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Fan YZ, Duan YL, Chen CT, Wang Y, Zhu AP. Advances in attenuating opioid-induced respiratory depression: A narrative review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38837. [PMID: 39029082 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Opioids exert analgesic effects by agonizing opioid receptors and activating signaling pathways coupled to receptors such as G-protein and/or β-arrestin. Concomitant respiratory depression (RD) is a common clinical problem, and improvement of RD is usually achieved with specific antagonists such as naloxone; however, naloxone antagonizes opioid analgesia and may produce more unknown adverse effects. In recent years, researchers have used various methods to isolate opioid receptor-mediated analgesia and RD, with the aim of preserving opioid analgesia while attenuating RD. At present, the focus is mainly on the development of new opioids with weak respiratory inhibition or the use of non-opioid drugs to stimulate breathing. This review reports recent advances in novel opioid agents, such as mixed opioid receptor agonists, peripheral selective opioid receptor agonists, opioid receptor splice variant agonists, biased opioid receptor agonists, and allosteric modulators of opioid receptors, as well as in non-opioid agents, such as AMPA receptor modulators, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Zheng Fan
- The 991st Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yun-Li Duan
- Xiangyang No. 4 Middle School Compulsory Education Department, Xiangyang, China
| | - Chuan-Tao Chen
- Taihe Country People's Hospital·The Taihe Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Fuyang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- The 991st Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Xiangyang, China
| | - An-Ping Zhu
- The 991st Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Xiangyang, China
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2
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Xie RG, Xu GY, Wu SX, Luo C. Presynaptic glutamate receptors in nociception. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 251:108539. [PMID: 37783347 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a frequent, distressing and poorly understood health problem. Plasticity of synaptic transmission in the nociceptive pathways after inflammation or injury is assumed to be an important cellular basis for chronic, pathological pain. Glutamate serves as the main excitatory neurotransmitter at key synapses in the somatosensory nociceptive pathways, in which it acts on both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Although conventionally postsynaptic, compelling anatomical and physiological evidence demonstrates the presence of presynaptic glutamate receptors in the nociceptive pathways. Presynaptic glutamate receptors play crucial roles in nociceptive synaptic transmission and plasticity. They modulate presynaptic neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity, which in turn regulates pain sensitization. In this review, we summarize the latest understanding of the expression of presynaptic glutamate receptors in the nociceptive pathways, and how they contribute to nociceptive information processing and pain hypersensitivity associated with inflammation / injury. We uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms of presynaptic glutamate receptors in shaping synaptic transmission and plasticity to mediate pain chronicity, which may provide therapeutic approaches for treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rou-Gang Xie
- Department of Neurobiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Guang-Yin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Sheng-Xi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Ceng Luo
- Department of Neurobiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Cucinello-Ragland JA, Alrashed NH, Lee S, Davis EC, Edwards KN, Edwards S. Sex-specific biobehavioral regulation of persistent inflammatory pain by alcohol. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1283-1296. [PMID: 37208939 PMCID: PMC10422981 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although a large percentage of chronic pain patients consume alcohol to manage their pain, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effects of alcohol. METHODS To determine the longitudinal analgesic effects of alcohol, we utilized the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammatory pain in adult female and male Wistar rats. Both somatic and negative motivational aspects of pain were measured using the electronic von Frey (mechanical nociception) system, thermal probe test (thermal nociception), and mechanical conflict avoidance task (pain avoidance-like behavior). Tests were conducted at baseline and 1 and 3 weeks following intraplantar CFA or saline administration. At both time points post-CFA, animals were treated with each of three doses of alcohol (intraperitoneal; 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg) over separate days in a Latin square design. RESULTS Alcohol produced dose-dependent mechanical analgesia and antihyperalgesia in females but only antihyperalgesia in males. Although alcohol continued to attenuate CFA-induced decreases in both thermal and mechanical nociceptive thresholds between 1 and 3 weeks post-CFA, it appeared less effective at increasing thresholds 3 weeks after CFA induction. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that individuals may develop tolerance to alcohol's ability to alleviate both somatic and negative motivational symptoms of chronic pain over time. We also discovered sex-specific neuroadaptations in protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) phosphorylation in nociceptive brain centers of animals receiving an alcohol challenge 1 week post-CFA. Together, these findings illustrate a sex-specific regulation of behavioral and neurobiological indices of persistent pain by alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Cucinello-Ragland
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans
| | | | - Sumin Lee
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans
| | | | | | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, LSU Health-New Orleans
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4
