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Islam J, Rahman MT, Kc E, Park YS. Deciphering the functional role of insular cortex stratification in trigeminal neuropathic pain. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:76. [PMID: 38730344 PMCID: PMC11084050 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01784-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) is a major concern in both dentistry and medicine. The progression from normal to chronic TNP through activation of the insular cortex (IC) is thought to involve several neuroplastic changes in multiple brain regions, resulting in distorted pain perception and associated comorbidities. While the functional changes in the insula are recognized contributors to TNP, the intricate mechanisms underlying the involvement of the insula in TNP processing remain subjects of ongoing investigation. Here, we have overviewed the most recent advancements regarding the functional role of IC in regulating TNP alongside insights into the IC's connectivity with other brain regions implicated in trigeminal pain pathways. In addition, the review examines diverse modulation strategies that target the different parts of the IC, thereby suggesting novel diagnostic and therapeutic management of chronic TNP in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaisan Islam
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Md Taufiqur Rahman
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Elina Kc
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Young Seok Park
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.
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Ye Q, Li J, Ren WJ, Zhang Y, Wang T, Rubini P, Yin HY, Illes P, Tang Y. Astrocyte activation in hindlimb somatosensory cortex contributes to electroacupuncture analgesia in acid-induced pain. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1348038. [PMID: 38633538 PMCID: PMC11021577 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1348038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies have confirmed the direct relationship between extracellular acidification and the occurrence of pain. As an effective pain management approach, the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment of acidification-induced pain is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of EA in this type of pain and to explore the underlying mechanism(s). Methods We used plantar injection of the acidified phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 6.0) to trigger thermal hyperalgesia in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 6-8 weeks. The value of thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) was quantified after applying EA stimulation to the ST36 acupoint and/or chemogenetic control of astrocytes in the hindlimb somatosensory cortex. Results Both EA and chemogenetic astrocyte activation suppressed the acid-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat paw, whereas inhibition of astrocyte activation did not influence the hyperalgesia. At the same time, EA-induced analgesia was blocked by chemogenetic inhibition of astrocytes. Conclusion The present results suggest that EA-activated astrocytes in the hindlimb somatosensory cortex exert an analgesic effect on acid-induced pain, although these astrocytes might only moderately regulate acid-induced pain in the absence of EA. Our results imply a novel mode of action of astrocytes involved in EA analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ye
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen-Jing Ren
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Patrizia Rubini
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hai-Yan Yin
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rudolf Boehm Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Li HL, Zhang Y, Zhou JW. Acupuncture for radicular pain: a review of analgesic mechanism. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1332876. [PMID: 38596777 PMCID: PMC11002172 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1332876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Radicular pain, a common and complex form of neuropathic pain, presents significant challenges in treatment. Acupuncture, a therapy originating from ancient traditional Chinese medicine and widely utilized for various pain types, including radicular pain, has shown promising outcomes in the management of lumbar radicular pain, cervical radicular pain, and radicular pain due to spinal stenosis. Despite its efficacy, the exact mechanisms through which acupuncture achieves analgesia are not fully elucidated and are the subject of ongoing research. This review sheds light on the current understanding of the analgesic mechanisms of acupuncture for radicular pain, offering valuable perspectives for both clinical application and basic scientific research. Acupuncture is postulated to relieve radicular pain by several mechanisms: peripherally, it reduces muscle spasms, lessens mechanical pressure on nerve roots, and improves microcirculation; at the molecular level, it inhibits the HMGB1/RAGE and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines; within the spinal cord, it influences synaptic plasticity; and centrally, it modulates brain function, particularly affecting the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and thalamus within the default mode network. By acting across these diverse biological domains, acupuncture presents an effective treatment modality for radicular pain, and deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms regarding analgesia for radicular pain is crucial for enhancing its clinical efficacy and advancement in pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Lin Li
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian-Wei Zhou
- Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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4
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Mehsein Z, Kobaïter-Maarrawi S, Samaha H, El Shami M, Albeaini S, Maarrawi J. Right posterior insular epidural stimulation in rats with neuropathic pain induces a frequency-dependent and opioid system-mediated reduction of pain and its comorbid anxiety and depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 128:110845. [PMID: 37619765 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110845] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a sensory, emotional, and persistent disturbing experience caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system which can lead when chronic to comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. Available treatments (pharmacotherapy, neurostimulation) have partial and unpredictable response; therefore, it seems necessary to find a new therapeutical approach that could alleviate most related symptoms and improve patients 'emotional state'. Posterior Insula seems to be a potential target of neurostimulation for pain relief. However, its effects on pain-related anxiety and depression remain unknown. Using rats with spared nerve injury (SNI), this study aims to elucidate the correlation between NP and anxio-depressive disorders, evaluate potential analgesic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects of right posterior insula stimulation (IS) using low (LF-IS, 50 Hz) or high (HF-IS, 150 Hz) frequency and assess endogenous opioid involvement in these effects. Results showed positive correlation between NP, anxiety, and depression. LF-IS reversed anhedonia and despair-like behavior through pain alleviation, whereas HF-IS only reduced anhedonia, all effects involving endogenous opioids. These findings support the link between NP and anxio-depressive disorders. Moreover, IS appears to have analgesic, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects mediated by the endogenous opioid system, making it a promising target for neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Mehsein
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience (LAREN), Pôle Technologie Santé (PTS), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sandra Kobaïter-Maarrawi
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience (LAREN), Pôle Technologie Santé (PTS), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Hady Samaha
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience (LAREN), Pôle Technologie Santé (PTS), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad El Shami
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience (LAREN), Pôle Technologie Santé (PTS), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sylvana Albeaini
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience (LAREN), Pôle Technologie Santé (PTS), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joseph Maarrawi
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience (LAREN), Pôle Technologie Santé (PTS), Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Neurosurgery - Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
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5
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Labrakakis C. The Role of the Insular Cortex in Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065736. [PMID: 36982807 PMCID: PMC10056254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition from normal to chronic pain is believed to involve alterations in several brain areas that participate in the perception of pain. These plastic changes are then responsible for aberrant pain perception and comorbidities. The insular cortex is consistently found activated in pain studies of normal and chronic pain patients. Functional changes in the insula contribute to chronic pain; however, the complex mechanisms by which the insula is involved in pain perception under normal and pathological conditions are still not clear. In this review, an overview of the insular function is provided and findings on its role in pain from human studies are summarized. Recent progress on the role of the insula in pain from preclinical experimental models is reviewed, and the connectivity of the insula with other brain regions is examined to shed new light on the neuronal mechanisms of the insular cortex’s contribution to normal and pathological pain sensation. This review underlines the need for further studies on the mechanisms underlying the involvement of the insula in the chronicity of pain and the expression of comorbid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Labrakakis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Institute of Biosciences, University Research Center of Ioannina (URCI), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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6
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Nagasaka K, Takashima I, Matsuda K, Higo N. Pharmacological inactivation of the primate posterior insular/secondary somatosensory cortices attenuates thermal hyperalgesia. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:1723-1731. [PMID: 35762263 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously established a macaque model of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and confirmed the involvement of increased activity of the posterior insular cortex (PIC) and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) to somatosensory stimuli in mechanical allodynia by a combination of imaging techniques with local pharmacological inactivation. However, it is unclear whether the same intervention would be effective for thermal hyperalgesia. Therefore, using the macaque model, we examined behavioral responses to thermal stimuli following pharmacological inactivation of the PIC/SII. METHODS Two CPSP model macaques were established based on collagenase-induced unilateral hemorrhagic lesions in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus. To evaluate pain perception, withdrawal latencies to thermal stimuli of 37, 45, 50, 52, and 55 °C to hands were measured. Several weeks after the lesion induction, pharmacological inactivation of the PIC/SII by microinjection of muscimol was performed. The effect of inactivation on withdrawal latency was assessed by comparison with withdrawal latency after vehicle injection. RESULTS Several weeks after induction of the thalamic lesions, both macaques demonstrated a reduction in withdrawal latencies to thermal stimulation (<50 °C) on the contralesional hand, indicating the occurrence of thermal hyperalgesia. When the PIC/SII were inactivated by muscimol, the withdrawal latencies to thermal stimuli of 50 and 52 °C were significantly increased compared to those after vehicle injection. CONCLUSIONS Our data emphasize that increased activity in the PIC/SII after appearance of thalamic lesions can contribute to abnormal pain of multiple modalities, and the modulation of PIC/SII activity may be a therapeutic approach for thermal hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Nagasaka
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - I Takashima
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - K Matsuda
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - N Higo
- Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan
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Current Understanding of the Involvement of the Insular Cortex in Neuropathic Pain: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052648. [PMID: 33808020 PMCID: PMC7961886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is difficult to cure and is often accompanied by emotional and psychological changes. Exploring the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain will help to identify a better treatment for this condition. The insular cortex is an important information integration center. Numerous imaging studies have documented increased activity of the insular cortex in the presence of neuropathic pain; however, the specific role of this region remains controversial. Early studies suggested that the insular lobe is mainly involved in the processing of the emotional motivation dimension of pain. However, increasing evidence suggests that the role of the insular cortex is more complex and may even be related to the neural plasticity, cognitive evaluation, and psychosocial aspects of neuropathic pain. These effects contribute not only to the development of neuropathic pain, but also to its comorbidity with neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review, we summarize the changes that occur in the insular cortex in the presence of neuropathic pain and analgesia, as well as the molecular mechanisms that may underlie these conditions. We also discuss potential sex-based differences in these processes. Further exploration of the involvement of the insular lobe will contribute to the development of new pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments for neuropathic pain.
