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Albinni B, Zimmerman M, Ross J, Ozdoyuran L, Alasha V, Schuster NM, Said E, Case L. Subcutaneous Oxytocin Injection Reduces Heat Pain: A Randomized-Controlled Trial. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024:104547. [PMID: 38642595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide broadly implicated in social relationships and behavior. OT also exerts antinociceptive and pain-reducing effects in both humans and rodents. Recent research in rodents demonstrates that these effects can be peripheral and local. In human studies, intravenous OT has reduced visceral pain, and subcutaneous injection of OT has reduced postsurgical pain. However, the local effects of subcutaneous OT on experimental pain have not been studied. We conducted a 2-session crossover study during which healthy adults received a subcutaneous injection of synthetic OT (4 mcg/2 mL) or saline placebo (isotonic saline 2 mL), in a randomized and double-blinded manner. Eighteen participants completed full study procedures. We hypothesized that 10 minutes after injection, OT would reduce measures of acute mechanical pain, pressure pain, and heat pain perception. Subcutaneous OT significantly reduced ratings of heat pain intensity and unpleasantness (both P < .01), but did not alter mechanical pain, pressure pain, or heat pain threshold (all P > .05). Changes in heat pain were observed only on the injected arm and not on the contralateral arm, confirming a localized mechanism. These findings confirm the ability of OT in or near the skin to modulate nociceptive processes in cutaneous tissues in human adults, opening exciting avenues for further mechanistic research as well as potential clinical applications for acute pain. PERSPECTIVE: This randomized-controlled trial showed that a subcutaneous injection of OT could reduce perception of heat pain tested with a thermode. OT did not alter mechanical or pressure pain or thresholds for perceiving heat pain. These findings are relevant to scientists and clinicians seeking nonaddictive local drug treatments for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Albinni
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Marisa Zimmerman
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Jacob Ross
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Leyla Ozdoyuran
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Vincent Alasha
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Engy Said
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Laura Case
- Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California.
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2
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Liu R, Sun D, Xing X, Chen Q, Lu B, Meng B, Yuan H, Mo L, Sheng L, Zheng J, Wang Q, Chen J, Chen X. Intranasal oxytocin alleviates comorbid depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain via elevating hippocampal BDNF production in both female and male mice. Neuropharmacology 2024; 242:109769. [PMID: 37913985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The comorbidity of pain and depression is frequently observed in patients suffering from chronic pain and depression. However, the comorbid mechanism is not well elucidated and the therapeutic medication is still inadequate. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus. It has been reported to relieve chronic pain and depressive symptoms. However, the analgesic action and mechanisms of oxytocin have mainly been investigated using peripheral or spinal administration. Because of the advantage of intranasal delivery of oxytocin in crossing the blood-brain barrier, we investigated the effect of intranasal application of oxytocin on neuropathic pain and comorbid depressive symptoms in both female and male mice. In female and male mice receiving spared nerve injury (SNI) surgery, intranasal oxytocin (2.4 μg, daily for 28 days) attenuated depression-like behavior, but did not alleviate mechanical hyperalgesia. Intranasal oxytocin not only inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, but also increased the downregulated oxytocin receptor (OTR) expression, reversed the elevated GluN2A, and restored the decreased BDNF expression in the hippocampus. SNI also decreased OTR expression in the spinal cord and increased spinal GluN2A and BDNF. However, intranasal oxytocin treatment did not change the expression levels of OTR, GluN2A, or BDNF in the spinal cord of neuropathic mice. The results suggest that the oxytocin signaling in the hippocampus is involved in the comorbidity of pain and depression, and intranasal oxytocin may have the potential to treat depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongjun Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Daofan Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Xiuzhong Xing
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Qingge Chen
- The People's Hospital of Bozhou, Bozhou, Anhui, 236800, China
| | - Bo Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Bo Meng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Lan Mo
- Hunan Chest Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Liufang Sheng
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Jinwei Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Qiusheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China
| | - Junping Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, China.
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
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3
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El Heni H, Kemenesi-Gedei PB, Pálvölgyi L, Kozma-Szeredi ID, Kis G. Peripheral Branch Injury Induces Oxytocin Receptor Expression at the Central Axon Terminals of Primary Sensory Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:7. [PMID: 38203176 PMCID: PMC10779307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence suggests that oxytocin, as a regulatory nonapeptide, participates in modulatory mechanisms of nociception. Nonetheless, the role of this hypothalamic hormone and its receptor in the sensory pathway has yet to be fully explored. The present study performed immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and RT-qPCR analysis to assess changes in the expression of the neuronal oxytocin receptor in female rats following tight ligation of the sciatic nerve after 1, 3, and 7 days of survival. Oxytocin receptor immunoreactivity was present in both dorsal root ganglia and lumbar spinal cord segments, but not accumulated at the site of the ligation of the peripheral nerve branch. We found a time-dependent change in the expression of oxytocin receptor mRNA in L5 dorsal root ganglion neurons, as well as an increase in the level of the receptor protein in the lumbar segment of the spinal cord. A peak in the expression was observed on day 3, which downturned slightly by day 7 after the nerve ligation. These results show that OTR expression is up-regulated in response to peripheral nerve lesions. We assume that the importance of OTR is to modify spinal presynaptic inputs of the sensory neurons upon injury-induced activation, thus to be targets of the descending oxytocinergic neurons from supraspinal levels. The findings of this study support the concept that oxytocin plays a role in somatosensory transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heni El Heni
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Bátor Kemenesi-Gedei
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Laura Pálvölgyi
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ivett Dorina Kozma-Szeredi
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Kis
- Department of Physiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
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Shen Z, Li W, Chang W, Yue N, Yu J. Sex differences in chronic pain-induced mental disorders: Mechanisms of cerebral circuitry. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1102808. [PMID: 36891517 PMCID: PMC9986270 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1102808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression induced by chronic pain are common in clinical practice, and there are significant sex differences in their epidemiology. However, the circuit mechanism of this difference has not been fully studied, as preclinical studies have traditionally excluded female rodents. Recently, this oversight has begun to be resolved and studies including male and female rodents are revealing sex differences in the neurobiological processes behind mental disorder features. This paper reviews the structural functions involved in the injury perception circuit and advanced emotional cortex circuit. In addition, we also summarize the latest breakthroughs and insights into sex differences in neuromodulation through endogenous dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, GABAergic inhibition, norepinephrine, and peptide pathways like oxytocin, as well as their receptors. By comparing sex differences, we hope to identify new therapeutic targets to offer safer and more effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuqi Shen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqi Chang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Yue
