scholarly journals 5-HT7 Receptor Is Involved in Electroacupuncture Inhibition of Chronic Pain in the Spinal Cord

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Cui Yuan ◽  
Xiang-Ji Yan ◽  
Li-Xia Tian ◽  
Yi-Xiao Guo ◽  
Yu-Long Zhao ◽  
...  

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common and disabling condition characterized by attacks of pain around the joints, and it is a typical disease that develops chronic pain. Previous studies have proved that 5-HT1, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord are involved in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia. The 5-HT7 receptor plays antinociceptive role in the spinal cord. However, it is unclear whether the 5-HT7 receptor is involved in EA analgesia. The 5-HT7 receptor is a stimulatory G-protein (Gs)-coupled receptor that activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) to stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation, which in turn activates protein kinase A (PKA). In the present study, we found that EA significantly increased the tactile threshold and the expression of the 5-HT7 receptor in the dorsal spinal cord. Intrathecal injection of 5-HT7 receptor agonist AS-19 mimicked the analgesic effect of EA, while a selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist reversed this effect. Moreover, intrathecal injection of AC and PKA antagonists prior to EA intervention prevented its anti-allodynic effect. In addition, GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline administered (intrathecal, i.t.) prior to EA intervention blocked the EA effect on pain hypersensitivity. Our data suggest that the spinal 5-HT7 receptor activates GABAergic neurons through the Gs–cAMP–PKA pathway and participates in EA-mediated inhibition of chronic pain in a mouse model of KOA.

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Rui Chen ◽  
Hui-Lin Pan

Background Systemic morphine is known to cause increased release of acetyicholine in the spinal cord. Intrathecal injection of the cholinergic receptor agonists or acetyicholinesterase inhibitors produces antinociception in both animals and humans. In the present study, we explored the functional importance of spinal endogenous acetylcholine in the analgesic action produced by intravenous morphine. Methods Rats were implanted with intravenous and intrathecal catheters. The antinociceptive effect of morphine was determined by the paw-withdrawal latency in response to a radiant heat stimulus after intrathecal treatment with atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), mecamylamine (a nicotinic receptor antagonist), or cholinergic neurotoxins (ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion [AF64A] and hemicholinium-3). Results Intravenous injection of 2.5 mg/kg morphine increased significantly the paw-withdrawal latency. Intrathecal pretreatment with 30 microg atropine (n = 7) or 50 microg mecamylamine (n = 6) both attenuated significantly the antinociceptive effect of morphine. The inhibitory effect of atropine on the effect of morphine was greater than that of mecamylanilne. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect of morphine was significantly reduced in rats pretreated with intrathecal AF64A (n = 7) or hemicholinium-3 (n = 6) to inhibit the high-affinity choline transporter and acetylcholine synthesis. We found that intrathecal AF64A reduced significantly the [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding sites but did not affect its affinity in the dorsal spinal cord. Conclusions The data in the current study indicate that spinal endogenous acetylcholine plays an important role in mediating the analgesic effect of systemic morphine through both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Xu ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Lijuan Li ◽  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
Xiaolu Lei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The importance of P2X purinoceptors, CB2 receptor and microRNA-124(miR-124) in spinal cord microglia to the development of neuropathic pain was demonstrated in numerous previous studies. The upregulation of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors in spinal dorsal horn microglia is involved in the development of pain behavior caused by peripheral nerve injury. However, it is not clear whether the expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors at dorsal spinal cord will be influenced by CB2 receptor or miR-124 in rats after chronic sciatic nerve injury.Methods: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was performed in rats to induce neuropathic pain. Tests of the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) were carried out to assess the response of the paw to mechanical stimulus. The expression of miR-124, P2X4, P2X7 and CB2 receptor were detected with RT-PCR. The protein expression of P2X4, P2X7 and CB2 receptor, RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, p-p38MAPK and p-NF-kappaBp65 was detected with Western blotting analysis. Results: Intrathecal administration of CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 significantly attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and significantly inhibited the increased expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors at the mRNA and protein levels, which imply that P2X4 and P2X7 receptors expression are down-regulated by AM1241 in CCI rats. Western blot analysis showed that AM1241 suppressed the elevated expression of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, p-p38MAPK and NF-κBp65 in the dorsal spinal cord induced by CCI. After administration with Y-27632 (ROCK inhibitor), SB203580 (P38MAPK inhibitor) or PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor), the levels of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors expression in the dorsal spinal cord were lower than those in CCI rats, which imply that the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation may contribute to the increased expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptor. On the other hand, in CCI rats, AM1241 treatment evoked the increased expression of CB2 receptor and miRNA-124, which can be inhibited by intrathecal injection of CB2 receptor antagonist AM630, which indicate that the increased expression of miRNA-124 may be medicated by CB2 receptor activation. In addition, the increased expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors in the dorsal spinal cord of CCI rats were inhibited by miRNA-124 agomir. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of miRNA-124 agomir could efficiently inhibit the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation in CCI rats. Moreover, AM1241 treatment significantly inhibited the expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors, and this suppression is enhanced by pretreatment with miRNA-124 agomir. On the contrast, the inhibitory effect of AM1241 on the expression of P2X4 and P2X7 receptor can be reversed by pretreatment with miRNA-124 antagomir.Conclusions: In CCI rats, intrathecal injection of AM1241 could efficiently induce the increased expression of miRNA-124, while inhibiting the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation in dorsal spinal cord. CB2 receptor/miRNA-124 signaling induced the decreased P2X4 and P2X7 receptors expression via inhibit the ROCK/P38MAPK pathway and NF-κB activation.