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8
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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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Song SY, Zhai XM, Dai JH, Lu LL, Shan CJ, Hong J, Cao JL, Zhang LC. The CSF-Contacting Nucleus Receives Anatomical Inputs From the Cerebral Cortex: A Combination of Retrograde Tracing and 3D Reconstruction Study in Rat. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:600555. [PMID: 33328908 PMCID: PMC7714914 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.600555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the direct monosynaptic projections from cortical functional regions to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus for understanding the functions of the CSF-contacting nucleus. Methods The Sprague-Dawley rats received cholera toxin B subunit (CB) injections into the CSF-contacting nucleus. After 7-10 days of survival time, the rats were perfused, and the whole brain and spinal cord were sliced under a freezing microtome at 40 μm. All sections were treated with the CB immunofluorescence reaction. The retrogradely labeled neurons in different cortical areas were revealed under a confocal microscope. The distribution features were further illustrated under 3D reconstruction. Results The retrogradely labeled neurons were identified in the olfactory, orbital, cingulate, insula, retrosplenial, somatosensory, motor, visual, auditory, association, rhinal, and parietal cortical areas. A total of 12 functional areas and 34 functional subregions showed projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus in different cell intensities. Conclusion According to the connectivity patterns, we conclude that the CSF-contacting nucleus participates in cognition, emotion, pain, visceral activity, etc. The present study firstly reveals the cerebral cortex→CSF-contacting nucleus connections, which implies the multiple functions of this special nucleus in neural and body fluid regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Zhai
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia-Hao Dai
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lei-Lei Lu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Jing Shan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia Hong
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Li-Cai Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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Gamal-Eltrabily M, Espinosa de Los Monteros-Zúñiga A, Manzano-García A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. The Rostral Agranular Insular Cortex, a New Site of Oxytocin to Induce Antinociception. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5669-5680. [PMID: 32571836 PMCID: PMC7363465 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0962-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The rostral agranular insular cortex (RAIC) is a relevant structure in nociception. Indeed, recruitment of GABAergic activity in RAIC promotes the disinhibition of the locus ceruleus, which in turn inhibits (by noradrenergic action) the peripheral nociceptive input at the spinal cord level. In this regard, at the cortical level, oxytocin can modulate the GABAergic transmission; consequently, an interaction modulating nociception could exist between oxytocin and GABA at RAIC. Here, we tested in male Wistar rats the effect of oxytocin microinjection into RAIC during an inflammatory (by subcutaneous peripheral injection of formalin) nociceptive input. Oxytocin microinjection produces a diminution of (1) flinches induced by formalin and (2) spontaneous firing of spinal wide dynamic range cells. The above antinociceptive effect was abolished by microinjection (at RAIC) of the following: (1) L-368899 (an oxytocin receptor [OTR] antagonist) or by (2) bicuculline (a preferent GABAA receptor blocker), suggesting a GABAergic activation induced by OTR. Since intrathecal injection of an α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist (BRL 44408) partially reversed the oxytocin effect, a descending noradrenergic antinociception is suggested. Further, injection of L-368899 per se induces a pronociceptive behavioral effect, suggesting a tonic endogenous oxytocin release during inflammatory nociceptive input. Accordingly, we found bilateral projections from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) to RAIC. Some of the PVN-projecting cells are oxytocinergic and destinate GABAergic and OTR-expressing cells inside RAIC. Aside from the direct anatomic link between PVN and RAIC, our findings provide evidence about the role of oxytocinergic mechanisms modulating the pain process at the RAIC level.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in several functions ranging from lactation to social attachment. Over the years, the role of this molecule in pain processing has emerged, showing that, at the spinal level, oxytocin blocks pain transmission. The present work suggests that oxytocin also modulates pain at the cortical insular level by favoring cortical GABAergic transmission and activating descending spinal noradrenergic mechanisms. Indeed, we show that the paraventricular hypothalamicnucleus sends direct oxytocinergic projections to the rostral agranular insular cortex on GABAergic and oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons. Together, our data support the notion that the oxytocinergic system could act as an orchestrator of pain modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Gamal-Eltrabily
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | | | - Alfredo Manzano-García
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
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11
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Imbe H, Kimura A. Significance of medial preoptic area among the subcortical and cortical areas that are related to pain regulation in the rats with stress-induced hyperalgesia. Brain Res 2020; 1735:146758. [PMID: 32135148 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Psychophysical stresses frequently increase sensitivity and response to pain, which is termed stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH). However, the mechanism remains unknown. The subcortical areas such as medial preoptic area (MPO), dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (DMH), basolateral (BLA) and central nuclei of the amygdala (CeA), and the cortical areas such as insular (IC) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) play an important role in pain control via the descending pain modulatory system. In the present study we examined the expression of phosphorylated -cAMP-response element binding protein (pCREB) and the acetylation of histone H3 in these subcortical and cortical areas after repeated restraint stress to reveal changes in the subcortical and cortical areas that affect the function of descending pain modulatory system in the rats with SIH. The repeated restraint stress for 3 weeks induced a decrease in mechanical threshold in the rat hindpaw, an increase in the expression of pCREB in the MPO and an increase in the acetylation of histone H3 in the MPO, BLA and IC. The MPO was the only area that showed an increase in both the expression of pCREB and the acetylation of histone H3 among these examined areas after the repeated restraint stress. Furthermore, the number of pCREB-IR or acetylated histone H3-IR cells in the MPO was negatively correlated with the mechanical threshold. Together, our data represent the importance of the MPO among the subcortical and cortical areas that control descending pain modulatory system under the condition of SIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Imbe
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan.