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Getsy PM, Baby SM, May WJ, Bates JN, Ellis CR, Feasel MG, Wilson CG, Lewis THJ, Gaston B, Hsieh YH, Lewis SJ. L-cysteine methyl ester overcomes the deleterious effects of morphine on ventilatory parameters and arterial blood-gas chemistry in unanesthetized rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:968378. [PMID: 36249760 PMCID: PMC9554613 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.968378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We are developing a series of thiolesters that produce an immediate and sustained reversal of the deleterious effects of opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl, on ventilation without diminishing the antinociceptive effects of these opioids. We report here the effects of systemic injections of L-cysteine methyl ester (L-CYSme) on morphine-induced changes in ventilatory parameters, arterial-blood gas (ABG) chemistry (pH, pCO2, pO2, sO2), Alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient (i.e., the index of alveolar gas-exchange within the lungs), and antinociception in unanesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. The administration of morphine (10 mg/kg, IV) produced a series of deleterious effects on ventilatory parameters, including sustained decreases in tidal volume, minute ventilation, inspiratory drive and peak inspiratory flow that were accompanied by a sustained increase in end inspiratory pause. A single injection of L-CYSme (500 μmol/kg, IV) produced a rapid and long-lasting reversal of the deleterious effects of morphine on ventilatory parameters, and a second injection of L-CYSme (500 μmol/kg, IV) elicited pronounced increases in ventilatory parameters, such as minute ventilation, to values well above pre-morphine levels. L-CYSme (250 or 500 μmol/kg, IV) also produced an immediate and sustained reversal of the deleterious effects of morphine (10 mg/kg, IV) on arterial blood pH, pCO2, pO2, sO2 and A-a gradient, whereas L-cysteine (500 μmol/kg, IV) itself was inactive. L-CYSme (500 μmol/kg, IV) did not appear to modulate the sedative effects of morphine as measured by righting reflex times, but did diminish the duration, however, not the magnitude of the antinociceptive actions of morphine (5 or 10 mg/kg, IV) as determined in tail-flick latency and hindpaw-withdrawal latency assays. These findings provide evidence that L-CYSme can powerfully overcome the deleterious effects of morphine on breathing and gas-exchange in Sprague Dawley rats while not affecting the sedative or early stage antinociceptive effects of the opioid. The mechanisms by which L-CYSme interferes with the OR-induced signaling pathways that mediate the deleterious effects of morphine on ventilatory performance, and by which L-CYSme diminishes the late stage antinociceptive action of morphine remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina M. Getsy
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Paulina M. Getsy,
| | | | - Walter J. May
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - James N. Bates
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Christopher R. Ellis
- United States Army CCDC Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Michael G. Feasel
- United States Army CCDC Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Christopher G. Wilson
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Physiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Tristan H. J. Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Benjamin Gaston
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yee-Hsee Hsieh
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Stephen J. Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Kiselev A, Kotov A, Mikhaleva M, Stovbun S, Kotov S. Ampakines — a promising approach to neuroprotection. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2022; 122:54-62. [DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202212209154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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6
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Zeng F, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Sun G, Li A, Talay RS, Wang J. AMPAkines potentiate the corticostriatal pathway to reduce acute and chronic pain. Mol Brain 2021; 14:45. [PMID: 33653395 PMCID: PMC7923831 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The corticostriatal circuit plays an important role in the regulation of reward- and aversion-types of behaviors. Specifically, the projection from the prelimbic cortex (PL) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been shown to regulate sensory and affective aspects of pain in a number of rodent models. Previous studies have shown that enhancement of glutamate signaling through the NAc by AMPAkines, a class of agents that specifically potentiate the function of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, reduces acute and persistent pain. However, it is not known whether postsynaptic potentiation of the NAc with these agents can achieve the full anti-nociceptive effects of PL activation. Here we compared the impact of AMPAkine treatment in the NAc with optogenetic activation of the PL on pain behaviors in rats. We found that not only does AMPAkine treatment partially reconstitute the PL inhibition of sensory withdrawals, it fully occludes the effect of the PL on reducing the aversive component of pain. These results indicate that the NAc is likely one of the key targets for the PL, especially in the regulation of pain aversion. Furthermore, our results lend support for neuromodulation or pharmacological activation of the corticostriatal circuit as an important analgesic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zeng
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qiaosheng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guanghao Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert S Talay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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7
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Cortical Modulation of Nociception. Neuroscience 2021; 458:256-270. [PMID: 33465410 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nociception is the neuronal process of encoding noxious stimuli and could be modulated at peripheral, spinal, brainstem, and cortical levels. At cortical levels, several areas including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO), insular cortex (IC), motor cortex (MC), and somatosensory cortices are involved in nociception modulation through two main mechanisms: (i) a descending modulatory effect at spinal level by direct corticospinal projections or mostly by activation of brainstem structures (i.e. periaqueductal grey matter (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), the nucleus of raphe (RM) and rostroventral medulla (RVM)); and by (ii) cortico-cortical or cortico-subcortical interactions. This review summarizes evidence related to the participation of the aforementioned cortical areas in nociception modulation and different neurotransmitters or neuromodulators that have been studied in each area. Besides, we point out the importance of considering intracortical neuronal populations and receptors expression, as well as, nociception-induced cortical changes, both functional and connectional, to better understand this modulatory effect. Finally, we discuss the possible mechanisms that could potentiate the use of cortical stimulation as a promising procedure in pain alleviation.