- Weifang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Clerc N, Moqrich A. Diverse roles and modulations of I A in spinal cord pain circuits. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110588. [PMID: 35354022 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This review highlights recent findings of different amplitude ranges, roles, and modulations of A-type K+ currents (IA) in excitatory (GAD67-GFP-) and inhibitory (GAD67-GFP+) interneurons in mouse spinal cord pain pathways. Endogenous neuropeptides, such as TAFA4, oxytocin, and dynorphin in particular, have been reported to modulate IA in these pain pathways, but only TAFA4 has been shown to fully reverse the opposing modulations that occur selectively in LIIo GAD67-GFP- and LIIi GAD67-GFP+ interneurons following both neuropathic and inflammatory pain. If, as hypothesized here, Kv4 subunits underlie IA in both GAD67-GFP- and GAD67-GFP+ interneurons, then IA diversity in spinal cord pain pathways may depend on the interneuron-subtype-selective expression of Kv4 auxiliary subunits with functionally different N-terminal variants. Thus, IA emerges as a good candidate for explaining the mechanisms underlying injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Clerc
- Aix-Marseille-Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Aziz Moqrich
- Aix-Marseille-Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, UMR 7288, Case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
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Freeman SM. Using Receptor Autoradiography to Visualize and Quantify Oxytocin and Vasopressin 1a Receptors in the Human and Nonhuman Primate Brain. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2384:105-125. [PMID: 34550571 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1759-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite its development almost 40 years ago, receptor autoradiography remains a regular and reliable practice for the localization of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors in brain tissue sections. It is used across many laboratories, institutions, and animal species to characterize and quantify the distribution and density of these receptors at baseline and/or in response to experimental manipulations or lived experience. This powerful tool and the neuroanatomical receptor maps that it generates have allowed researchers to more accurately investigate and understand the neural substrates upon which oxytocin and vasopressin act to affect behavior. Researchers have used these maps to design site-specific pharmacological manipulations and electrophysiological recordings in animal studies to directly probe the underlying neural mechanisms in this system. This methods chapter describes the specific procedures by which a pharmacologically optimized, competitive binding modification to receptor autoradiography can be used to reliably localize oxytocin and vasopressin receptors in the human brain and in the brains of nonhuman primates. The ability to reliably perform receptor autoradiography for these targets in human brain tissue can finally inform our interpretation of past intranasal oxytocin neuroimaging studies and allows us to move past the reliance on transcriptomic studies using brain tissue homogenates so that we can directly investigate the involvement of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors in human behavior, physiology, and neuropsychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Freeman
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
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7
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Niu J, Tong J, Blevins JE. Oxytocin as an Anti-obesity Treatment. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:743546. [PMID: 34720864 PMCID: PMC8549820 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.743546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a growing health concern, as it increases risk for heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, COVID-19 related hospitalizations and mortality. However, current weight loss therapies are often associated with psychiatric or cardiovascular side effects or poor tolerability that limit their long-term use. The hypothalamic neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), mediates a wide range of physiologic actions, which include reproductive behavior, formation of prosocial behaviors and control of body weight. We and others have shown that OT circumvents leptin resistance and elicits weight loss in diet-induced obese rodents and non-human primates by reducing both food intake and increasing energy expenditure (EE). Chronic intranasal OT also elicits promising effects on weight loss in obese humans. This review evaluates the potential use of OT as a therapeutic strategy to treat obesity in rodents, non-human primates, and humans, and identifies potential mechanisms that mediate this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- JingJing Niu
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jenny Tong
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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8
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Yang LN, Chen K, Yin XP, Liu D, Zhu LQ. The Comprehensive Neural Mechanism of Oxytocin in Analgesia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:147-157. [PMID: 34525934 PMCID: PMC9199553 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210826142107] [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: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a nine amino acid neuropeptide hormone that has become one of the most intensively studied molecules in the past few decades. The vast majority of OXT is synthesized in the periventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, and a few are synthesized in some peripheral organs (such as the uterus, ovaries, adrenal glands, thymus, pancreas, etc.) OXT modulates a series of physiological processes, including lactation, parturition, as well as some social behaviors. In addition, more and more attention has recently been focused on the analgesic effects of oxytocin. It has been reported that OXT can relieve tension and pain without other adverse effects. However, the critical role and detailed mechanism of OXT in analgesia remain unclear. This review aims to summarize the mechanism of OXT in analgesia and some ideas about the mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Nan Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030. China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030. China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yin
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang. China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030. China
| | - Ling-Qiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030. China
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9
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The Same Magnocellular Neurons Send Axon Collaterals to the Posterior Pituitary and Retina or to the Posterior Pituitary and Autonomic Preganglionic Centers of the Eye in Rats. NEUROSCI 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci2010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In rats, some parvocellular paraventricular neurons project to spinal autonomic centers. Using the virus tracing technique, we have demonstrated that some magnocellular paraventricular neurons, but not supraoptic neurons, also project to autonomic preganglionic centers of the mammary gland, gingiva, or lip. A part of these neurons has shown oxytocin immunoreactivity. In the present experiment, we have examined whether the same magnocellular neuron that sends fibers to the retina or autonomic preganglionic centers of the eye also projects to the posterior pituitary. Double neurotropic viral labeling and oxytocin immunohistochemistry were used. After inoculation of the posterior pituitary and the eye with viruses, spreading in a retrograde direction and expressing different fluorescence proteins, we looked for double-labeled neurons in paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Double-labeled neurons were observed in non-sympathectomized and cervical-sympathectomized animals. Some double-labeled neurons contained oxytocin. After the optic nerve was cut, the labeling did not appear in the supraoptic nucleus; however, it could still be observed in the paraventricular nucleus. In the paraventricular nucleus, the double-labeled cells may be the origin of centrifugal visual fibers or autonomic premotor neurons. In the supraoptic nucleus, all double-labeled neurons are cells of origin of centrifugal visual fibers.