| | - Akihisa Kimura
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
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12
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Kim K, Choi S, Cha M, Lee BH. Effects of mTOR inhibitors on neuropathic pain revealed by optical imaging of the insular cortex in rats. Brain Res 2020; 1733:146720. [PMID: 32061737 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the pain matrix, the insular cortex (IC) is mainly involved in discriminative sensory and motivative emotion. Abnormal signal transmission from injury site causes neuropathic pain, which generates enhanced synaptic plasticity. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex is the key regulator of protein synthesis; it is involved in the modulation of synaptic plasticity. To date, there has been no report on the changes in optical signals in the IC under neuropathic condition after treatment with mTOR inhibitors, such as Torin1 and XL388. Therefore, we aimed to determine the pain-relieving effect of mTOR inhibitors (Torin1 and XL388) and observe the changes in optical signals in the IC after treatment. Mechanical threshold was measured in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats after neuropathic surgery, and therapeutic effect of inhibitors was assessed on post-operative day 7 following the microinjection of Torin1 or XL388 into the IC. Optical signals were acquired to observe the neuronal activity of the IC in response to peripheral stimulation before and after treatment with mTOR inhibitors. Consequently, the inhibitors showed the most effective alleviation 4 h after microinjection into the IC. In optical imaging, peak amplitudes of optical signals and areas of activated regions were reduced after treatment with Torin1 and XL388. However, there were no significant optical signal changes in the IC before and after vehicle application. These findings suggested that Torin1 and XL388 are associated with the alleviation of neuronal activity that is excessively manifested in the IC, and is assumed to diminish synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeongmin Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Songyeon Choi
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeounghoon Cha
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Bae Hwan Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Li Q, Mathena RP, Eregha ON, Mintz CD. Effects of Early Exposure of Isoflurane on Chronic Pain via the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signal Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205102. [PMID: 31618823 PMCID: PMC6834214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is a chronic pain condition, often with neuropathic features, that occurs in approximately 20% of children who undergo surgery. The biological basis of PPSP has not been elucidated. Anesthetic drugs can have lasting effects on the developing nervous system, although the clinical impact of this phenomenon is unknown. Here, we used a mouse model to test the hypothesis that early developmental exposure to isoflurane causes cellular and molecular alteration in the pain perception circuitry that causes a predisposition to chronic, neuropathic pain via a pathologic upregulation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Mice were exposed to isoflurane at postnatal day 7 and select cohorts were treated with rapamycin, an mTOR pathway inhibitor. Behavioral tests conducted 2 months later showed increased evidence of neuropathic pain, which did not occur in rapamycin-treated animals. Immunohistochemistry showed neuronal activity was chronically increased in the insular cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and spinal dorsal horn, and activity was attenuated by rapamycin. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting (WB) showed a co-incident chronic, abnormal upregulation in mTOR activity. We conclude that early isoflurane exposure alters the development of pain circuits and has the potential to contribute to PPSP and/or other pain syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Reilley Paige Mathena
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - O'Rukevwe Nicole Eregha
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - C David Mintz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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14
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Bai Y, Ma LT, Chen YB, Ren D, Chen YB, Li YQ, Sun HK, Qiu XT, Zhang T, Zhang MM, Yi XN, Chen T, Li H, Fan BY, Li YQ. Anterior insular cortex mediates hyperalgesia induced by chronic pancreatitis in rats. Mol Brain 2019; 12:76. [PMID: 31484535 PMCID: PMC6727343 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0497-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Central sensitization plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of chronic pain induced by chronic pancreatitis (CP), but cortical modulation of painful CP remains elusive. This study was designed to examine the role of anterior insular cortex (aIC) in the pathogenesis of hyperalgesia in a rat model of CP. CP was induced by intraductal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Abdomen hyperalgesia and anxiety were assessed by von Frey filament and open field tests, respectively. Two weeks after surgery, the activation of aIC was indicated by FOS immunohistochemical staining and electrophysiological recordings. Expressions of VGluT1, NMDAR subunit NR2B and AMPAR subunit GluR1 were analyzed by immunoblottings. The regulatory roles of aIC in hyperalgesia and pain-related anxiety were detected via pharmacological approach and chemogenetics in CP rats. Our results showed that TNBS treatment resulted in long-term hyperalgesia and anxiety-like behavior in rats. CP rats exhibited increased FOS expression and potentiated excitatory synaptic transmission within aIC. CP rats also showed up-regulated expression of VGluT1, and increased membrane trafficking and phosphorylation of NR2B and GluR1 within aIC. Blocking excitatory synaptic transmission significantly attenuated abdomen mechanical hyperalgesia. Specifically inhibiting the excitability of insular pyramidal cells reduced both abdomen hyperalgesia and pain-related anxiety. In conclusion, our findings emphasize a key role for aIC in hyperalgesia and anxiety of painful CP, providing a novel insight into cortical modulation of painful CP and shedding light on aIC as a potential target for neuromodulation interventions in the treatment of CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Bai
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Li-Tian Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yan-Bing Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Dan Ren
- Department of Anatomy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Ying-Biao Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, 350101, China
| | - Ying-Qi Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Hong-Ke Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Xin-Tong Qiu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ming-Ming Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xi-Nan Yi
- Joint Laboratory of Neuroscience at Hainan Medical University and Fourth Military Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Bo-Yuan Fan
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169, West Chang-le Road, Xi'an, 710032, China. .,Joint Laboratory of Neuroscience at Hainan Medical University and Fourth Military Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
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15
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Effects of Ethanol Exposure and Withdrawal on Neuronal Morphology in the Agranular Insular and Prelimbic Cortices: Relationship with Withdrawal-Related Structural Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9080180. [PMID: 31357611 PMCID: PMC6721441 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9080180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure and withdrawal on dendritic morphology and spine density in the agranular insular and prelimbic cortices. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were passively exposed to vaporized ethanol (~37 mg/L; 12 h/day) or air (control) for ten consecutive days. Dendritic length, branching, and spine density were quantified in layer II/III pyramidal neurons 24 hours or seven days following the final ethanol exposure. Compared to unexposed control animals there were structural alterations on neurons in the prelimbic cortex, and to a lesser extent the agranular insular cortex. The most prominent ethanol-related differences were the transient increases in dendritic length and branching in prelimbic neurons at 24 h post-cessation, and increased mushroom-shaped spines at seven days post-cessation. The results obtained in the prelimbic cortex are the opposite of those previously reported in the nucleus accumbens core (Peterson, et al. 2015), suggesting that these regions undergo distinct functional adaptations following ethanol exposure and withdrawal.
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16
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Microinjection of histamine and its H 3 receptor agonist and antagonist into the agranular insular cortex influence sensory and affective components of neuropathic pain in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 857:172450. [PMID: 31202805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Many areas of the brain along with neurotransmitters involve in processing of nociceptive, emotional and cognitive dimensions of neuropathic pain. Brian neuronal histamine through H1, H2, H3 and H4 receptors mediates many physiological functions such as cognition, emotion and pain. In the present study we investigated the effects of intra-agranular insular cortex microinjection of histamine and its H3 receptor agonist and antagonist on sensory and affective aspects of neuropathic pain. Spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain was used. Two guide cannulas were surgically implanted in the right and left sides of agranular insular cortex. Sensory component (mechanical hyperalgesia) was recorded by application of von Frey filaments onto the plantar surface of the hind paw. Area under curve of mechanical hyperalgesia was calculated. Affective aspect (place escape avoidance paradigm) was recorded using an inverse white/black chamber. Histamine (0.5, 1 and 2 μg/site) and thioperamide (a histamine H3 receptor antagonist, 4 μg/site) decreased, whereas immepip (a histamine H3 receptor agonist, 2 μg/site) increased the percentages of paw withdrawal frequency and time spent in white side of white/black box. Prior administration of thioperamide (4 μg/site) increased the suppressive effects induced by histamine and inhibited immepip (2 μg/site)-induced hyperalgesia and aversion. Based on the present results, it is concluded that histamine and its H3 receptor at the agranular insular cortex level may involve in modulation of sensory and affective components of neuropathic pain.
