针刺对鼠部分背根切断模型的背根神经节和脊髓背角内生长相关蛋白GAP43表达的影响

制备大鼠备用根模型 （切断单侧腰骶背根Ｌ２, ３, ４, ６, 及Ｓ１, ２, 保留Ｌ５ 背根）, 用免疫组织化学和原位杂交方法研究生长相关蛋白ＧＡＰ４３ 在相应节段背根神经节和脊髓背角表达的变化及针刺对其表达的影响。结果发现, 切断一侧Ｌ２, ３, ４, ６, 及Ｓ１, ２ 背根后, 它们对应的背根神经节内ＧＡＰ４３ 表达与正常对照组和假手术组相比无显著性差别, 而备用根神经节Ｌ５ 的ＧＡＰ４３ 表达较正常对照组和假手术组明显增强; 手术侧Ｌ５ 水平脊髓背角与正常对照组相比ＧＡＰ４３ 阳性信号加强。针刺后可促进手术侧Ｌ５ 神经节内ＧＡＰ４３ 表达增加; Ｌ５ 水平脊髓背角ＧＡＰ４３ 阳性信号也进一步加强这表明在一定条件下, 神经系统损伤可诱发中枢神经系统ＧＡＰ４３ 介导的可塑性变化, 针刺可通过ＧＡＰ４３ 对神经的可塑性起调节作用。     

Direct evidence for spinal cord microglia in the development of a neuropathic pain-like state in mice

The present study was undertaken to further investigate the role of glial cells in the development of the neuropathic pain-like state induced by sciatic nerve ligation in mice. At 7 days after sciatic nerve ligation, the immunoreactivities (IRs) of the specific astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the specific microglial marker OX-42, but not the specific oligodendrocyte marker O4, were increased on the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord dorsal horn in nerve-ligated mice compared with that on the contralateral side. Furthermore, a single intrathecal injection of activated spinal cord microglia, but not astrocytes, caused thermal hyperalgesia in naive mice. Furthermore, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells on the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the spinal cord were significantly increased at 7 days after nerve ligation and were highly co-localized with another microglia marker, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), but neither with GFAP nor a specific neural nuclei marker, NeuN, in the spinal dorsal horn of nerve-ligated mice. The present data strongly support the idea that spinal cord astrocytes and microglia are activated under the neuropathic pain-like state, and that the proliferated and activated microglia directly contribute to the development of a neuropathic pain-like state in mice.     

QUANTITATIVE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF γ-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID IN CAT SPINAL CORD WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PRESYNAPTIC INHIBITION

Abstract— A method is described for quantifying the GABA distribution in cat spinal cord at 200–500 μn resolution. Isolated spinal cord (L5–S1) was frozen and sectioned at about 150 μm thickness. The frozen tissue section was cut into 200 or 500 μm square blocks. The GABA content of each square tissue block was determined by enzymic micromethods and GABA distribution was mapped quantitatively. Average GABA concentrations were: 0·4 mmol/l. in white matter, 1·2 mmol/l. in ventral horn and 1·7 mmol/l. in dorsal horn. The highest concentrations of GABA (2–3 mmol/l.) were found in the dorsolateral part of dorsal horn. In order to destroy the interneurons of dorsal horn, the blood vessels supplying the dorsal horn of the lumbar enlargement were unilaterally cauterized. Seven to 30 days after operation, both the size of dorsal root potential and the GABA level in the dorsal horn were markedly reduced on the cauterized side. These results suggest that GABA is highly concentrated in the interneurons of dorsal horn and functions as a transmitter of presynaptic inhibition.     

miR-9 Mediates CALHM1-Activated ATP-P2X7R Signal in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Rats

