Innovative Targeting Approach Offers Non-Addictive Pain Relief Post-Surgery

A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Alberta has unveiled a promising new method for managing post-surgical pain using non-addictive treatments. This innovative approach centers on inhibiting a specific protein within nerve cells, potentially transforming pain management strategies for intractable pain conditions. The research, published in the journal Anesthesiology, highlights how disrupting the activity of the endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductin 1 (ERO1), a protein involved in calcium signaling within neurons, can significantly reduce pain sensations.

In the study, scientists chemically inhibited ERO1 in mice, resulting in a marked decrease in pain-like behaviors. Notably, they also demonstrated this effect by targeting human sensory neurons in laboratory settings, suggesting the potential for human applications. Professor Bradley Kerr explained that inhibiting ERO1 diminishes calcium transfer to mitochondria, which is crucial in the process of pain amplification following tissue injury such as surgery.

The team utilized a drug called EN460, which interferes with the calcium supply to nerve cells, thereby reducing neuronal excitability and hyper-responsiveness that cause pain. The results showed rapid pain relief within an hour, comparable to opioids but without addiction risks. This approach directly targets the peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves transmitting pain signals—rather than the central nervous system, potentially offering a safer alternative for pain management.

The researchers emphasized that focusing on sensory neurons at the pain source could simplify treatment delivery and minimize side effects associated with systemic drugs. The multidisciplinary team, including graduate student Aislinn Maguire and cell biologist Thomas Simmen, collaborated across institutions to translate their findings from animal models to human cells. Moving forward, they plan to evaluate the treatment's efficacy in models of chronic pain, such as multiple sclerosis, aiming to develop safer pain medications that decrease reliance on opioids.

This research signifies an important step toward more effective and less harmful pain therapies, aligning with global efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and improve patient outcomes with innovative, targeted treatments.