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Electrical stimulation of the insular cortex as a novel target for the relief of refractory pain: An experimental approach in rodents. Behav Brain Res 2018; 346:86-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Jee Kim M, Tanioka M, Woo Um S, Hong SK, Hwan Lee B. Analgesic effects of FAAH inhibitor in the insular cortex of nerve-injured rats. Mol Pain 2018; 14:1744806918814345. [PMID: 30380982 PMCID: PMC6247483 DOI: 10.1177/1744806918814345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The insular cortex is an important region of brain involved in the processing of pain and emotion. Recent studies indicate that lesions in the insular cortex induce pain asymbolia and reverse neuropathic pain. Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), which have been shown to attenuate pain, are simultaneously degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) that halts the mechanisms of action. Selective inhibitor URB597 suppresses FAAH activity by conserving endocannabinoids, which reduces pain. The present study examined the analgesic effects of URB597 treatment in the insular cortex of an animal model of neuropathic pain. Under pentobarbital anesthesia, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to nerve injury and cannula implantation. On postoperative day 14, rodents received microinjection of URB597 into the insular cortex. In order to verify the analgesic mechanisms of URB597, cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist AM251, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) antagonist GW6471, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist Iodoresiniferatoxin (I-RTX) were microinjected 15 min prior to URB597 injection. Changes in mechanical allodynia were measured using the von-Frey test. Expressions of CB1R, N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), and TRPV1 significantly increased in the neuropathic pain group compared to the sham-operated control group. Mechanical threshold and expression of NAPE-PLD significantly increased in groups treated with 2 nM and 4 nM URB597 compared with the vehicle-injected group. Blockages of CB1R and PPAR alpha diminished the analgesic effects of URB597. Inhibition of TRPV1 did not effectively reduce the effects of URB597 but attenuated expression of NAPE-PLD compared with the URB597-injected group. In addition, optical imaging demonstrated that neuronal activity of the insular cortex was reduced following URB597 treatment. Our results suggest that microinjection of FAAH inhibitor into the insular cortex causes analgesic effects by decreasing neural excitability and increasing signals related to the endogenous cannabinoid pathway in the insular cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jee Kim
- Department of Physiology and Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Motomasa Tanioka
- Department of Physiology and Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Woo Um
- Department of Physiology and Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Karp Hong
- Division of Bio and Health Sciences, Mokwon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bae Hwan Lee
- Department of Physiology and Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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19
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Abstract
Neuroimaging studies of patients with chronic pain have shown that neurotransmitter abnormalities, including increases in glutamate and decreases in GABA, could be responsible for the cortical hyperactivity and hyperalgesia/allodynia observed in some pain conditions. These finding are particularly evident in the insula, a brain region known to play a role in both the sensory-discriminative and the affective-motivational aspects of pain processing. However, clinical studies are not entirely able to determine the directionality of these findings, nor whether they are causal or epiphenomenon. Thus, a set of animal studies was performed to determine whether alterations in glutamate and GABA are the result of injury, the cause of augmented pain processing, or both. Compared with controls, the excitatory neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate are significantly higher in the rat insula after chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (CCI). The CCI also produced significant increases in allodynia (mechanical and cold), thermal hyperalgesia, and nociceptive aversiveness. Unilateral microinjection of ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists restored these nociceptive behaviors to preinjury values. Increasing endogenous levels of GABA or enhancing signaling at inhibitory glycinergic receptors had similar effects as the glutamate receptor antagonists. In naive rats, increasing endogenous levels of glutamate, decreasing endogenous levels of GABA, or blocking strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors in the insula significantly increased thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. These data support the hypothesis that an altered balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in brain regions such as the insula occurs in chronic pain states and leads to augmented central pain processing and increased pain sensitivity.
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20
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Coffeen U, Canseco-Alba A, Simón-Arceo K, Almanza A, Mercado F, León-Olea M, Pellicer F. Salvinorin A reduces neuropathic nociception in the insular cortex of the rat. Eur J Pain 2017; 22:311-318. [PMID: 28975684 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain is one of the most important challenges in public health. The search for novel treatments is important for an adequate relief without adverse effects. In this sense salvinorin A (SA), the main diterpene of the medicinal plant Salvia divinorum is an important antinociceptive compound, which acts as a potent agonist of kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and cannabinoid CB1 receptors. METHODS We evaluated nociceptive responses in a neuropathic pain model induced by the sciatic nerve ligature (SNL) in the right hind paw, after the microinjection of SA, Salvinorin B (SB), KOR and CB1 antagonists directly in the insular cortex (IC) in male wistar rats. RESULTS We found a potent antinociceptive effect with the administration of SA. Moreover, this effect was blocked by the administration of a KOR antagonist as well as the administration of a CB1 antagonist. CONCLUSION Salvinorin A has a potent antinociceptive effect when is administered centrally in the IC by the interaction with KOR and CB1 receptors. SIGNIFICANCE We show evidence on the effectiveness of the administration of salvinorin A in the IC in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. These results support the use of novel compounds like SA as a therapeutic alternative for neuropathic pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Coffeen
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
| | - A Canseco-Alba
- Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, USA
| | - K Simón-Arceo
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
| | - A Almanza
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Celular, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
| | - F Mercado
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Celular, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
| | - M León-Olea
- Departamento de Neuromorfología Funcional, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
| | - F Pellicer
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
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21
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Imbe H, Kimura A. Attenuation of pCREB and Egr1 expression in the insular and anterior cingulate cortices associated with enhancement of CFA-evoked mechanical hypersensitivity after repeated forced swim stress. Brain Res Bull 2017; 134:253-261. [PMID: 28866293 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The perception and response to pain are severely impacted by exposure to stressors. In some animal models, stress increases pain sensitivity, which is termed stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH). The insular cortex (IC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which are typically activated by noxious stimuli, affect pain perception through the descending pain modulatory system. In the present study, we examined the expression of phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and early growth response 1 (Egr1) in the IC and ACC at 3h (the acute phase of peripheral tissue inflammation) after complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection in naïve rats and rats preconditioned with forced swim stress (FS) to clarify the effect of FS, a stressor, on cortical cell activities in the rats showing SIH induced by FS. The CFA injection into the hindpaw induced mechanical hypersensitivity and increased the expression of the pCREB and Egr1 in the IC and ACC at 3h after the injection. FS (day 1, 10min; days 2-3, 20min) prior to the CFA injection enhanced the CFA-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and attenuated the increase in the expression of pCREB and Egr1 in the IC and ACC. These findings suggested that FS modulates the CFA injection-induced neuroplasticity in the IC and ACC to enhance the mechanical hypersensitivity. These findings are thought to signify stressor-induced dysfunction of the descending pain modulatory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Imbe
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City, 641-8509, Japan.
| | - Akihisa Kimura
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City, 641-8509, Japan
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22
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Reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density after a sustained increase in insular glutamate: a proof-of-concept study examining the pathogenesis of small fiber pathology in fibromyalgia. Pain Rep 2017; 2:e590. [PMID: 29392206 PMCID: PMC5741296 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained insular administration of a glutamate uptake inhibitor produced a decrease in peripheral nerve fibers and a persistent increase in pain behaviors in rat. Introduction: Neuroimaging reveals increased glutamate within the insula of patients with fibromyalgia (FM), suggesting a link between FM symptoms and increased central excitatory neurotransmission. Many patients with FM also present with decreased intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), consistent with small fiber pathology. It remains unknown, however, whether either of these mechanistic findings represent a cause or a consequence of the other. This study tests the hypothesis that an excitatory imbalance within the insula leads to small fiber pathology. Objectives: This is a proof-of-concept study to examine whether a chronic, bilateral increase in insular glutamate can be a causal factor in the development of small fiber neuropathy in FM. Methods: The glutamate transport inhibitor l-trans-Pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (PDC), which increases endogenous levels of glutamate, was dissolved in Ringer solution and bilaterally delivered into the insula of rats for 6 weeks. Naive rats that did not undergo any surgery or treatment and rats administered Ringer vehicle solution into the insula served as controls. Multimodal nociceptive sensitivity was assessed weekly. Hind paw tissue biopsies were collected for IENFD assessment, at the end of the experiment. Results: Compared with controls, increasing endogenous glutamate in the insula with PDC caused sustained decreases in mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and thermal paw withdrawal latency, increased aversion to noxious mechanical stimulation, and a decrease in IENFD. Cold reactivity was not altered by PDC administration. Conclusion: Bilateral insular PDC administration produced a persistent increase in multimodal pain behaviors and a decrease in peripheral nerve fibers in rat. These preclinical findings offer preliminary support that insular hyperactivity may be a casual factor in the development of small fiber pathology in FM.