In this study, we planned to illuminate the mechanisms of the expression and function of CALHM1 in painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). PDN rat model was constructed. The expression of CALHM1 and miR-9 in rat spinal dorsal horn neurons was detected. The correlation between the level of CALHM1 mRNA and 50 % PWT and the relationship between the expression of CALHM1 and miR-9 in rat spinal dorsal horn neurons were statistically analyzed. The effect of miR-9 and CALHM1 on each other’s expression in PDN rat spinal dorsal horn neurons were tested by qRT-PCR or Western blot. The co-culture system of neurons and glias from PDN rat spinal dorsal horn was constructed. The concentration of calcium and ATP as well as the expression of P2X7 receptor regulated by CALHM1 and miR-9 in PDN rat spinal dorsal horn neurons was measured. The results showed that the expression of CALHM1 was increased in PDN rat compared with controls, while its mRNA level was negatively correlated with 50 % PWT. miR-9, which was also upregulated in the spinal dorsal horn neurons of PDN rats, was positively correlated with the expression of CALHM1. The concentration of calcium and ATP as well as the expression of P2X7 receptor in glias was also increased in PDN rats. These increases could be reverted by inhibiting CALHM1 and/or miR-9. CALHM1 is involved in miR-9-mediated ATP-P2X7 pathway between neurons and glias in PDN rat.     

Complete sciatic nerve transection induces increase of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in primary sensory neurons and spinal cord of frogs

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was immunohistochemically investigated in the frog spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after axotomy. In normal ganglia, moderate NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) prevailed in large and medium cells. In the spinal cord, the NPY-IR was densest in the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus. Other fibers and neurons NPY-IR were observed in the dorsal and ventral terminal fields and mediolateral band. NPY-IR fibers were also found in the ventral horn and in the ventral and lateral funiculi. The sciatic nerve transection increased the NPY-IR in large and medium neurons of the ipsilateral and contralateral dorsal root ganglia at 3 and 7 days, but no clear change was found at 15 days. In the spinal cord, there was a bilateral increase in the NPY-IR of the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus. In the ipsilateral side, the NPY-IR was increased at 3 and 7 days but was decreased at 15 days. In the contralateral side, a significant reduction at 15 days occurred. These findings seem to favor the role of NPY in the modulation of pain-related information in frogs, suggesting that this role of NPY may have appeared early in vertebrate evolution.     

蛋白激酶C部分参与伤害性刺激在脊髓背角神经元中引起的c-fos蛋白的表达而可能不参与阿片受体对脊髓痛感受的调制

实验用免疫细胞化学技术观察了大鼠鞘内分别注入蛋白激酶(PKC)抑制剂Chelerythrine(Chel)、纳洛酮(Nal)、或二者同时注入后,由后脚掌注射福尔马林引起的脊髓腰膨大背角中c-fos蛋白样免疫活性(Fos-LI)神经元数目的改变。结果发现:(1)鞘内注入Chel可显著降低福尔马林注射侧脊髓背角中Fos-LI神经元的数目,同空白对照组(鞘内注入生理盐水或10％的DMSO)相比,降低60.3％(P<0.001):(2)鞘内注入Nal后,福尔马林注射侧背角中Fos-LI神经元显著增加,同对照组相比,增加46.0％(P<0.01),而以背角深层增加最为明显;(3)在鞘内同时注入Chel和Nal后,与单独注入Nal组相比,脊髓背角中Fos-LI神经元的数目显著降低(降低53.2％),此数值与上述单独注入Chel时引起Fos-LI神经元降低的百分率近似。结果提示:(1)PKC只参与脊髓背角中部分Fos-LI神经元中c-fos蛋白的表达;(2)PKC可能不参与背角中同时激活的μ-(以及部分δ-)阿片受体对脊髓伤害性感受的调制。     

Metformin attenuates increase of synaptic number in the rat spinal dorsal horn with painful diabetic neuropathy induced by type 2 diabetes: a stereological study