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Martínez-Lorenzana G, Gamal-Eltrabily M, Tello-García IA, Martínez-Torres A, Becerra-González M, González-Hernández A, Condés-Lara M. CLARITY with neuronal tracing and immunofluorescence to study the somatosensory system in rats. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 350:109048. [PMID: 33359224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.109048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CLARITY technique enables researchers to visualize different neuronal connections along the nervous system including the somatosensory system. NEW METHOD The present work describes the antero-lateral and dorsal column pathways until the thalamic and cortical stations, as well as descending oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic innervations by means of combined CLARITY, neuronal tracing, and immunofluorescence techniques. We used male Sprague-Dawley rats of 13, 30, and 60 days. RESULTS The main results are as follows: A) CLARITY is a reliable technique that can be combined with fluorescent neuronal tracers and immunofluorescence techniques without major procedure modifications; B) at spinal level, some primary afferent fibers were labeled by CGRP, as well as the presence of neuronal populations that simultaneously project to the gracile and ventral posterolateral thalamic nuclei; C) corticothalamic connections were visible when retrograde tracers were injected at thalamic level; D) oxytocin receptors were expressed in the spinal dorsal horn by GABAergic-positive neurons, reinforcing previous outcomes about the possible mechanism for oxytocin blocking the primary afferent sensory input. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS AND CONCLUSIONS The CLARITY technique lets us observe in a transparent way the entire processed tissue compared with classical histological methods. CLARITY is a potentially useful tool to describe neuroanatomical structures and their neurochemical stratus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Mohammed Gamal-Eltrabily
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Irma Alejandra Tello-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ataulfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Marymar Becerra-González
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
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11
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McCormack SE, Blevins JE, Lawson EA. Metabolic Effects of Oxytocin. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5658523. [PMID: 31803919 PMCID: PMC7012298 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that oxytocin (OXT), a hypothalamic hormone well recognized for its effects in inducing parturition and lactation, has important metabolic effects in both sexes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the physiologic effects of OXT on metabolism and to explore its therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders. In model systems, OXT promotes weight loss by decreasing energy intake. Pair-feeding studies suggest that OXT-induced weight loss may also be partly due to increased energy expenditure and/or lipolysis. In humans, OXT appears to modulate both homeostatic and reward-driven food intake, although the observed response depends on nutrient milieu (eg, obese vs. nonobese), clinical characteristics (eg, sex), and experimental paradigm. In animal models, OXT is anabolic to muscle and bone, which is consistent with OXT-induced weight loss occurring primarily via fat loss. In some human observational studies, circulating OXT concentrations are also positively associated with lean mass and bone mineral density. The impact of exogenous OXT on human obesity is the focus of ongoing investigation. Future randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in humans should include rigorous, standardized, and detailed assessments of adherence, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and efficacy in the diverse populations that may benefit from OXT, in particular those in whom hypothalamic OXT signaling may be abnormal or impaired (eg, individuals with Sim1 deficiency, Prader-Willi syndrome, or craniopharyngioma). Future studies will also have the opportunity to investigate the characteristics of new OXT mimetic peptides and the obligation to consider long-term effects, especially when OXT is given to children and adolescents. (Endocrine Reviews XX: XX - XX, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana E McCormack
- Neuroendocrine Center, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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12
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Lawson EA, Olszewski PK, Weller A, Blevins JE. The role of oxytocin in regulation of appetitive behaviour, body weight and glucose homeostasis. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12805. [PMID: 31657509 PMCID: PMC7186135 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and its associated complications have reached epidemic proportions in the USA and also worldwide, highlighting the need for new and more effective treatments. Although the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well recognised for its peripheral effects on reproductive behaviour, the release of OXT from somatodendrites and axonal terminals within the central nervous system (CNS) is also implicated in the control of energy balance. In this review, we summarise historical data highlighting the effects of exogenous OXT as a short-term regulator of food intake in a context-specific manner and the receptor populations that may mediate these effects. We also describe what is known about the physiological role of endogenous OXT in the control of energy balance and whether serum and brain levels of OXT relate to obesity on a consistent basis across animal models and humans with obesity. We describe recent data on the effectiveness of chronic CNS administration of OXT to decrease food intake and weight gain or to elicit weight loss in diet-induced obese (DIO) and genetically obese mice and rats. Of clinical importance is the finding that chronic central and peripheral OXT treatments both evoke weight loss in obese animal models with impaired leptin signalling at doses that are not associated with visceral illness, tachyphylaxis or adverse cardiovascular effects. Moreover, these results have been largely recapitulated following chronic s.c. or intranasal treatment in DIO non-human primates (rhesus monkeys) and obese humans, respectively. We also identify plausible mechanisms that contribute to the effects of OXT on body weight and glucose homeostasis in rodents, non-human primates and humans. We conclude by describing the ongoing challenges that remain before OXT-based therapeutics can be used as a long-term strategy to treat obesity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pawel K Olszewski
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Aron Weller
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - James E Blevins
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Office of Research and Development Medical Research Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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13
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Mou X, Fang J, Yang A, Du G. Oxytocin ameliorates bone cancer pain by suppressing toll-like receptor 4 and proinflammatory cytokines in rat spinal cord. J Neurogenet 2020; 34:216-222. [PMID: 32116108 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2019.1711077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaping Mou
- Department of Orthopedics, the People's Hospital of Jianyang, Jianyang, China
| | - Ji Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the People's Hospital of Jianyang, Jianyang, China
| | - An Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the People's Hospital of Jianyang, Jianyang, China