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Boadas-Vaello P, Homs J, Reina F, Carrera A, Verdú E. Neuroplasticity of Supraspinal Structures Associated with Pathological Pain. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 300:1481-1501. [PMID: 28263454 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries, along with other painful syndromes such as fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapeutic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and/or irritable bowel syndrome, cause several neuroplasticity changes in the nervous system along its entire axis affecting the different neuronal nuclei. This paper reviews these changes, focusing on the supraspinal structures that are involved in the modulation and processing of pain, including the periaqueductal gray matter, red nucleus, locus coeruleus, rostral ventromedial medulla, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, habenula, primary, and secondary somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, mammillary bodies, hippocampus, septum, amygdala, cingulated, and prefrontal cortex. Hyperexcitability caused by the modification of postsynaptic receptor expression, central sensitization, and potentiation of presynaptic delivery of neurotransmitters, as well as the reduction of inhibitory inputs, changes in dendritic spine, neural circuit remodeling, alteration of gray matter, and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines) by reactivation of astrocytes and microglial cells are the main functional, structural, and molecular neuroplasticity changes observed in the above supraspinal structures, associated with pathological pain. Studying these changes in greater depth may lead to the implementation and improvement of new therapeutic strategies against pathological pain. Anat Rec, 300:1481-1501, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Boadas-Vaello
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
| | - Judit Homs
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain.,Department of Physical Therapy EUSES-Universitat of Girona, Salt (Girona), Catalonia, 17190, Spain
| | - Francisco Reina
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
| | - Ana Carrera
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
| | - Enrique Verdú
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience (NEOMA), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Catalonia, 17003, Spain
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24
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Kwon M, Han J, Kim UJ, Cha M, Um SW, Bai SJ, Hong SK, Lee BH. Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling in the Insular Cortex Alleviates Neuropathic Pain after Peripheral Nerve Injury. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:79. [PMID: 28377693 PMCID: PMC5359287 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Injury of peripheral nerves can trigger neuropathic pain, producing allodynia and hyperalgesia via peripheral and central sensitization. Recent studies have focused on the role of the insular cortex (IC) in neuropathic pain. Because the IC is thought to store pain-related memories, translational regulation in this structure may reveal novel targets for controlling chronic pain. Signaling via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which is known to control mRNA translation and influence synaptic plasticity, has been studied at the spinal level in neuropathic pain, but its role in the IC under these conditions remains elusive. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the role of mTOR signaling in neuropathic pain and to assess the potential therapeutic effects of rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1, in the IC of rats with neuropathic pain. Mechanical allodynia was assessed in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats after neuropathic surgery and following microinjections of rapamycin into the IC on postoperative days (PODs) 3 and 7. Optical recording was conducted to observe the neural responses of the IC to peripheral stimulation. Rapamycin reduced mechanical allodynia and downregulated the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), decreased neural excitability in the IC, thereby inhibiting neuropathic pain-induced synaptic plasticity. These findings suggest that mTOR signaling in the IC may be a critical molecular mechanism modulating neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjee Kwon
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Jeongsoo Han
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Un Jeng Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myeounghoon Cha
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Woo Um
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Joon Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seong-Karp Hong
- Division of Bio and Health Sciences, Mokwon University Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Bae Hwan Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea; Brain Research Institute and Epilepsy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
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Sagalajev B, Viisanen H, Wei H, Pertovaara A. Descending antinociception induced by secondary somatosensory cortex stimulation in experimental neuropathy: role of the medullospinal serotonergic pathway. J Neurophysiol 2017; 117:1200-1214. [PMID: 28053243 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00836.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimulation of the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) has attenuated pain in humans and inflammatory nociception in animals. Here we studied S2 stimulation-induced antinociception and its underlying mechanisms in an experimental animal model of neuropathy induced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Effect of S2 stimulation on heat-evoked limb withdrawal latency was assessed in lightly anesthetized rats that were divided into three groups based on prior surgery and monofilament testing before induction of anesthesia: 1) sham-operated group and 2) hypersensitive and 3) nonhypersensitive (mechanically) SNL groups. In a group of hypersensitive SNL animals, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist was microinjected into the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) to assess whether autoinhibition of serotonergic cell bodies blocks antinociception. Additionally, effect of S2 stimulation on pronociceptive ON-cells and antinociceptive OFF-cells in the RVM or nociceptive spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons were assessed in anesthetized hypersensitive SNL animals. S2 stimulation induced antinociception in hypersensitive but not in nonhypersensitive SNL or sham-operated animals. Antinociception was prevented by a 5-HT1A receptor agonist in the RVM. Antinociception was associated with decreased duration of heat-evoked response in RVM ON-cells. In spinal WDR neurons, heat-evoked discharge was delayed by S2 stimulation, and this antinociceptive effect was prevented by blocking spinal 5-HT1A receptors. The results indicate that S2 stimulation suppresses nociception in SNL animals if SNL is associated with tactile allodynia-like hypersensitivity. In hypersensitive SNL animals, S2 stimulation induces antinociception mediated by medullospinal serotonergic pathways acting on the spinal 5-HT1A receptor, and partly through reduction of the RVM ON-cell discharge.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Stimulation of S2 cortex, but not that of an adjacent cortical area, induced descending heat antinociception in rats with the spinal nerve ligation-induced model of neuropathy. Antinociception was bilateral, and it involved suppression of pronociceptive medullary cells and activation of serotonergic pathways that act on the spinal 5-HT1A receptor. S2 stimulation failed to induce descending antinociceptive effect in sham-operated controls or in nerve-ligated animals that had not developed mechanical hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boriss Sagalajev
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Viisanen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hong Wei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Pertovaara
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Zhang PA, Xu QY, Xue L, Zheng H, Yan J, Xiao Y, Xu GY. Neonatal Maternal Deprivation Enhances Presynaptic P2X7 Receptor Transmission in Insular Cortex in an Adult Rat Model of Visceral Hypersensitivity. CNS Neurosci Ther 2016; 23:145-154. [PMID: 27976523 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Insular cortex (IC) is involved in processing the information of pain. The aim of this study was to investigate roles and mechanisms of P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) in IC in development of visceral hypersensitivity of adult rats with neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD). METHODS Visceral hypersensitivity was quantified by abdominal withdrawal reflex threshold to colorectal distension (CRD). Expression of P2X7Rs was determined by qPCR and Western blot. Synaptic transmission in IC was recorded by patch-clamp recording. RESULTS The expression of P2X7Rs and glutamatergic neurotransmission in IC was significantly increased in NMD rats when compared with age-matched controls. Application of BzATP (P2X7R agonist) enhanced the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSC) in IC slices of control rats. Application of BBG (P2X7R antagonist) suppressed the frequencies of sEPSC and mEPSC in IC slices of NMD rats. Microinjection of BzATP into right IC significantly decreased CRD threshold in control rats while microinjection of BBG or A438079 into right IC greatly increased CRD threshold in NMD rats. CONCLUSION Data suggested that the enhanced activities of P2X7Rs in IC, likely through a presynaptic mechanism, contributed to visceral hypersensitivity of adult rats with NMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-An Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, Laboratory of Translational Pain Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qi-Ya Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, Laboratory of Translational Pain Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lu Xue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, Laboratory of Translational Pain Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, Laboratory of Translational Pain Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Yan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, Laboratory of Translational Pain Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Chengdu Radio and TV University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guang-Yin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, Laboratory of Translational Pain Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Opioid subtype- and cell-type-dependent regulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rat insular cortex. Neuroscience 2016; 339:478-490. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Rostral Agranular Insular Cortex Lesion with Motor Cortex Stimulation Enhances Pain Modulation Effect on Neuropathic Pain Model. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:3898924. [PMID: 27833762 PMCID: PMC5090091 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3898924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the insular cortex is involved in the processing of painful input. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pain modulation role of the insular cortex during motor cortex stimulation (MCS). After inducing neuropathic pain (NP) rat models by the spared nerve injury method, we made a lesion on the rostral agranular insular cortex (RAIC) unilaterally and compared behaviorally determined pain threshold and latency in 2 groups: Group A (NP + MCS; n = 7) and Group B (NP + RAIC lesion + MCS; n = 7). Also, we simultaneously recorded neuronal activity (NP; n = 9) in the thalamus of the ventral posterolateral nucleus and RAIC to evaluate electrophysiological changes from MCS. The pain threshold and tolerance latency increased in Group A with “MCS on” and in Group B with or without “MCS on.” Moreover, its increase in Group B with “MCS on” was more than that of Group B without MCS or of Group A, suggesting that MCS and RAIC lesioning are involved in pain modulation. Compared with the “MCS off” condition, the “MCS on” induced significant threshold changes in an electrophysiological study. Our data suggest that the RAIC has its own pain modulation effect, which is influenced by MCS.