In our previous study, we have shown that number of synapses in the L5 segment of spinal dorsal horn increased significantly in a rat model of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) induced by high-dose of streptozotocin (an animal model of type 1 diabetes). The aims of this study were: (1) to determine whether high fat diet/low dose streptozotocin-diabetes, a rat model for type 2 diabetes, related PDN was also associated with this synaptic plasticity, (2) to reveal the range of this synaptic plasticity change occurred (in the whole length of spinal dorsal horn or only in the L5 lumbar segment of spinal dorsal horn) and (3) to discover whether treatment with metformin had effect on this synaptic plasticity. Male adult Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control group (n?=?7), the PDN group (n?=?6) and the PDN treated with metformin (PDN?+?M) group (n?=?7), respectively. 28 days after medication, synaptic and neuronal numbers in the whole length of spinal dorsal horn or in 1 mm length of the L5 segment of spinal dorsal horn were estimated by the optical disector (a stereological technique). Compared to the control group and the PDN?+?M group, number of synapses in the L5 segment of spinal dorsal horn increased significantly in the PDN group (P?<?0.05). There was no significant change between the control group and the PDN?+?M group in terms of the parameters in the L5 segment of the spinal dorsal horn (P?>?0.05). Parameters of the whole length of spinal dorsal horn showed no significant changes (P?>?0.05). Our results suggest that high fat diet/low dose streptozotocin diabetes related PDN is also associated with a numerical increase of synapses in the L5 segment of spinal dorsal horn but not in the whole length of spinal dorsal horn. Furthermore, the analgesic effect of metformin against PDN is related to its inhibition of numerical increase of synaptic number in the rat spinal dorsal horn.     

AMINO ACID AND SUBSTANCE P CONTENTS IN SPINAL CORD OF CATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL HIND-LIMB RIGIDITY PRODUCED BY OCCLUSION OF SPINAL CORD BLOOD SUPPLY

Abstract— Experimental hind-limb rigidity of spinal origin was produced in cats by temporary occlusion of thoracic aorta and internal mammary arteries. In the lumbar segments (L6- S1) of these rigid cats, the monosynaptic reflex recorded from ventral roots was enhanced whereas the polysynaptic reflexes as well as the dorsal root reflexes were almost abolished. On morphological examination of the lumbar spinal cord, the number of interneurons was greatly reduced, whereas the small sized cells, presumably glial cells, were increased by about two times. Ventral horn motoneurons were also reduced. The lumbar spinal cords of the rigid cats were analysed for amino acid and substance P contents. Four major amino acids, aspartate, glutamate, glycine and GABA, were definitely reduced in both grey and white matter except that the glutamate level in the dorsal white was within the normal range. Content and distribution pattern of substance P were not altered in the lumbar cord of the rigid cats. These results are consistent with the notions that GABA occurs in the dorsal horn interneurons subserving primary afferent depolarisation, and that substance P is concentrated in primary afferent fibre terminals. The implications of the decrease of aspartate, glutamate and glycine in the spinal cord of rigid cats are discussed.     

刺激蓝斑及电针对大鼠脊髓背角神经元伤害性反应的影响

以往的工作表明,蓝斑（LC）-去甲肾上腺素能神经元系统在痛觉调制和针刺镇痛中起着重要作用,本文用电生理学方法研究刺激LC和电针对大鼠脊髓背角神经元伤害性反应的影响,其主要结果如下：1、刺激LC或电针有明显抑制脊髓背角神经元伤害性反应的作用。2、损毁中缝大核和腹腔注射纳洛酮并不明显影响刺激LC的抑制效应。3、α2受体激动剂氯压啶能加强刺激LC或电针的抑制效应,而α受体阻断剂酚妥拉明在一定程度上能削弱这种抑制效应,这些实验结果提示,刺激LC和电针可激活LC神经元,通过其下行纤维,在脊髓水平释放NE,通过α2受体,阻断伤害性信息的传递。     

刺激中缝背核对大鼠脊髓背角神经元伤害性反应的影响及其传出途径的分析

大量资料表明,中缝背核(DR)在痛觉调节中具有重要作用。本实验用电生理学方法研究DR在痛觉调制中的下行性抑制作用,主要观察刺激DR对清醒制动大鼠脊髓背角神经元伤害性放电的影响。其主要结果是:①刺激DR或电针可以抑制脊髓背角神经元的伤害性反应,吗啡可加强这种抑制效应;②损毁中缝大核(NRM)、纳洛酮、麦角酰二乙胺(LSD)、赛庚啶及对氯苯丙氨酸(PCPA)均能部分阻断DR对脊髓背角神经元伤害性反应的抑制,实验结果表明:刺激DR抑制脊髓背角神经元的伤害性反应,部分是通过NRM间接控制背角神经元的伤害性传入;还有一部分是不通过NRM,可能是DR直接对脊髓背角伤害性信息的调制。在这种下行性抑制通路中有5-HT和阿片样物质的参与。     

