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Karagianni E, Rassouli O, Poulaki S, Dermitzaki E, Liapakis G, Margioris AN, Venihaki M. Corticotropin-releasing hormone deficiency results in impaired analgesic response during CFA-induced inflammation. Hormones (Athens) 2024:10.1007/s42000-024-00565-8. [PMID: 38740711 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-024-00565-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays an important role in relief of pain by releasing analgesia-associated molecules in several inflammatory states. During inflammation, peripheral CRH acts on cells of the immune system to stimulate the local expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and the production of β-endorphin, which in turn binds to opioid receptors on sensory neurons to produce antinociception. In the present study, we further investigated the role of endogenous CRH in inflammatory pain by determining the effects of Crh-deficiency on this process. METHODS For this purpose, we used Crh-deficient (Crh-/-) mice and their wildtype (Crh + / +) littermates in the CFA (Complete Freund's Adjuvant)-induced inflammatory pain model. Pain thresholds were evaluated with the Hargreaves apparatus. RESULTS Our experiments showed that Crh deficiency led to increased pain response, which was associated with decreased POMC mRNA levels in locally inflamed paws of these mice. Furthermore, Crh-/- mice had higher paw edema than Crh + / + mice. Histological evaluation of inflamed paw tissues revealed increased inflammatory response in Crh-/- mice. Protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, were higher in inflamed tissue of Crh-/- mice compared to wildtype mice. Corticosterone replacement increased the pain threshold of Crh-/- mice, restored their paw volume to the levels of wildtype mice, and significantly reduced their proinflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, glucocorticoid administration significantly increased POMC mRNA expression in the inflamed paw. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that genetic deficiency of CRH is associated with increased pain. This effect is likely attributable to the accompanying glucocorticoid insufficiency and is in part mediated by opioids expressed locally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Karagianni
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Olga Rassouli
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Smaragda Poulaki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eirini Dermitzaki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Liapakis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andrew N Margioris
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Venihaki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
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Liu W, Luo Y, Song W, Dan H, Li L, Zhou D, You P. Angelica Yinzi Alleviates Pruritus-Related Atopic Dermatitis through Skin Repair, Antioxidation, and Balancing Peripheral μ- and κ-opioid Receptors. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2023; 2023:6058951. [PMID: 37790739 PMCID: PMC10545464 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6058951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Angelica Yinzi (AYZ) is a Chinese traditional herbal formula reported to attenuate itches and inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the underlying mechanism of AYZ in the attenuation of itchiness and inflammation remains unknown. Objective This study investigated the mechanism of AYZ in reducing itchiness in mice with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene- (DNCB-)-induced atopic dermatitis. Methods Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue staining were used to evaluate pathological changes in skin tissue, while an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the cytokine levels in the skin. After that, qRT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of cytokines in the skin. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis were further used to assess µ-opioid receptor (MOR) expression and immunohistochemistry to assess the p-ERK, p-AKT, and κ-opioid receptor (KOR). Results The AYZ treatment alleviated the AD clinical symptoms, including decreasing the scratching frequency, the ear thickness, and the infiltration of mast cells, lymphocytes, inflammatory cells, and mononuclear cells. In addition, AYZ inhibited the expression of interleukin (IL)-13, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and reduced neuraminidase (NA), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression. Markers involved in itches, such as p-ERK and p-AKT, were significantly downregulated following AYZ treatment. Besides, AYZ significantly increased MOR expression and downregulated KOR in the epidermis and spinal cord. Conclusion Our findings imply that AYZ ameliorates pruritus-related AD through skin repair, antioxidation, and balancing peripheral MOR and KOR. The findings in this study lay a theoretical foundation for the control mechanism of peripheral itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Research Center, Mayinglong Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Wanci Song
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Hanxiong Dan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, China
| | - Daonian Zhou
- Research Center, Mayinglong Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Pengtao You
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Chemistry of Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
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Deal B, Phillips K, Crelli C, Janjic JM, Pollock JA. RNA-Seq Reveals Sex Differences in Gene Expression during Peripheral Neuropathic Inflammation and in Pain Relief from a COX-2 Inhibiting Theranostic Nanoemulsion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119163. [PMID: 37298117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Given decades of neuroinflammatory pain research focused only on males, there is an urgent need to better understand neuroinflammatory pain in females. This, paired with the fact that currently there is no long-term effective treatment for neuropathic pain furthers the need to evaluate how neuropathic pain develops in both sexes and how it can be relieved. Here we show that chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve caused comparable levels of mechanical allodynia in both sexes. Using a COX-2 inhibiting theranostic nanoemulsion with increased drug loading, both sexes achieved similar reduction in mechanical hypersensitivity. Given that both sexes have improved pain behavior, we specifically explored differential gene expression between sexes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) during pain and relief. Total RNA from the DRG revealed a sexually dimorphic expression for injury and relief caused by COX-2 inhibition. Of note, both males and females experience increased expression of activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3), however, only the female DRG shows decreased expression following drug treatment. Alternatively, S100A8 and S100A9 expression appear to play a sex specific role in relief in males. The sex differences in RNA expression reveal that comparable behavior does not necessitate the same gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Deal
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Katherine Phillips
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Caitlin Crelli
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Jelena M Janjic