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Han J, Cha M, Kwon M, Hong SK, Bai SJ, Lee BH. In vivo voltage-sensitive dye imaging of the insular cortex in nerve-injured rats. Neurosci Lett 2016; 634:146-152. [PMID: 27737808 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) is a pain-related brain region that receives various types of sensory input and processes the emotional aspects of pain. The present study was conducted to investigate spatiotemporal patterns related to neuroplastic changes in the IC after nerve injury using voltage-sensitive dye imaging. The tibial and sural nerves of rats were injured under pentobarbital anesthesia. To observe optical signals in the IC, rats were re-anesthetized with urethane 7days after injury, and a craniectomy was performed to allow for optical imaging. Optical signals of the IC were elicited by peripheral electrical stimulation. Neuropathic rats showed a significantly higher optical intensity following 5.0mA electrical stimulation compared to sham-injured rats. A larger area of activation was observed by 1.25 and 2.5mA electrical stimulation compared to sham-injured rats. The activated areas tended to be larger, and the peak amplitudes of optical signals increased with increasing stimulation intensity in both groups. These results suggest that the elevated responsiveness of the IC to peripheral stimulation is related to neuropathic pain, and that neuroplastic changes are likely to be involved in the IC after nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongsoo Han
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeounghoon Cha
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjee Kwon
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Karp Hong
- Division of Bio and Health Sciences, Mokwon University, Daejeon 35349, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Joon Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Bae Hwan Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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30
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Zhuo M. Contribution of synaptic plasticity in the insular cortex to chronic pain. Neuroscience 2016; 338:220-229. [PMID: 27530697 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Animal and human studies have consistently demonstrated that cortical regions are important for pain perception and pain-related emotional changes. Studies of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have shown that adult cortical synapses can be modified after peripheral injuries, and long-term changes at synaptic level may contribute to long-lasting suffering in patients. It also explains why chronic pain is resistant to conventional analgesics that act by inhibiting synaptic transmission. Insular cortex (IC), another critical cortical area, is found to be highly plastic and can undergo long-term potentiation (LTP) after injury. Inhibiting IC LTP reduces behavioral sensitization caused by injury. LTP of glutamatergic transmission in pain related cortical areas serves as a key mechanism for chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhuo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Center for Neuron and Disease, Frontier Institutes of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China; Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
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31
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GABA acting on GABAB receptors located in a medullary pain facilitatory area enhances nociceptive behaviors evoked by intraplantar formalin injection. Pain 2016; 156:1555-1565. [PMID: 25932688 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt) plays a key role in facilitation of nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord. In this study, we evaluated the mechanisms involved in GABA-mediated control of the DRt focusing on the role of local GABAB receptors. First, we used in vivo microdialysis to study the release of GABA in the DRt during the course of the formalin test. An increase of GABA levels in comparison with baseline values was detected in the second phase of the test. Because we previously showed that GABAB receptors are expressed by opioidergic DRt neurons, which respond to nociceptive stimuli and inhibit spinally projecting DRt neurons involved in descending pronociception, we then interfered with local GABAB receptors using gene transfer and pharmacological approaches. Lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GABAB1a expression decreased nociceptive responses during the second phase of the test. Local administration of the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 35348 also decreased nociceptive responses in the second phase of the test, whereas the opposite was detected after injection of the GABAB agonist baclofen. Finally, we determined the GABAergic afferents of the DRt, namely those arising from its main brain afferents, which are located at the telencephalon and diencephalon. For that purpose, we combined retrograde tract-tracing from the DRt with immunodetection of glutamate decarboxylase, the GABA-synthesizing enzyme. The higher numbers of retrogradely labelled glutamate decarboxylase-immunoreactive neurons were located at insular, somatosensory, and motor cortices. Collectively, the results suggest that GABA acting on GABAB receptors may enhance pain facilitation from the DRt during inflammatory pain.
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Insular Cortex is Critical for the Perception, Modulation, and Chronification of Pain. Neurosci Bull 2016; 32:191-201. [PMID: 26898298 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-016-0016-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing body of neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies of the brain suggest that the insular cortex (IC) integrates multimodal salient information ranging from sensation to cognitive-affective events to create conscious interoception. Especially with regard to pain experience, the IC has been supposed to participate in both sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational aspects of pain. In this review, we discuss the latest data proposing that subregions of the IC are involved in isolated pain networks: the posterior sensory circuit and the anterior emotional network. Due to abundant connections with other brain areas, the IC is likely to serve as an interface where cross-modal shaping of pain occurs. In chronic pain, however, this mode of emotional awareness and the modulation of pain are disrupted. We highlight some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes of the pain modulation system that contribute to the transition from acute to chronic pain in the IC.
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Wang J, Li ZH, Feng B, Zhang T, Zhang H, Li H, Chen T, Cui J, Zang WD, Li YQ. Corticotrigeminal Projections from the Insular Cortex to the Trigeminal Caudal Subnucleus Regulate Orofacial Pain after Nerve Injury via Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Activation in Insular Cortex Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:493. [PMID: 26733817 PMCID: PMC4689789 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical neuroplasticity alterations are implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic orofacial pain. However, the relationship between critical cortex excitability and orofacial pain maintenance has not been fully elucidated. We recently demonstrated a top-down corticospinal descending pain modulation pathway from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to the spinal dorsal horn that could directly regulate nociceptive transmission. Thus, we aimed to investigate possible corticotrigeminal connections that directly influence orofacial nociception in rats. Infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury (IoN-CCI) induced significant orofacial nociceptive behaviors as well as pain-related negative emotions such as anxiety/depression in rats. By combining retrograde and anterograde tract tracing, we found powerful evidence that the trigeminal caudal subnucleus (Vc), especially the superficial laminae (I/II), received direct descending projections from granular and dysgranular parts of the insular cortex (IC). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), an important signaling molecule involved in neuroplasticity, was significantly activated in the IC following IoN-CCI. Moreover, in IC slices from IoN-CCI rats, U0126, an inhibitor of ERK activation, decreased both the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and reduced the paired-pulse ratio (PPR) of Vc-projecting neurons. Additionally, U0126 also reduced the number of action potentials in the Vc-projecting neurons. Finally, intra-IC infusion of U0126 obviously decreased Fos expression in the Vc, accompanied by the alleviation of both nociceptive behavior and negative emotions. Thus, the corticotrigeminal descending pathway from the IC to the Vc could directly regulate orofacial pain, and ERK deactivation in the IC could effectively alleviate neuropathic pain as well as pain-related negative emotions in IoN-CCI rats, probably through this top–down pathway. These findings may help researchers and clinicians to better understand the underlying modulation mechanisms of orofacial neuropathic pain and indicate a novel mechanism of ERK inhibitor-induced analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Li
- Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ban Feng
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Cui
- Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zang
- Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'an, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
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Ferrier J, Bayet-Robert M, Dalmann R, El Guerrab A, Aissouni Y, Graveron-Demilly D, Chalus M, Pinguet J, Eschalier A, Richard D, Daulhac L, Marchand F, Balayssac D. Cholinergic Neurotransmission in the Posterior Insular Cortex Is Altered in Preclinical Models of Neuropathic Pain: Key Role of Muscarinic M2 Receptors in Donepezil-Induced Antinociception. J Neurosci 2015; 35:16418-30. [PMID: 26674867 PMCID: PMC4679823 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1537-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating pain conditions, yet no therapeutic strategy has been really effective for its treatment. Hence, a better understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms is necessary to identify new pharmacological targets. Here, we report important metabolic variations in brain areas involved in pain processing in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy using HRMAS (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. An increased concentration of choline has been evidenced in the posterior insular cortex (pIC) of neuropathic animal, which was significantly correlated with animals' pain thresholds. The screening of 34 genes mRNA involved in the pIC cholinergic system showed an increased expression of the high-affinity choline transporter and especially the muscarinic M2 receptors, which was confirmed by Western blot analysis in oxaliplatin-treated rats and the spared nerve injury model (SNI). Furthermore, pharmacological activation of M2 receptors in the pIC using oxotremorine completely reversed oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia. Consistently, systemic treatment with donepezil, a centrally active acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, prevented and reversed oxaliplatin-induced cold and mechanical allodynia as well as social interaction impairment. Intracerebral microdialysis revealed a lower level of acetylcholine in the pIC of oxaliplatin-treated rats, which was significantly increased by donepezil. Finally, the analgesic effect of donepezil was markedly reduced by a microinjection of the M2 antagonist, methoctramine, within the pIC, in both oxaliplatin-treated rats and spared nerve injury rats. These findings highlight the crucial role of cortical cholinergic neurotransmission as a critical mechanism of neuropathic pain, and suggest that targeting insular M2 receptors using central cholinomimetics could be used for neuropathic pain treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our study describes a decrease in cholinergic neurotransmission in the posterior insular cortex in neuropathic pain condition and the involvement of M2 receptors. Targeting these cortical muscarinic M2 receptors using central cholinomimetics could be an effective therapy for neuropathic pain treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Ferrier
