Papers of the Week

Oxidative stress is an important driver of neuropathic painDimethyl fumarate activates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, increasing the expression of multiple antioxidant genes WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: Using a rat model of nerve injury, both male and female animals displayed reduced mechanical and nociceptive sensitization when given dimethyl fumarateDimethyl fumarate administration increased superoxide dismutase activity while decreasing cytokine expression and improving mitochondrial bioenergetics BACKGROUND:: Available treatments for neuropathic pain have modest efficacy and significant adverse effects, including abuse potential. Because oxidative stress is a key mechanistic node for neuropathic pain, the authors focused on the master regulator of the antioxidant response-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2; Nrf2)-as an alternative target for neuropathic pain. The authors tested whether dimethyl fumarate (U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for multiple sclerosis) would activate NFE2L2 and promote antioxidant activity to reverse neuropathic pain behaviors and oxidative stress-dependent mechanisms.