| | - Gang Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Hospital of Zibo, Zibo, China
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14
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Cellular Mechanisms for Antinociception Produced by Oxytocin and Orexins in the Rat Spinal Lamina II-Comparison with Those of Other Endogenous Pain Modulators. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12030136. [PMID: 31527474 PMCID: PMC6789548 DOI: 10.3390/ph12030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Much evidence indicates that hypothalamus-derived neuropeptides, oxytocin, orexins A and B, inhibit nociceptive transmission in the rat spinal dorsal horn. In order to unveil cellular mechanisms for this antinociception, the effects of the neuropeptides on synaptic transmission were examined in spinal lamina II neurons that play a crucial role in antinociception produced by various analgesics by using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique and adult rat spinal cord slices. Oxytocin had no effect on glutamatergic excitatory transmission while producing a membrane depolarization, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic and glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory transmission enhancement. On the other hand, orexins A and B produced a membrane depolarization and/or a presynaptic spontaneous excitatory transmission enhancement. Like oxytocin, orexin A enhanced both GABAergic and glycinergic transmission, whereas orexin B facilitated glycinergic but not GABAergic transmission. These inhibitory transmission enhancements were due to action potential production. Oxytocin, orexins A and B activities were mediated by oxytocin, orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptors, respectively. This review article will mention cellular mechanisms for antinociception produced by oxytocin, orexins A and B, and discuss similarity and difference in antinociceptive mechanisms among the hypothalamic neuropeptides and other endogenous pain modulators (opioids, nociceptin, adenosine, adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, somatostatin, cannabinoids, galanin, substance P, bradykinin, neuropeptide Y and acetylcholine) exhibiting a change in membrane potential, excitatory or inhibitory transmission in the spinal lamina II neurons.
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15
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Nishimura H, Kawasaki M, Suzuki H, Matsuura T, Motojima Y, Ohnishi H, Yamanaka Y, Yoshimura M, Maruyama T, Saito R, Ueno H, Sonoda S, Nishimura K, Onaka T, Ueta Y, Sakai A. Neuropathic Pain Up-Regulates Hypothalamo-Neurohypophysial and Hypothalamo-Spinal Oxytocinergic Pathways in Oxytocin-Monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein 1 Transgenic Rat. Neuroscience 2019; 406:50-61. [PMID: 30826522 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the high incidence of neuropathic pain, its mechanism remains unclear. Oxytocin (OXT) is an established endogenous polypeptide produced in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. OXT, which is synthesized by OXT neurons in the SON and the magnocellular part of the PVN (mPVN), is delivered into the posterior pituitary (PP), then released into the systemic blood circulation. Meanwhile, OXT-containing neurosecretory cells in the parvocellular part of the PVN (pPVN) are directly projected to the spinal cord and are associated with sensory modulation. In this study, the OXT system in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial and hypothalamo-spinal pathway was surveyed using a rat neuropathic pain model induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL). In the present study, we used transgenic rats expressing an OXT-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene. In a neuropathic pain model, mechanical allodynia was observed, and glial cell activation was also confirmed via immunohistochemistry. In this neuropathic pain model, a significant increase in the OXT-mRFP1 expression was observed in the PP, the SON, mPVN, and pPVN. Furthermore, OXT-mRFP1 granules with positive fluorescent reaction were remarkably increased in laminae I and II of the ipsilateral dorsal horn. Although the plasma concentrations of OXT did not significantly change, a significant increase of the mRNA levels of OXT and mRFP1 in the SON, mPVN, and pPVN were observed. These results suggest that neuropathic pain induced by PSL upregulates hypothalamic OXT synthesis and transportation to the OXTergic axon terminals in the PP and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Nishimura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Makoto Kawasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Suzuki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Takanori Matsuura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Motojima
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Hideo Ohnishi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Yamanaka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Yoshimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Maruyama
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Reiko Saito
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Ueno
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Satomi Sonoda
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Nishimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimono, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Akinori Sakai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
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16
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Filippa M, Poisbeau P, Mairesse J, Monaci MG, Baud O, Hüppi P, Grandjean D, Kuhn P. Pain, Parental Involvement, and Oxytocin in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Front Psychol 2019; 10:715. [PMID: 31001173 PMCID: PMC6454868 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants (PTI) typically experience many painful and stressful procedures or events during their first weeks of life in a neonatal intensive care unit, and these can profoundly impact subsequent brain development and function. Several protective interventions during this sensitive period stimulate the oxytocin system, reduce pain and stress, and improve brain development. This review provides an overview of the environmental risk factors experienced by PTI during hospitalization, with a focus on the effects of pain, and early maternal separation. We also describe the long-term adverse effects of the simultaneous experiences of pain and maternal separation, and the potential beneficial effects of maternal vocalizations, parental contact, and several related processes, which appear to be mediated by the oxytocin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Filippa
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Neuroscience of Emotion and Affective Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Social Sciences, University of Valle d'Aosta, Aosta, Italy
| | - Pierrick Poisbeau
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérôme Mairesse
- INSERM U1141 Protect, Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France.,Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Universtiy of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Olivier Baud
- INSERM U1141 Protect, Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France.,Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Universtiy of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Service de Médecine et Réanimation Néonatale, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Petra Hüppi
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Universtiy of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Didier Grandjean
- Neuroscience of Emotion and Affective Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Kuhn
