodium azide in PBS, and fixed with 2% formaldehyde in PBS. The antibody used for extracellular staining was anti-CD14-FITC. After extracellular PR-171 mw staining, the cells were permeabilized with a solution of 0.5% saponin and stained for cytoplasmic selleck compound proteins during 30 min (room temperature) using PE anti-IL-1β, anti-IL-10 and anti-IL-6 antibodies. PBMC were washed with 0.5% saponin in PBS, and fixed with 2% formaldehyde in PBS. FITC and PE-labeled immunoglobulin isotype control

antibodies were included in all experiments. The stained cells were analyzed using a GUAVA EasyCyte plus (GE) and the CytoSoft 5.3 software. Leukocytes and monocytes were analyzed for their frequencies of surface markers and intracellular cytokines expression using the program GUAVA Express Pro (GE). Data of withdrawal response were presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) and were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test. HR and BP were expressed as means ± standard deviation (SD) and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Student–Newman–Keuls test. GNS data were presented

as median and 25–75 interquartile range and analyzed with Newman–Keuls multiple 17-DMAG (Alvespimycin) HCl comparison test. Horizontal and vertical activity data of rats were expressed as mean ± SEM and were analyzed using Newman–Keuls multiple comparison test. Cytokines levels were expressed as median and 25–75 interquartile range and were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison test. A value of P < 0.05 was assumed as statistically significant for all experiments. PBS was used as a control during the different treatments (toxins and morphine). The plantar incision produced a marked mechanical allodynia in the injured paw (Fig. 1; P < 0.05). Preemptive use of Phα1β (100 pmol/site) produced an antiallodynic effect from 2 to 6 h after the injection with a maximal effect of 60 ± 7% at 2 h ( Fig. 1a). An intrathecal administration of Phα1β (200 pmol/site) induced a long-lasting antinociception (24 h) and the maximal effect was 36 ± 5% at 3 h ( Fig. 1b).