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - John A Pollock
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science & Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
- Chronic Pain Research Consortium, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
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al'Absi M, Nakajima M, Bruehl S. Stress and pain: modality-specific opioid mediation of stress-induced analgesia. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1397-1407. [PMID: 34405305 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02401-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical research has demonstrated that exposure to acute stress is associated with attenuated pain perception, so called stress-induced analgesia (SIA). Mechanisms of SIA in humans have not been reliably demonstrated. This study examined the role of the endogenous opioid system in the impact of combined interpersonal and mental stressors on evoked pain responses in 84 participants (34 women). Using a within-subject, double-blinded, counterbalanced design, participants were administered either oral placebo or the opioid antagonist naltrexone (50 mg) across two testing sessions. In each session, they experienced two evoked pain stimuli (cold pressor test [CPT], heat pain) after an extended rest period (rest condition) and after exposure to an acute stressor (a combination of public speaking and mental arithmetic challenge; stress condition). Results showed that both stress and opioid blockade produced significant changes in hormonal and cardiovascular measures, consistent with successful induction of acute stress. Stress was associated with attenuated pain perception (SIA) as indicated by significantly increased CPT tolerance. These effects were particularly pronounced in individuals experiencing the stress condition first. More importantly, SIA effects on CPT tolerance were abolished by opioid blockade. There were no significant SIA effects on heat pain responses. This study demonstrates that the endogenous opioid system may mediate effects of acute stress on pain perception, although this effect seems to be qualified by the type of evoked pain stimuli experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa al'Absi
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 1035 University Drive, Duluth, Minneapolis, MN, 55812, USA.
| | - Motohiro Nakajima
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 1035 University Drive, Duluth, Minneapolis, MN, 55812, USA
| | - Stephen Bruehl
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Zheng H, Lim JY, Seong JY, Hwang SW. The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone at Peripheral Nociceptors: Implications for Pain Modulation. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120623. [PMID: 33348790 PMCID: PMC7766747 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nociceptors and their synaptic partners utilize neuropeptides for signal transmission. Such communication tunes the excitatory and inhibitory function of nociceptor-based circuits, eventually contributing to pain modulation. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the initiator hormone for the conventional hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, preparing our body for stress insults. Although knowledge of the expression and functional profiles of CRH and its receptors and the outcomes of their interactions has been actively accumulating for many brain regions, those for nociceptors are still under gradual investigation. Currently, based on the evidence of their expressions in nociceptors and their neighboring components, several hypotheses for possible pain modulations are emerging. Here we overview the historical attention to CRH and its receptors on the peripheral nociception and the recent increases in information regarding their roles in tuning pain signals. We also briefly contemplate the possibility that the stress-response paradigm can be locally intrapolated into intercellular communication that is driven by nociceptor neurons. Such endeavors may contribute to a more precise view of local peptidergic mechanisms of peripheral pain modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.Z.); (J.Y.L.); (J.Y.S.)
| | - Ji Yeon Lim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.Z.); (J.Y.L.); (J.Y.S.)
| | - Jae Young Seong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.Z.); (J.Y.L.); (J.Y.S.)
| | - Sun Wook Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.Z.); (J.Y.L.); (J.Y.S.)
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2286-1204; Fax: +82-2-925-5492
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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Pathophysiological Basis of Endometriosis-Linked Stress Associated with Pain and Infertility: A Conceptual Review. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed1010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with endometriosis are often under stress due to the associated pain, infertility, inflammation-related and other comorbidities including cancer. Additionally, these women are also under stress due to taboos, myths, inter-personal troubles surrounding infertility and pain of the disease as well as due to frequent incidences of missed diagnosis and treatment recurrence. Often these women suffer from frustration and loss of valuable time in the prime phase of life. All these complexities integral to endometriosis posit a hyperstructure of integrative stress physiology with overt differentials in effective allostatic state in women with disease compared with disease-free women. In the present review, we aim to critically examine various aspects of pathophysiological basis of stress surrounding endometriosis with special emphasis on pain and subfertility that are known to affect the overall health and quality of life of women with the disease and promising pathophysiological basis for its effective management.
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Delery EC, Edwards S. Neuropeptide and cytokine regulation of pain in the context of substance use disorders. Neuropharmacology 2020; 174:108153. [PMID: 32470337 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently accompanied by affective symptoms that promote negative reinforcement mechanisms contributing to SUD maintenance or progression. Despite their widespread use as analgesics, chronic or excessive exposure to alcohol, opioids, and nicotine produces heightened nociceptive sensitivity, termed hyperalgesia. This review focuses on the contributions of neuropeptide (CRF, melanocortin, opioid peptide) and cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, chemokine) systems in the development and maintenance of substance-induced hyperalgesia. Few effective therapies exist for either chronic pain or SUD, and the common interaction of these disease states likely complicates their effective treatment. Here we highlight promising new discoveries as well as identify gaps in research that could lead to more effective and even simultaneous treatment of SUDs and co-morbid hyperalgesia symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Delery
- Department of Physiology and Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology and Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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Glucocorticoid receptor inhibit the activity of NF-κB through p38 signaling pathway in spinal cord in the spared nerve injury rats. Life Sci 2018; 208:268-275. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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