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Service de Médecine et Réanimation Néonatale, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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17
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Saito N, Shima R, Yen CT, Yang RC, Ito E, Yoshioka T. Adhesive pyramidal thorn patches provide pain relief to athletes. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2019; 35:230-237. [PMID: 30887714 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain in athletes is ideally treated without systemic medicine. Therefore, complementary and alternative medicine, including patch treatments, is often used. The physiologic mechanisms of pain relief produced by patch treatment, however, are not well elucidated. In the present study, we introduce a pyramidal thorn (PT) patch that we developed, demonstrate the effects of this PT patch for the treatment of various types of pain in 300 subjects, and suggest a physiologic mechanism for the pain relief effects. One treatment with the PT patch effectively relieved pain in almost half the subjects evaluated. Except for pain generated deeply under the skin, such as low-back pain, pain was eliminated within four treatments with the PT patch in almost all of the subjects. Interestingly, the pain-sensing region moved along the nerve fibers after each trial. Further, patches without PT also provided some pain relief. We considered that this effect was due to hair deflection on the skin; that is, adhesion of the PT patch activates Merkel cells directly as well as Merkel cell-neurite complexes around the hair follicles by deflecting the hair follicles, whereas adhesion of a patch without PT only activates the Merkel cell-neurite complexes. In any case, patch adhesion stimulates Aβ fibers to alleviate pain. Finally, we found that the pain threshold is increased by electric stimulation, suggesting that the gentle adhesion of a PT patch would be more effective. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate physiologically the validity of an adherent patch for pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Saito
- Research Institute for Elderly Health, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.,Tokai Acupuncture Moxibustion Traditional Medicine Clinic, Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Rei Shima
- Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chen-Tung Yen
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Rei-Cheng Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Etsuro Ito
- Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Tohru Yoshioka
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
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18
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Boll S, Almeida de Minas A, Raftogianni A, Herpertz S, Grinevich V. Oxytocin and Pain Perception: From Animal Models to Human Research. Neuroscience 2018; 387:149-161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Grinevich V, Stoop R. Interplay between Oxytocin and Sensory Systems in the Orchestration of Socio-Emotional Behaviors. Neuron 2018; 99:887-904. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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20
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Sun W, Zhou Q, Ba X, Feng X, Hu X, Cheng X, Liu T, Guo J, Xiao L, Jiang J, Xiong D, Hao Y, Chen Z, Jiang C. Oxytocin Relieves Neuropathic Pain Through GABA Release and Presynaptic TRPV1 Inhibition in Spinal Cord. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:248. [PMID: 30065629 PMCID: PMC6056657 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Oxytocin (OT) is synthesized within the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. In addition to its role in uterine contraction, OT plays an important antinociceptive role; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of antinociceptive role of OT remain elusive. We hypothesized that the antinociceptive effect of OT on neuropathic pain may occur via inhibition of TRPV1 activation in the spinal cord. The present study explores the antinociceptive role of OT and its mechanisms in neuropathic pain. Methods: Partial sciatic nerve ligation (pSNL) was performed to induce neuropathic pain. Animal behaviors were measured using a set of electronic von Frey apparatus and hot plate. Electrophysiological recordings and molecular biological experiments were performed. Results: Intrathecal administration of OT alleviated both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in pSNL rats (n = 6, per group, P < 0.0001, saline vs. OT group). Electrophysiological data revealed that OT significantly inhibited the enhancement of frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents induced presynaptically by TRPV1 activation in the spinal cord. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of OT on capsaicin-induced facilitation of excitatory transmission was blocked by co-treatment with saclofen, while intrathecal administration of OT dramatically inhibited capsaicin-induced ongoing pain in rats, (n = 6, per group, P < 0.0001, saline vs. OT group). The paw withdrawal latency in response to heat stimulation was significantly impaired in TRPV1KO mice 3 days after pSNL upon OT (i.t.) treatment, compared with wild type mice (n = 6, P < 0.05). Finally, OT prevented TRPV1 up-regulation in spinal cords of pSNL model rats. Conclusion: OT relieves neuropathic pain through GABA release and presynaptic TRPV1 inhibition in the spinal cord. OT and its receptor system might be an intriguing target for the treatment and prevention of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuping Sun
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Third People's Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiyuan Ba
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaojin Feng
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuexue Hu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoe Cheng
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lizu Xiao
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Donglin Xiong
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yue Hao
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zixian Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changyu Jiang
- Department of Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital and the 6th Affiliated Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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21
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Han RT, Kim HB, Kim YB, Choi K, Park GY, Lee PR, Lee J, Kim HY, Park CK, Kang Y, Oh SB, Na HS. Oxytocin produces thermal analgesia via vasopressin-1a receptor by modulating TRPV1 and potassium conductance in the dorsal root ganglion neurons. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2018. [PMID: 29520170 PMCID: PMC5840076 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.2.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have provided several lines of evidence that peripheral administration of oxytocin induces analgesia in human and rodents. However, the exact underlying mechanism of analgesia still remains elusive. In the present study, we aimed to identify which receptor could mediate the analgesic effect of intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin and its cellular mechanisms in thermal pain behavior. We found that oxytocin-induced analgesia could be reversed by d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Dab5] AVP, a vasopressin-1a (V1a) receptor antagonist, but not by desGly-NH2-d(CH2)5[DTyr2, Thr4]OVT, an oxytocin receptor antagonist. Single cell RT-PCR analysis revealed that V1a receptor, compared to oxytocin, vasopressin-1b and vasopressin-2 receptors, was more profoundly expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the expression of V1a receptor was predominant in transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-expressing DRG neurons. Fura-2 based calcium imaging experiments showed that capsaicin-induced calcium transient was significantly inhibited by oxytocin and that such inhibition was reversed by V1a receptor antagonist. Additionally, whole cell patch clamp recording demonstrated that oxytocin significantly increased potassium conductance via V1a receptor in DRG neurons. Taken together, our findings suggest that analgesic effects produced by peripheral administration of oxytocin were attributable to the activation of V1a receptor, resulting in reduction of TRPV1 activity and enhancement of potassium conductance in DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Taeho Han