Prosaposin Facilitates Sciatic Nerve Regeneration In Vivo

Abstract: Prosaposin, a multifunctional protein, is the precursor of saposins, which activate sphingolipid hydrolases. In addition to acting as a precursor for saposins, prosaposin has been shown to rescue hippocampal CA1 neurons from lethal ischemic damage in vivo and to promote neurite extension of neuroblastoma cells in vitro. Here we show that prosaposin, when added to a collagen-filled nerve guide after sciatic nerve transection in guinea pigs, increased dramatically the number of regenerating nerve fibers within the guide. To identify the target neurons of prosaposin during peripheral nerve regeneration, we determined the degree of atrophy and chromatolysis of neurons in the spinal anterior horn and dorsal root ganglia on the prosaposin-treated and untreated side. The effect of prosaposin on large spinal neurons and small neurons of the dorsal root ganglion was more conspicuous. Subsequent immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the atrophy of cholinergic large neurons in the anterior horn is prevented to significant extent by prosaposin treatment. These findings suggest that prosaposin promotes peripheral nerve regeneration by acting on α-motor neurons in the anterior horn and on small sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion. The present study raises the possibility of using prosaposin as a tool for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.     

Effect of myelopeptides on physiological and pathological pain

The action of bone marrow low-molecular peptides (myelopeptides) was studied in the models of physiologic and pathologic pain. Myelopeptides were demonstrated to have a pronounced analgetic effect: they increased the latent period of the rats' response in the hot plate test (physiologic pain) and suppressed severe spinal pain syndrome induced by the generator of pathologically enhanced excitation in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (pathologic pain). In the experiments with naloxone (an opiate receptor blocker) the data on the opiate properties of myelopeptides were further substantiated. The analgetic effect of myelopeptides can be compared to that of morphine and promedol. Myelopeptides even in considerable doses did not have the side effects characteristic of the majority of opiate analgesics. Therefore, they may be recommended for clinical trials.     

Neuropathic Pain in Rats with a Partial Sciatic Nerve Ligation Is Alleviated by Intravenous Injection of Monoclonal Antibody to High Mobility Group Box-1

High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. A previous study reported that intravenous injection of anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody significantly attenuated brain edema in a rat model of stroke, possibly by attenuating glial activation. Peripheral nerve injury leads to increased activity of glia in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Thus, it is possible that the anti-HMGB1 antibody could also be efficacious in attenuating peripheral nerve injury-induced pain. Following partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL), rats were treated with either anti-HMGB1 or control IgG. Intravenous treatment with anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody (2 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated PSNL-induced hind paw tactile hypersensitivity at 7, 14 and 21 days, but not 3 days, after ligation, whereas control IgG had no effect on tactile hypersensitivity. The expression of HMGB1 protein in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly increased 7, 14 and 21 days after PSNL; the efficacy of the anti-HMGB1 antibody is likely related to the presence of HMGB1 protein. Also, the injury-induced translocation of HMGB1 from the nucleus to the cytosol occurred mainly in dorsal horn neurons and not in astrocytes and microglia, indicating a neuronal source of HMGB1. Markers of astrocyte (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)), microglia (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1)) and spinal neuron (cFos) activity were greatly increased in the ipsilateral dorsal horn side compared to the sham-operated side 21 days after PSNL. Anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody treatment significantly decreased the injury-induced expression of cFos and Iba1, but not GFAP. The results demonstrate that nerve injury evokes the synthesis and release of HMGB1 from spinal neurons, facilitating the activity of both microglia and neurons, which in turn leads to symptoms of neuropathic pain. Thus, the targeting of HMGB1 could be a useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of chronic pain.     

Involvement of spinal metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in the development of tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception

It is well known that prolonged exposure to morphine results in tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception. In the present study, we found that either intrathecal (i.t.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of the selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist, methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP), attenuated the development of tolerance to morphine-induced antinociception. Using the receptor binding assay, we found here that the number of mGluR5 in the mouse spinal cord was significantly increased by repeated treatment with morphine. Furthermore, repeated treatment with morphine produced a significant increase in the level of mGluR5 immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord. Double-labeling experiments showed that the increased mGluR5 was predominantly expressed in the neurons and sparsely expressed in the processes of astrocytes following repeated treatment with morphine. Consistent with these results, the response of Ca2+ to the selective group I mGluR agonist, 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), in cultured spinal cord neurons was potently enhanced by 3 days of in vitro treatment with morphine. These findings support the idea that the increased mGluR5 following repeated treatment with morphine leads to enhanced neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and, in turn, suppresses the morphine-induced antinociception in mice.     