1992 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 1389-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Hill ◽  
J. G. Pickar ◽  
M. P. Kaufman

The chemical messengers released onto second-order dorsal horn neurons from the spinal terminals of contraction-activated group III and IV muscle afferents have not been identified. One candidate is the tachykinin substance P. Related to substance P are two other tachykinins, neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), which, like substance P, have been isolated in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and have receptors there. Whether NKA or NKB plays a transmitter/modulator role in the spinal processing of the exercise pressor reflex is unknown. Therefore, we tested the following hypotheses. After the intrathecal injection of a highly selective NK-1 (substance P) receptor antagonist onto the lumbosacral spinal cord, the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to static muscular contraction will be attenuated. Likewise, after the intrathecal injection either of an NK-2 (NKA) receptor antagonist or an NK-3 (NKB) receptor antagonist onto the lumbrosacral spinal cord, the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to static contraction will be attenuated. We found that, 10 min after the intrathecal injection of 100 micrograms of the NK-1 receptor antagonist, the pressor and ventilatory responses to contraction were significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated. Mean arterial pressure was attenuated by 13 +/- 3 mmHg (48%) and minute volume of ventilation by 120 +/- 38 ml/min (34%). The cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to contraction before either 100 micrograms of the NK-2 receptor antagonist or 100 micrograms of the NK-3 receptor antagonist were not different (P > 0.05) from those after the NK-2 or the NK-3 receptor antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (5) ◽  
pp. R1407-R1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidehiro Kakizaki ◽  
Mitsuharu Yoshiyama ◽  
Tomohiko Koyanagi ◽  
William C. De Groat

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in the central nervous system have been implicated in the control of micturition. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of a selective 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist { N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]- N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride (WAY100635)} on the micturition-reflex pathway in urethane-anesthetized female Wistar rats. Rhythmic isovolumetric bladder contractions evoked by bladder distension were abolished by 0.3- to 3-mg/kg iv or 30- to 100-μg intrathecal (it) administration of WAY100635 in a dose-dependent manner for periods of 3–15 min. Intrathecal injection of WAY100635 was effective only if injected at the L6-S1 spinal cord level, but not at the thoracic or cervical cord levels. WAY100635 (30–100 μg it) significantly reduced the amplitude of bladder contractions evoked by electrical stimulation of the pontine micturition center. However, the field potentials in the rostral pons evoked by electrical stimulation of pelvic nerve were not affected by intrathecal or intravenous injection of WAY100635. These results suggest that 5-HT1A receptors at the L6-S1 level of the spinal cord have an important role in the tonic control of the descending limb of the micturition-reflex pathway in the rat.