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Han-Byul Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Young-Beom Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Kyungmin Choi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Gi Yeon Park
- Dental Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology & Physiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Pa Reum Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - JaeHee Lee
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Hye Young Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Chul-Kyu Park
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
| | - Youngnam Kang
- Department of Neuroscience and Oral Physiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Seog Bae Oh
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea.,Dental Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology & Physiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Heung Sik Na
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
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22
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Abstract
Oxytocin, a hypothalamic hormone that is secreted directly into the brain and enters the peripheral circulation through the posterior pituitary gland, regulates a range of physiologic processes, including eating behaviour and metabolism. In rodents and nonhuman primates, chronic oxytocin administration leads to sustained weight reduction by reducing food intake, increasing energy expenditure and inducing lipolysis. Oxytocin might improve glucose homeostasis, independently of its effects on weight. Clinical studies are beginning to translate these important preclinical findings to humans. This Review describes key data linking oxytocin to eating behaviour and metabolism in humans. For example, a single intranasal dose of oxytocin can reduce caloric intake, increase fat oxidation and improve insulin sensitivity in men. Furthermore, a pilot study of 8 weeks of oxytocin treatment in adults with obesity or overweight led to substantial weight loss. Together, these data support further investigation of interventions that target pathways involving oxytocin as potential therapeutics in metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus. Therapeutic considerations and areas for further research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Bulfinch 457 D, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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23
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Walker SC, Trotter PD, Swaney WT, Marshall A, Mcglone FP. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides 2017; 64:27-38. [PMID: 28162847 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Low intensity, non-noxious, stimulation of cutaneous somatosensory nerves has been shown to trigger oxytocin release and is associated with increased social motivation, plus reduced physiological and behavioural reactivity to stressors. However, to date, little attention has been paid to the specific nature of the mechanosensory nerves which mediate these effects. In recent years, the neuroscientific study of human skin nerves (microneurography studies on single peripheral nerve fibres) has led to the identification and characterisation of a class of touch sensitive nerve fibres named C-tactile afferents. Neither itch nor pain receptive, these unmyelinated, low threshold mechanoreceptors, found only in hairy skin, respond optimally to low force/velocity stroking touch. Notably, the speed of stroking which C-tactile afferents fire most strongly to is also that which people perceive to be most pleasant. The social touch hypothesis posits that this system of nerves has evolved in mammals to signal the rewarding value of physical contact in nurturing and social interactions. In support of this hypothesis, we review the evidence that cutaneous stimulation directly targeted to optimally activate C-tactile afferents reduces physiological arousal, carries a positive affective value and, under healthy conditions, inhibits responses to painful stimuli. These effects mirror those, we also review, which have been reported following endogenous release and exogenous administration of oxytocin. Taken together this suggests C-tactile afferent stimulation may mediate oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah C Walker
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK..
| | - Paula D Trotter
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - William T Swaney
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford M6 8HD, UK
| | - Francis P Mcglone
- Research Centre for Brain & Behaviour, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.; Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, UK
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Peripheral oxytocin receptors inhibit the nociceptive input signal to spinal dorsal horn wide-dynamic-range neurons. Pain 2017; 158:2117-2128. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Nessren MAER, Omyma GA, Ebtihal AAEA, Ayman MO, Amel T. Oxytocin ameliorates the deleterious effect of pain in adult male rats. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2017; 8:1-6. [DOI: 10.5897/jpap2016.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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Matsuura T, Kawasaki M, Hashimoto H, Yoshimura M, Motojima Y, Saito R, Ueno H, Maruyama T, Ishikura T, Sabanai K, Mori T, Ohnishi H, Onaka T, Sakai A, Ueta Y. Possible Involvement of the Rat Hypothalamo-Neurohypophysial/-Spinal Oxytocinergic Pathways in Acute Nociceptive Responses. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 27144381 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT)-containing neurosecretory cells in the parvocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which project to the medulla and spinal cord, are involved in various physiological functions, such as sensory modulation and autonomic processes. In the present study, we examined OXT expression in the hypothalamo-spinal pathway, as well as the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, which includes the magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the PVN and the supraoptic nucleus (SON), after s.c. injection of saline or formalin into the hindpaws of transgenic rats that express the OXT and monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene. (i) The numbers of OXT-mRFP1 neurones that expressed Fos-like immunoreactivity (-IR) and OXT-mRFP1 intensity were increased significantly in the magnocellular/parvocellular PVN and SON after s.c. injection of formalin. (ii) OXT-mRFP1 neurones in the anterior parvocellular PVN, which may project to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, were activated by s.c. injection of formalin, as indicated by a significant increases of Fos-IR and mRFP1 intensity intensity. (iii) Formalin injection caused a significant transient increase in plasma OXT. (iv) OXT, mRFP1 and corticotrophin-releasing hormone mRNAs in the PVN were significantly increased after s.c. injection of formalin. (v) An intrathecal injection of OXT-saporin induced hypersensitivity in conscious rats. Taken together, these results suggest that the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial/-spinal OXTergic pathways may be involved in acute nociceptive responses in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Matsuura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - M Kawasaki