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mathilde Bayet-Robert
- Université Lyon, CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, Ctr RMN Très Hauts Champs, F-69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Romain Dalmann
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Abderrahim El Guerrab
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Centre Jean Perrin, ERTICA EA4677 Université d'Auvergne, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Danielle Graveron-Demilly
- Université Lyon 1, Inserm U1044, CNRS UMR 5220, Laboratory CREATIS, F-69616 Villeurbanne, France, and
| | - Maryse Chalus
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jérémy Pinguet
- Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Alain Eschalier
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Damien Richard
- Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laurence Daulhac
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Fabien Marchand
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France,
| | - David Balayssac
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Inserm, U1107 NEURO-DOL, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France, Institut Analgesia, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Plasticity-Related PKMζ Signaling in the Insular Cortex Is Involved in the Modulation of Neuropathic Pain after Nerve Injury. Neural Plast 2015; 2015:601767. [PMID: 26457205 PMCID: PMC4592717 DOI: 10.1155/2015/601767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) is associated with important functions linked with pain and emotions. According to recent reports, neural plasticity in the brain including the IC can be induced by nerve injury and may contribute to chronic pain. Continuous active kinase, protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ), has been known to maintain the long-term potentiation. This study was conducted to determine the role of PKMζ in the IC, which may be involved in the modulation of neuropathic pain. Mechanical allodynia test and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of zif268, an activity-dependent transcription factor required for neuronal plasticity, were performed after nerve injury. After ζ-pseudosubstrate inhibitory peptide (ZIP, a selective inhibitor of PKMζ) injection, mechanical allodynia test and immunoblotting of PKMζ, phospho-PKMζ (p-PKMζ), and GluR1 and GluR2 were observed. IHC demonstrated that zif268 expression significantly increased in the IC after nerve injury. Mechanical allodynia was significantly decreased by ZIP microinjection into the IC. The analgesic effect lasted for 12 hours. Moreover, the levels of GluR1, GluR2, and p-PKMζ were decreased after ZIP microinjection. These results suggest that peripheral nerve injury induces neural plasticity related to PKMζ and that ZIP has potential applications for relieving chronic pain.
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Fenton BW, Shih E, Zolton J. The neurobiology of pain perception in normal and persistent pain. Pain Manag 2015; 5:297-317. [DOI: 10.2217/pmt.15.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Pain is a significant national burden in terms of patient suffering, expenditure and lost productivity. Understanding pain is fundamental to improving evaluation, treatment and innovation in the management of acute and persistent pain syndromes. Pain perception begins in the periphery, and then ascends in several tracts, relaying at different levels. Pain signals arrive in the thalamus and midbrain structures which form the pain neuromatrix, a constantly shifting set of networks and connections that determine conscious perception. Several cortical regions become active simultaneously during pain perception; activity in the cortical pain matrix evolves over time to produce a complex pain perception network. Dysfunction at any level has the potential to produce unregulated, persistent pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford W Fenton
- Summa Health System, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 75 Arch St Ste 102, Akron, OH 44304, USA
| | - Elim Shih
- Women's Health Fellow, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A10, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jessica Zolton
- Summa Health System, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 75 Arch St Ste 102, Akron, OH 44304, USA
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Simón-Arceo K, Contreras B, León-Olea M, Coffeen U, Jaimes O, Pellicer F. Inflammatory nociception responses do not vary with age, but diminish with the pain history. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:181. [PMID: 25120479 PMCID: PMC4112912 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Simón-Arceo
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente MuñizTlalpan, México, D.F., México
| | - Bernardo Contreras
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente MuñizTlalpan, México, D.F., México
| | - Martha León-Olea
- Departamento de Neuromorfología Funcional, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente MuñizTlalpan, México, D.F., México
| | - Ulises Coffeen
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente MuñizTlalpan, México, D.F., México
| | - Orlando Jaimes
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente MuñizTlalpan, México, D.F., México
| | - Francisco Pellicer
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente MuñizTlalpan, México, D.F., México
- *Correspondence: Francisco Pellicer, Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, CP 14370, México, D.F., México e-mail:
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Morel V, Pickering G, Etienne M, Dupuis A, Privat AM, Chalus M, Eschalier A, Daulhac L. Low doses of dextromethorphan have a beneficial effect in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2014; 28:671-80. [PMID: 24702319 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists may be given in persistent neuropathic pain, but adverse events especially with ketamine may limit their clinical use. Less central and cognitive adverse events are described with dextromethorphan and memantine. These molecules have been explored in many preclinical and clinical studies, but data are conflicting as regards neuropathic pain alleviation. Dextromethorphan and memantine have been administered to animals after spinal nerve ligation (SNL) to evaluate their antinociceptive/cognitive effects and associated molecular events, including the phosphorylation of several tyrosine (pTyr(1336), pTyr(1472)) residues in the NR2B NMDAR subunit. Spinal nerve ligation and sham animals received dextromethorphan (10 mg/kg, i.p.), memantine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (1 mL/kg, i.p.). These drugs were administered once symptoms of allodynia and hyperalgesia had developed. Tests were carried out before and after surgery. Tactile allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia and spatial memory were, respectively, evaluated by von Frey, Randall & Selitto and Y-maze tests and molecular events by Western blot analysis. Spinal nerve-ligated animals displayed nociception and impaired spatial memory. Dextromethorphan, but not memantine, reversed neuropathic pain (NP) symptoms, restored spatial memory integrity and decreased the expression of pTyr(1336)NR2B. Following postoperative administration of dextromethorphan, this study has demonstrated for the first time a concordance between behaviour, cognitive function and molecular events via pTyr(1336)NR2B for neuropathic pain alleviation. Confirmation of these findings in patients would constitute a major step forward in the treatment of neuropathic pain and in the improvement of cognitive function and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Morel
- Facultés de Médecine/Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Inserm, U1107 Neuro-Dol, F-63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Centre de Pharmacologie Clinique, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm CIC 501, F-63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Memantine, a promising drug for the prevention of neuropathic pain in rat. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 721:382-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Imbe H, Kimura A, Donishi T, Kaneoke Y. Repeated forced swim stress enhances CFA-evoked thermal hyperalgesia and affects the expressions of pCREB and c-Fos in the insular cortex. Neuroscience 2013; 259:1-11. [PMID: 24291670 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Stress affects brain activity and promotes long-term changes in multiple neural systems. Exposure to stressors causes substantial effects on the perception and response to pain. In several animal models, chronic stress produces lasting hyperalgesia. The insular (IC) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) are the regions exhibiting most reliable pain-related activity. And the IC and ACC play an important role in pain modulation via the descending pain modulatory system. In the present study we examined the expression of phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and c-Fos in the IC and ACC after forced swim stress (FS) and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection to clarify changes in the cerebral cortices that affect the activity of the descending pain modulatory system in the rats with stress-induced hyperalgesia. FS (day 1, 10min; days 2-3, 20min) induced an increase in the expression of pCREB and c-Fos in the anterior IC (AIC). CFA injection into the hindpaw after the FS shows significantly enhanced thermal hyperalgesia and induced a decrease in the expression of c-Fos in the AIC and the posterior IC (PIC). Quantitative image analysis showed that the numbers of c-Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the left AIC and PIC were significantly lower in the FS+CFA group (L AIC, 95.9±6.8; L PIC, 181.9±23.1) than those in the naive group (L AIC, 151.1±19.3, p<0.05; L PIC, 274.2±37.3, p<0.05). These findings suggest a neuroplastic change in the IC after FS, which may be involved in the enhancement of CFA-induced thermal hyperalgesia through dysfunction of the descending pain modulatory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Imbe
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan.