The glutamatergic nature of TRPV1-expressing neurons in the spinal dorsal horn

The transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) is expressed on primary afferent terminals and spinal dorsal horn neurons. However, the neurochemical phenotypes and functions of TRPV1-expressing post-synaptic neurons in the spinal cord are not clear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TRPV1-expressing dorsal horn neurons are glutamatergic. Immunocytochemical labeling revealed that TRPV1 and vesicular glutamate transporter-2 were colocalized in dorsal horn neurons and their terminals in the rat spinal cord. Resiniferatoxin (RTX) treatment or dorsal rhizotomy ablated TRPV1-expressing primary afferents but did not affect TRPV1- and vesicular glutamate transporter-2-expressing dorsal horn neurons. Capsaicin significantly increased the frequency of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents and miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents in almost all the lamina II neurons tested in control rats. In RTX-treated or dorsal rhizotomized rats, capsaicin still increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents and miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents in the majority of neurons examined, and this effect was abolished by a TRPV1 blocker or by non-NMDA receptor antagonist. In RTX-treated or in dorsal rhizotomized rats, capsaicin also produced an inward current in a subpopulation of lamina II neurons. However, capsaicin had no effect on GABAergic and glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents of lamina II neurons in RTX-treated or dorsal rhizotomized rats. Collectively, our study provides new histological and functional evidence that TRPV1-expressing dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord are glutamatergic and that they mediate excitatory synaptic transmission. This finding is important to our understanding of the circuitry and phenotypes of intrinsic dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord.     

Differential Roles of Phosphorylated AMPA Receptor GluR1 Subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 Sites in Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn in a Rat Model of Post-Operative Pain

Previous studies have demonstrated that the enhanced levels of phosphorylated α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methy-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 (pGluR1-Ser-831) and Serine-845 (pGluR1-Ser-845) in the spinal cord dorsal horn are involved in central sensitization of inflammatory pain. However, whether the phosphorylatory regulation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits is implicated in the development and maintenance of post-operative pain remains unclear. The current study aims to examine the functional regulation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit through its phosphorylation mechanism during the period of post-operative painful events in rats. Our data indicated that the expression of pGluR1-Ser-831 in ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn increased significantly at 3 h after incision, then decreased gradually, and returned to the normal level 3 day post-incision. Meanwhile, the expression of pGluR1-Ser-845 and GluR1 in ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn remained unchanged. The cumulative pain scores increased at 3 h after incision, gradually decreased afterwards and returned to the baseline values at 4 day after incision and the trend was almost parallel to the expression changes of pGluR1-Ser-831 in spinal dorsal horn. Intrathecal injection of a calcium-dependent protein kinase (PKC) inhibitor, Gö6983 (10 μM), significantly reversed the incision-mediated over-expression of pGluR1-Ser-831 in spinal dorsal horn at 3 h after incision and decreased the cumulative pain scores as well. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 sites might be differentially regulated following surgical procedures and support a neurobiological mechanism of post-operative pain involved in phosphorylation of AMPA subunits GluR1-Ser-831, but not pGluR1-Ser-845. Our study suggests that the therapeutic targeting the phosphorylation regulation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit at Serine-831 site would be potentially significant for treating postoperative pain.

     