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - H Hashimoto
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - M Yoshimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Y Motojima
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - R Saito
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - H Ueno
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Maruyama
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Ishikura
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - K Sabanai
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Mori
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - H Ohnishi
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Onaka
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi-ken, Japan
| | - A Sakai
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Y Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Effects of central administration of oxytocin-saporin cytotoxin on chronic inflammation and feeding/drinking behaviors in adjuvant arthritic rats. Neurosci Lett 2016; 621:104-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Condés-Lara M, Zayas-González H, Manzano-García A, Córdova-Quiroz E, Granados-Mortera J, García-Cuevas M, Morales-Gómez J, González-Hernández A. Successful Pain Management with Epidural Oxytocin. CNS Neurosci Ther 2016; 22:532-4. [PMID: 27080720 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Héctor Zayas-González
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México.,Hospital Regional de Petróleos Mexicanos, Salamanca, Guanajuato, México
| | - Alfredo Manzano-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | | | | | | | | | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
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Matsuura T, Kawasaki M, Hashimoto H, Ishikura T, Yoshimura M, Ohkubo JI, Maruyama T, Motojima Y, Sabanai K, Mori T, Ohnishi H, Sakai A, Ueta Y. Fluorescent Visualisation of Oxytocin in the Hypothalamo-neurohypophysial/-spinal Pathways After Chronic Inflammation in Oxytocin-Monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein 1 Transgenic Rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2015; 27:636-46. [PMID: 25943916 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a well-known neurohypophysial hormone that is synthesised in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the hypothalamus. The projection of magnocellular neurosecretory cells, which synthesise OXT and arginine vasopressin in the PVN and SON, to the posterior pituitary plays an essential role in mammalian labour and lactation through its peripheral action. However, previous studies have shown that parvocellular OXTergic cells in the PVN, which project to the medulla and spinal cord, are involved in various physiological functions (e.g. sensory modulation and autonomic). In the present study, we examined OXT expression in the PVN, SON and spinal cord after chronic inflammation from adjuvant arthritis (AA). We used transgenic rats that express OXT and the monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene to visualise both the magnocellular and parvocellular OXTergic pathways. OXT-mRFP1 fluorescence intensity was significantly increased in the PVN, SON, dorsal horn of the spinal cord and posterior pituitary in AA rats. The levels of OXT-mRFP1 mRNA were significantly increased in the PVN and SON of AA rats. These results suggested that OXT was up-regulated in both hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells and parvocellular cells by chronic inflammation, and also that OXT in the PVN-spinal pathway may be involved in sensory modulation. OXT-mRFP1 transgenic rats are a very useful model for visualising the OXTergic pathways from vesicles in a single cell to terminals in in vitro preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Matsuura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - M Kawasaki
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - H Hashimoto
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Ishikura
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - M Yoshimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - J-I Ohkubo
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Maruyama
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Y Motojima
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - K Sabanai
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - T Mori
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - H Ohnishi
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - A Sakai
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Y Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Gong L, Gao F, Li J, Li J, Yu X, Ma X, Zheng W, Cui S, Liu K, Zhang M, Kunze W, Liu CY. Oxytocin-induced membrane hyperpolarization in pain-sensitive dorsal root ganglia neurons mediated by Ca(2+)/nNOS/NO/KATP pathway. Neuroscience 2015; 289:417-28. [PMID: 25617653 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) plays an important role in pain modulation and antinociception in the central nervous system. However, little is known about its peripheral effects. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of OT on the electrical properties of neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the underlying mechanisms. DRG neurons from adult rats were acutely dissociated and cultured. Intracellular Ca(2+) was determined by fluorescent microscopy using an indicator dye. The electrical properties of DRG neurons were tested by patch-clamp recording. The oxytocin receptor (OTR) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on DRG neurons were assessed with immunofluorescence assays. OTR co-localized with nNOS in most of Isolectin B4 (IB4)-binding cultured DRG neurons in rats. OT decreased the excitability, increased the outward current, and evoked the membrane hyperpolarization in cultured DRG neurons. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), the donor of nitric oxide (NO), exerted similar effects as OT on the membrane potential of cultured DRG neurons. OT increased the production of NO in DRGs and cultured DRG neurons. Pre-treatment of the OTR antagonist atosiban or the selective nNOS inhibitor N-Propyl-l-arginine (NPLA) significantly attenuated the hyperpolarization effect evoked by OT. OT produced a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular Ca(2+) in DRG neurons that responds to capsaicin, which can be attenuated by atosiban, but not by NPLA. OT-evoked membrane hyperpolarization and increase of outward current were distinctly attenuated by glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive K(+) (KATP) channel. OT might be an endogenous antinociceptive agent and the peripheral antinociceptive effects of OT are mediated by activation of the Ca(2+)/nNOS/NO/KATP pathway in DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gong
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - F Gao
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - J Li
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - J Li
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - X Yu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - X Ma
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - W Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - S Cui
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - K Liu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China
| | - M Zhang
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Canada
| | - W Kunze
- The McMaster Brain-Body Institutes, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Y Liu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, China; Provincial Key Lab of Mental Disorder, Shandong University School of Medicine, China.