| | - A Kimura
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
| | - T Donishi
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
| | - Y Kaneoke
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
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Projections from the insular cortex to pain-receptive trigeminal caudal subnucleus (medullary dorsal horn) and other lower brainstem areas in rats. Neuroscience 2013; 233:9-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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González-Hernández A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rojas-Piloni G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Hernández-Linares Y, Villanueva L, Condés-Lara M. Spinal LTP induced by sciatic nerve electrical stimulation enhances posterior triangular thalamic nociceptive responses. Neuroscience 2013; 234:125-34. [PMID: 23318244 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Long-term potentiation (LTP) can be induced by electrical stimulation and gives rise to an increase in synaptic strength at the first relay. This phenomenon has been associated with learning and memory and also could be the origin of several pathological states elicited by an initial strong painful stimulus, such as some forms of neuropathic pain. We used high-frequency electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve in anesthetized rats to produce spinal LTP. To evaluate the effect of spinal LTP on the activity of neurons in the posterior triangular nucleus of the thalamus (PoT), we applied an electrical stimulation (40 stimuli; 1ms; 0.5Hz; 1.5mA) to cutaneous tissues at 10-min intervals during at least 3h. In the majority of cases, PoT cells did not respond to cutaneous stimulation before LTP, but 50min after LTP induction PoT cells progressively began responding to the cutaneous stimulation. Furthermore, after 3h of LTP induction, PoT neurons could respond to cutaneous stimulation applied to different paws. Interestingly, the conduction velocities for the receptive field responses from the paw to the PoT cells were compatible with those of Aδ-fibers. Since PoT cells project to the insular cortex, the progressive increase in PoT activity and also the progressive unmasking of somatic receptive fields in response to LTP, place these cells in a key position to detect pain stimuli following central sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Spinal cord stimulation modulates cerebral function: an fMRI study. Neuroradiology 2012; 54:1399-407. [PMID: 22941431 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-012-1087-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is widely used for chronic neuropathic pain after failed spinal surgery, little is known about the underlying physiological mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the neural substrate underlying short-term (30 s) SCS by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging in 20 patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). METHODS Twenty patients with FBSS, treated with externalized SCS, participated in a blocked functional magnetic resonance imaging design with stimulation and rest phases of 30 s each, repeated eight times in a row. During scanning, patients rated pain intensity over time using an 11-point numerical rating scale with verbal anchors (0 = no pain at all to 10 = worst pain imaginable) by pushing buttons (left hand, lesser pain; right hand, more pain). This scale was back projected to the patients on a flat screen allowing them to manually direct the pain indicator. To increase the signal-to-noise ratio, the 8-min block measurements were repeated three times. RESULTS Marked deactivation of the bilateral medial thalamus and its connections to the rostral and caudal cingulate cortex and the insula was found; the study also showed immediate pain relief obtained by short-term SCS correlated negatively with activity in the inferior olivary nucleus, the cerebellum, and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate the key role of the medial thalamus as a mediator and the involvement of a corticocerebellar network implicating the modulation and regulation of averse and negative affect related to pain. The observation of a deactivation of the ipsilateral antero-medial thalamus might be used as a region of interest for further response SCS studies.
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Ortega-Legaspi JM, de Gortari P, Garduño-Gutiérrez R, Amaya MI, León-Olea M, Coffeen U, Pellicer F. Expression of the dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex in a model of neuropathic pain. Mol Pain 2011; 7:97. [PMID: 22171983 PMCID: PMC3286425 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-7-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been related to the affective component of pain. Dopaminergic mesocortical circuits, including the ACC, are able to inhibit neuropathic nociception measured as autotomy behaviour. We determined the changes in dopamine D1 and D2 (D1R and D2R) receptor expression in the ACC (cg1 and cg2) in an animal model of neuropathic pain. The neuropathic group had noxious heat applied in the right hind paw followed 30 min. later by right sciatic denervation. Autotomy score (AS) was recorded for eight days and subsequently classified in low, medium and high AS groups. The control consisted of naïve animals.A semiquantitative RT-PCR procedure was done to determine mRNA levels for D1R and D2R in cg1 and cg2, and protein levels were measured by Western Blot. RESULTS The results of D1R mRNA in cg1 showed a decrease in all groups. D2R mRNA levels in cg1 decreased in low AS and increased in medium and high AS. Regarding D1R in cg2, there was an increase in all groups. D2R expression levels in cg2 decreased in all groups. In cg1, the D2R mRNA correlated positively with autotomy behaviour. Protein levels of D2R in cg1 increased in all groups but to a higher degree in low AS. In cg2 D2R protein only decreased discretely. D1R protein was not found in either ACC region. CONCLUSIONS This is the first evidence of an increase of inhibitory dopaminergic receptor (D2R) mRNA and protein in cg1 in correlation with nociceptive behaviour in a neuropathic model of pain in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Manuel Ortega-Legaspi
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Integrativa, Dirección de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente, México
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Benison AM, Chumachenko S, Harrison JA, Maier SF, Falci SP, Watkins LR, Barth DS. Caudal granular insular cortex is sufficient and necessary for the long-term maintenance of allodynic behavior in the rat attributable to mononeuropathy. J Neurosci 2011; 31:6317-28. [PMID: 21525272 PMCID: PMC3089761 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0076-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia, the perception of innocuous tactile stimulation as painful, is a severe symptom of chronic pain often produced by damage to peripheral nerves. Allodynia affects millions of people and remains highly resistant to classic analgesics and therapies. Neural mechanisms for the development and maintenance of allodynia have been investigated in the spinal cord, brainstem, thalamus, and forebrain, but manipulations of these regions rarely produce lasting effects. We found that long-term alleviation of allodynic manifestations is produced by discreetly lesioning a newly discovered somatosensory representation in caudal granular insular cortex (CGIC) in the rat, either before or after a chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. However, CGIC lesions alone have no effect on normal mechanical stimulus thresholds. In addition, using electrophysiological techniques, we reveal a corticospinal loop that could be the anatomical source of the influence of CGIC on allodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Benison
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
| | - Serhiy Chumachenko
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
| | - Jacqueline A. Harrison
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
| | - Steven F. Maier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
| | - Scott P. Falci
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
| | - Linda R. Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
| | - Daniel S. Barth
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345
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Coffeen U, Ortega-Legaspi JM, de Gortari P, Simón-Arceo K, Jaimes O, Amaya MI, Pellicer F. Inflammatory nociception diminishes dopamine release and increases dopamine D2 receptor mRNA in the rat's insular cortex. Mol Pain 2010; 6:75. [PMID: 21050459 PMCID: PMC2994804 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-6-75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The insular cortex (IC) receives somatosensory afferent input and has been related to nociceptive input. It has dopaminergic terminals and D1 (D1R) -excitatory- and D2 (D2R) -inhibitory- receptors. D2R activation with a selective agonist, as well as D1R blockade with antagonists in the IC, diminish neuropathic nociception in a nerve transection model. An intraplantar injection of carrageenan and acute thermonociception (plantar test) were performed to measure the response to inflammation (paw withdrawal latency, PWL). Simultaneously, a freely moving microdyalisis technique and HPLC were used to measure the release of dopamine and its metabolites in the IC. Plantar test was applied prior, one and three hours after inflammation. Also, mRNA levels of D1 and D2R's were measured in the IC after three hours of inflammation. RESULTS The results showed a gradual decrease in the release of dopamine, Dopac and HVA after inflammation. The decrease correlates with a decrease in PWL. D2R's increased their mRNA expression compared to the controls. In regard of D1R's, there was a decrease in their mRNA levels compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that the decreased extracellular levels of dopamine induced by inflammation correlated with the level of pain-related behaviour. These results also showed the increase in dopaminergic mediated inhibition by an increase in D2R's and a decrease in D1R's mRNA. There is a possible differential mechanism regarding the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory dopaminergic receptors triggered by inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulises Coffeen
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente, México
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