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8
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Kummer KK, Mitrić M, Kalpachidou T, Kress M. The Medial Prefrontal Cortex as a Central Hub for Mental Comorbidities Associated with Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3440. [PMID: 32414089 PMCID: PMC7279227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients frequently develop and suffer from mental comorbidities such as depressive mood, impaired cognition, and other significant constraints of daily life, which can only insufficiently be overcome by medication. The emotional and cognitive components of pain are processed by the medial prefrontal cortex, which comprises the anterior cingulate cortex, the prelimbic, and the infralimbic cortex. All three subregions are significantly affected by chronic pain: magnetic resonance imaging has revealed gray matter loss in all these areas in chronic pain conditions. While the anterior cingulate cortex appears hyperactive, prelimbic, and infralimbic regions show reduced activity. The medial prefrontal cortex receives ascending, nociceptive input, but also exerts important top-down control of pain sensation: its projections are the main cortical input of the periaqueductal gray, which is part of the descending inhibitory pain control system at the spinal level. A multitude of neurotransmitter systems contributes to the fine-tuning of the local circuitry, of which cholinergic and GABAergic signaling are particularly emerging as relevant components of affective pain processing within the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, factors such as distraction, positive mood, and anticipation of pain relief such as placebo can ameliorate pain by affecting mPFC function, making this cortical area a promising target region for medical as well as psychosocial interventions for pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.K.); (M.M.); (T.K.)
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Imam MZ, Kuo A, Smith MT. Countering opioid-induced respiratory depression by non-opioids that are respiratory stimulants. F1000Res 2020; 9. [PMID: 32089833 PMCID: PMC7008602 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.21738.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Strong opioid analgesics are the mainstay of therapy for the relief of moderate to severe acute nociceptive pain that may occur post-operatively or following major trauma, as well as for the management of chronic cancer-related pain. Opioid-related adverse effects include nausea and vomiting, sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, tolerance, and addiction/abuse liability. Of these, respiratory depression is of the most concern to clinicians owing to the potential for fatal consequences. In the broader community, opioid overdose due to either prescription or illicit opioids or co-administration with central nervous system depressants may evoke respiratory depression. To address this problem, there is ongoing interest in the identification of non-opioid respiratory stimulants to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression but without reversing opioid analgesia. Promising compound classes evaluated to date include those that act on a diverse array of receptors including 5-hydroxytryptamine, D
1-dopamine, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, and nicotinic acetylcholine as well as phosphodiesterase inhibitors and molecules that act on potassium channels on oxygen-sensing cells in the carotid body. The aim of this article is to review recent advances in the development potential of these compounds for countering opioid-induced respiratory depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zafar Imam
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andy Kuo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Maree T Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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10
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Abstract
This paper is the fortieth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2017 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 (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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11
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Alijanpour S, Zarrindast MR. Potentiation of morphine-induced antinociception by harmaline: involvement of μ-opioid and ventral tegmental area NMDA receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:557-570. [PMID: 31740992 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05389-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONAL Morphine is one of the most well-known and potent analgesic agents; however, it can also induce various side effects. Thus, finding drugs and mechanisms which can potentiate the analgesic effects of low doses of morphine will be a good strategy for pain management. OBJECTIVE The involvement of μ-opioid receptors and ventral tegmental area (VTA) glutamatergic system in harmaline and morphine combination on the nociceptive response were investigated. Also, we examined reward efficacy and tolerance expression following the drugs. METHODS Animals were bilaterally cannulated in the VTA by stereotaxic instrument. A tail-flick (TF) apparatus and conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm were used to measure nociceptive response and rewarding effects in male NMRI mice respectively. RESULTS Morphine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect in TF test. Also, harmaline (1.25 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) could not change pain threshold. Combination of a non-effective dose of harmaline (5 mg/kg) and morphine (2 mg/kg) produced antinociception and also prevented morphine tolerance but had no effect on the acquisition of CPP. Systemic administration of naloxone (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and intra-VTA microinjection of NMDA (0.06 and 0.1 μg/mouse) before harmaline (5 mg/kg) plus morphine (2 mg/kg) prevented antinociception induced by the drugs. D-AP5 (0.5 and 1 μg/mouse, intra-VTA) potentiated the effect of low-dose harmaline (1.25 mg/kg) and morphine (2 mg/kg) and induced antinociception. Microinjection of the same doses of NMDA or D-AP5 into the VTA alone had no effect on pain threshold. CONCLUSION The findings showed that harmaline potentiated the analgesic effect of morphine and reduced morphine tolerance. Glutamatergic and μ-opioidergic system interactions in the VTA seem to have a modulatory role in harmaline plus morphine-induced analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, P. O. Box 163, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Martinez E, Zhou H, Wang J. Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31033946 DOI: 10.3791/58473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a salient sensory experience with affective and cognitive dimensions. However, central mechanisms for pain remain poorly understood, hindering the development of effective therapeutics. Intracranial pharmacology presents an important tool for understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pain in the brain, as well as for novel treatments. Here we present a protocol that integrates intracranial pharmacology with pain behavior testing. Specifically, we show how to infuse analgesic drugs into a select brain region, which may be responsible for pain modulation. Furthermore, to determine the effect of the candidate drug in the central nerve system, pain assays are performed after intracranial treatment. Our results demonstrate that intracranial administration of analgesic drugs in a targeted region can provide relief of pain in rodents. Thus, our protocol successfully demonstrates that intracranial pharmacology, combined with pain behavior testing, can be a powerful tool for the study of pain mechanisms in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Martinez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine
| | - Haocheng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University School of Medicine; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine;
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13
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Dai W, Gao X, Xiao D, Li YL, Zhou XB, Yong Z, Su RB. The Impact and Mechanism of a Novel Allosteric AMPA Receptor Modulator LCX001 on Protection Against Respiratory Depression in Rodents. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:105. [PMID: 30837875 PMCID: PMC6389625 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Analgesics and sedative hypnotics in clinical use often give rise to significant side effects, particularly respiratory depression. For emergency use, specific antagonists are currently administered to counteract respiratory depression. However, antagonists are often short-lasting and eliminate drug generated analgesia. To resolve this issue, novel positive AMPA modulators, LCX001, was tested to alleviate respiratory depression triggered by different drugs. The acetic acid writhing and hot-plate test were conducted to evaluate analgesic effect of LCX001. Binding assay, whole-cell recording, live cell imaging, and Ca2+ imaging were used to clarify mechanism and impact of LCX001 on respiratory protection. Results showed that LCX001 effectively rescued and prevented opioid (fentanyl and TH-030418), propofol, and pentobarbital-induced respiratory depression by strengthening respiratory frequency and minute ventilation. The acetic acid writhing test and hot-plate test revealed potent anti-nociceptive efficacy of LCX001, in contrast to other typical ampakines that did not affect analgesia. Furthermore, LCX001 potentiated [3H]AMPA and L-glutamate binding affinity to AMPA receptors, and facilitated glutamate-evoked inward currents in HEK293 cells stably expressing GluA2(R). LCX001 had a typical positive modulatory impact on AMPAR-mediated function. Importantly, application of LCX001 generated a significant increase in GluA2(R) surface expression, and restrained opioid-induced abnormal intracellular Ca2+ load, which might participate in breathing modulation. Our study improves therapeutic interventions for the treatment of drug induced respiratory depression, and increases understanding of potential mechanism of AMPA receptor modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Dian Xiao
- Laboratory of Computer-Aided Drug Design and Discovery, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Bo Zhou
- Laboratory of Computer-Aided Drug Design and Discovery, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Yong
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Rui-Bin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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14
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Ong WY, Stohler CS, Herr DR. Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Pain Processing. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1137-1166. [PMID: 29876878 PMCID: PMC6400876 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 347] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is not only important in executive functions, but also pain processing. The latter is dependent on its connections to other areas of the cerebral neocortex, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), thalamus, amygdala, and basal nuclei. Changes in neurotransmitters, gene expression, glial cells, and neuroinflammation occur in the PFC during acute and chronic pain, that result in alterations to its structure, activity, and connectivity. The medial PFC (mPFC) could serve dual, opposing roles in pain: (1) it mediates antinociceptive effects, due to its connections with other cortical areas, and as the main source of cortical afferents to the PAG for modulation of pain. This is a ‘loop’ where, on one side, a sensory stimulus is transformed into a perceptual signal through high brain processing activity, and perceptual activity is then utilized to control the flow of afferent sensory stimuli at their entrance (dorsal horn) to the CNS. (2) It could induce pain chronification via its corticostriatal projection, possibly depending on the level of dopamine receptor activation (or lack of) in the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens reward pathway. The PFC is involved in biopsychosocial pain management. This includes repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, antidepressants, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, music, exercise, partner support, empathy, meditation, and prayer. Studies demonstrate the role of the PFC during placebo analgesia, and in establishing links between pain and depression, anxiety, and loss of cognition. In particular, losses in PFC grey matter are often reversible after successful treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Ong
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
- Neurobiology and Ageing Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
| | | | - Deron R Herr
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
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