2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. H859-H865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Aman Mahajan ◽  
John C. Longhurst

The role of nociceptin and its spinal cord neural pathways in electroacupuncture (EA)-related inhibition of visceral excitatory reflexes is not clear. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an endogenous ligand for a G protein-coupled receptor, called the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor, which has been found to be distributed in the spinal cord. The present study investigated the importance of this system in visceral-cardiovascular reflex modulation during EA. Cardiovascular pressor reflex responses were induced by gastric distension in Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized by ketamine and xylazine. An intrathecal injection of nociceptin (10 nM) at T1–2 attenuated the pressor responses by 35%, similar to the influence of EA at P 5–6 (42% decrease). An intrathecal injection of the NOP antagonist, [ N-Phe1]nociceptin1-13 NH2, partially reversed the EA response. Pretreatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone did not alter the EA-like inhibitory effect of nociceptin on the pressor reflex, whereas a combination of nociceptin receptor antagonist with naloxone completely abolished the EA response. An intrathecal injection of nociceptin attenuated the pressor responses to the electrical stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla by 46%, suggesting that nociceptin can regulate sympathetic outflow. Furthermore, a bilateral microinjection of NOP antagonist into either the dorsal horn or the intermediolateral column at T1 partially reversed the EA inhibitory effect. These results suggest that nociceptin in the spinal cord mediates part of the EA-related modulation of visceral reflex responses.


2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. R93-R108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haihua Yang ◽  
Linghai Yang

In mammals, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is an intracellular second messenger that is usually elicited by binding of hormones and neurotransmitters to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). cAMP exerts many of its physiological effects by activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), which in turn phosphorylates and regulates the functions of downstream protein targets including ion channels, enzymes, and transcription factors. cAMP/PKA signaling pathway regulates glucose homeostasis at multiple levels including insulin and glucagon secretion, glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis and breakdown, gluconeogenesis, and neural control of glucose homeostasis. This review summarizes recent genetic and pharmacological studies concerning the regulation of glucose homeostasis by cAMP/PKA in pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissues, and brain. We also discuss the strategies for targeting cAMP/PKA pathway for research and potential therapeutic treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).


2007 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Romero-Sandoval ◽  
James C. Eisenach

Background Cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 and produce analgesia in several pain models, but central side effects from cannabinoid 1 receptors limit their clinical use. Cannabinoid 2 receptors reduce inflammatory responses in the periphery by acting on immune cells, and they are present on glia in the central nervous system. This study tested whether spinal cannabinoid activation would induce analgesia, glial inhibition, and central side effects in a postoperative model or incisional pain. Methods Rats underwent paw incision surgery, with intrathecal injections of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists and assessment of withdrawal thresholds and behavioral side effects. Spinal glial activation was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results Intrathecal administration CP55940 reduced postoperative hypersensitivity (91 +/- 9% maximum possible effect; P &lt; 0.05), and this was prevented by intrathecal administration of both cannabinoid 1 receptor (AM281) and cannabinoid 2 receptor (AM630) antagonists. CP55940 also caused several behavioral side effects, and these were prevented by the cannabinoid 1 receptor but not by the cannabinoid 2 receptor antagonist. Intrathecal injection of the cannabinoid 2 receptor agonist JWH015 reversed postoperative hypersensitivity (89 +/- 5% maximum possible effect; P &lt; 0.05), and this was reversed by the cannabinoid 2 but not by the cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist. JWH015, which did not induce behavioral side effects, reduced paw incision induced microglial and astrocytic activation in spinal cord (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions These data indicate that intrathecal administration of cannabinoid receptor agonists may provide postoperative analgesia while reducing spinal glial activation, and that selective cannabinoid 2 receptor agonists may do so without central side effects.


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