Dorsal horn administration of muscimol abolishes the muscle pressor reflex.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of blocking synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn on the cardiovascular responses produced by activation of muscle afferent neurons. Synaptic transmission was blocked by applying the GABA(A) agonist muscimol to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. Cats were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose and urethane, and a laminectomy was performed. With the exception of the L(7) dorsal root, the dorsal and ventral roots from L(5) to S(2) were sectioned on one side, and static contraction of the ipsilateral triceps surae muscle was evoked by electrically stimulating the peripheral ends of the L(7) and S(1) ventral roots. The dorsal surface of the L(4)--S(3) segments of the spinal cord were enclosed within a "well" created by applying layers of vinyl polysiloxane. Administration of a 1 mM solution of muscimol (based on dose-response data) into this well abolished the reflex pressor response to contraction (change in mean arterial blood pressure before was 47 +/- 7 mmHg and after muscimol was 3 +/- 2 mmHg). Muscle stretch increased mean arterial blood pressure by 30 +/- 8 mmHg before muscimol, but after drug application stretch increased MAP by only 3 +/- 2 mmHg. Limiting muscimol to the L(7) segment attenuated the pressor responses to contraction (37 +/- 7 to 24 +/- 11 mmHg) and stretch (28 +/- 2 to 16 +/- 8 mmHg). These data suggest that the dorsal horn of the spinal cord contains an obligatory synapse for the pressor reflex. Furthermore, these data support the hypothesis that branches of primary afferent neurons, not intraspinal pathways, are responsible for the multisegmental integration of the pressor reflex.     

Changes in expression of nociceptin/orphanin FQ and its receptor in spinal dorsal horn during electroacupuncture treatment for peripheral inflammatory pain in rats

The neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), the endogenous agonist of the N/OFQ peptide receptor (NOP receptor), has been demonstrated to be involved in many physiological and pathological functions including pain modulation. It was reported that electroacupuncture (EA) had a potent analgesic effect on inflammatory pain by activating various endogenous transmitters such as the opioid peptides. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EA on peripheral inflammatory pain and the expression of N/OFQ and the NOP receptor in the spinal dorsal horn of rats, using a behavioral test, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis techniques. The results showed: (1) EA had an accumulative analgesic effect on chronic inflammatory pain; (2) in the superficial layers of the spinal dorsal horn, the level of mRNA of the precursor protein for N/OFQ (preproN/OFQ, ppN/OFQ) was increased and the N/OFQ immunoreactivity was decreased after peripheral inflammation, and could be significantly increased by EA treatment; (3) both mRNA and protein levels of the NOP receptor in the spinal dorsal horn were significantly increased after chronic inflammatory pain and could be further enhanced by EA treatment. The present data demonstrated that EA could activate the endogenous N/OFQ-NOP receptor system, and this might underlie the effectiveness of EA in the treatment of inflammatory pain.     

The kv4.2 potassium channel subunit is required for pain plasticity

A-type potassium currents are important determinants of neuronal excitability. In spinal cord dorsal horn neurons, A-type currents are modulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), which mediate central sensitization during inflammatory pain. Here, we report that Kv4.2 mediates the majority of A-type current in dorsal horn neurons and is a critical site for modulation of neuronal excitability and nociceptive behaviors. Genetic elimination of Kv4.2 reduces A-type currents and increases excitability of dorsal horn neurons, resulting in enhanced sensitivity to tactile and thermal stimuli. Furthermore, ERK-mediated modulation of excitability in dorsal horn neurons and ERK-dependent forms of pain hypersensitivity are absent in Kv4.2(-/-) mice compared to wild-type littermates. Finally, mutational analysis of Kv4.2 indicates that S616 is the functionally relevant ERK phosphorylation site for modulation of Kv4.2-mediated currents in neurons. These results show that Kv4.2 is a downstream target of ERK in spinal cord and plays a crucial role in pain plasticity.     

Effects of morphine, L-DOPA and tetrabenazine on the lamina V cells of spinal dorsal horn.

Experiments were performed to clarify the adrenergic mechanism of morphine action in the spinal cord. Unit activity of lamina V cell of spinal dorsal horn (L₆−L₇) of the rabbit was recorded using microelectrode. An administration of bradykinin into the femoral artery markedly increased in frequency of the unit activity. Morphine or L-Dopa inhibited the bradykinin-induced response of lumina V cell. In contrast, tetrabenazine facilitated the bradykinin-induced response. Electrical stimuli of the bulbar reticular formation, particularly the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis markedly inhibited the dorsal horn response induced by bradykinin injection. Effect of stimulation of the bulbar reticular formation was blocked by tetrabenazine and reversed by L-Dopa. These results support the hypothesis that the bulbospinal catecholaminergic neuron inhibits the pain transmission at the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and analgesic action of morphine is mainly mediated by activation of this neuron.