Dexamethasone alone versus dexamethasone plus complex B vitamins in the therapy of low back pain
Medina Santillán, R.; Reyes García, G.; Sánchez Mejía, J.L.; Mateos García, E.
Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society 43: 69-70
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0083-8969 PMID: 11056960 Document Number: 6544
Efficacy of combinations of antiinflammatory and analgesic agents with complex B vitamins has been evaluated in several preclinical studies. This report showed synergy in the analgesic activity of both. Other data describe the interaction of pyridoxine (B6 vitamin) with steroid receptor complexes. In vitro, pyridoxal phosphate has been found in hormone-receptor complexes and in steroid complexes with nucleoproteins and DNA. These data suggest that pyridoxal phosphate (active form of pyridoxine) participates in the final process of steroid action. In animals, pyridoxine deficiency has been associated with increase of levels of steroid hormones but the basis for this biological response is unknown. Dexamethasone per se shows usefulness in the management of clinical abnormalities of the muscle-skeletal system, such as the management of post-surgical pain after lumbar discectomy, which reduces duration and severity of pain. This efficacy has been attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of dexamethasone, and a probable reduction of the nociceptive threshold. On the other hand, B complex vitamins are useful in the treatment of pain that accompany several illnesses. For example, in the therapy of carpal tunnel syndrome B vitamins improve painful symptoms. In our study, we corroborate the initial hypothesis, proposing the superior efficacy of dexamethasone plus complex B vitamins combination over dexamethasone alone in the treatment of uncomplicated acute low back pain. This combination possesses anti-inflammatory and antineuritic actions that produces improvement in the functional disability as indicated by the modification of finger-floor distance and Schober's test.
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