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Ceredig RA, Massotte D. Fluorescent knock-in mice to decipher the physiopathological role of G protein-coupled receptors. Front Pharmacol 2015; 5:289. [PMID: 25610398 PMCID: PMC4284998 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) modulate most physiological functions but are also critically involved in numerous pathological states. Approximately a third of marketed drugs target GPCRs, which places this family of receptors in the main arena of pharmacological pre-clinical and clinical research. The complexity of GPCR function demands comprehensive appraisal in native environment to collect in-depth knowledge of receptor physiopathological roles and assess the potential of therapeutic molecules. Identifying neurons expressing endogenous GPCRs is therefore essential to locate them within functional circuits whereas GPCR visualization with subcellular resolution is required to get insight into agonist-induced trafficking. Both remain frequently poorly investigated because direct visualization of endogenous receptors is often hampered by the lack of appropriate tools. Also, monitoring intracellular trafficking requires real-time visualization to gather in-depth knowledge. In this context, knock-in mice expressing a fluorescent protein or a fluorescent version of a GPCR under the control of the endogenous promoter not only help to decipher neuroanatomical circuits but also enable real-time monitoring with subcellular resolution thus providing invaluable information on their trafficking in response to a physiological or a pharmacological challenge. This review will present the animal models and discuss their contribution to the understanding of the physiopathological role of GPCRs. We will also address the drawbacks associated with this methodological approach and browse future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhian A Ceredig
- CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, UPR 3212 Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Massotte
- CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, UPR 3212 Strasbourg, France
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Horváth E, Woodhams SG, Nyilas R, Henstridge CM, Kano M, Sakimura K, Watanabe M, Katona I. Heterogeneous presynaptic distribution of monoacylglycerol lipase, a multipotent regulator of nociceptive circuits in the mouse spinal cord. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 39:419-34. [PMID: 24494682 PMCID: PMC3979158 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) is a multifunctional serine hydrolase, which terminates anti-nociceptive endocannabinoid signaling and promotes pro-nociceptive prostaglandin signaling. Accordingly, both acute nociception and its sensitization in chronic pain models are prevented by systemic or focal spinal inhibition of MGL activity. Despite its analgesic potential, the neurobiological substrates of beneficial MGL blockade have remained unexplored. Therefore, we examined the regional, cellular and subcellular distribution of MGL in spinal circuits involved in nociceptive processing. All immunohistochemical findings obtained with light, confocal or electron microscopy were validated in MGL-knockout mice. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed a highly concentrated accumulation of MGL in the dorsal horn, especially in superficial layers. Further electron microscopic analysis uncovered that the majority of MGL-immunolabeling is found in axon terminals forming either asymmetric glutamatergic or symmetric γ-aminobutyric acid/glycinergic synapses in laminae I/IIo. In line with this presynaptic localization, analysis of double-immunofluorescence staining by confocal microscopy showed that MGL colocalizes with neurochemical markers of peptidergic and non-peptidergic nociceptive terminals, and also with markers of local excitatory or inhibitory interneurons. Interestingly, the ratio of MGL-immunolabeling was highest in calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive peptidergic primary afferents, and the staining intensity of nociceptive terminals was significantly reduced in MGL-knockout mice. These observations highlight the spinal nociceptor synapse as a potential anatomical site for the analgesic effects of MGL blockade. Moreover, the presence of MGL in additional terminal types raises the possibility that MGL may play distinct regulatory roles in synaptic endocannabinoid or prostaglandin signaling according to its different cellular locations in the dorsal horn pain circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Horváth
- Momentum Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szigony utca 43., H-1083, Budapest, Hungary
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Dose F, Zanon P, Coslovich T, Taccola G. Nanomolar oxytocin synergizes with weak electrical afferent stimulation to activate the locomotor CpG of the rat spinal cord in vitro. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92967. [PMID: 24658101 PMCID: PMC3962494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synergizing the effect of afferent fibre stimulation with pharmacological interventions is a desirable goal to trigger spinal locomotor activity, especially after injury. Thus, to better understand the mechanisms to optimize this process, we studied the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (previously shown to stimulate locomotor networks) on network and motoneuron properties using the isolated neonatal rat spinal cord. On motoneurons oxytocin (1 nM–1 μM) generated sporadic bursts with superimposed firing and dose-dependent depolarization. No desensitization was observed despite repeated applications. Tetrodotoxin completely blocked the effects of oxytocin, demonstrating the network origin of the responses. Recording motoneuron pool activity from lumbar ventral roots showed oxytocin mediated depolarization with synchronous bursts, and depression of reflex responses in a stimulus and peptide-concentration dependent fashion. Disinhibited bursting caused by strychnine and bicuculline was accelerated by oxytocin whose action was blocked by the oxytocin antagonist atosiban. Fictive locomotion appeared when subthreshold concentrations of NMDA plus 5HT were coapplied with oxytocin, an effect prevented after 24 h incubation with the inhibitor of 5HT synthesis, PCPA. When fictive locomotion was fully manifested, oxytocin did not change periodicity, although cycle amplitude became smaller. A novel protocol of electrical stimulation based on noisy waveforms and applied to one dorsal root evoked stereotypic fictive locomotion. Whenever the stimulus intensity was subthreshold, low doses of oxytocin triggered fictive locomotion although oxytocin per se did not affect primary afferent depolarization evoked by dorsal root pulses. Among the several functional targets for the action of oxytocin at lumbar spinal cord level, the present results highlight how small concentrations of this peptide could bring spinal networks to threshold for fictive locomotion in combination with other protocols, and delineate the use of oxytocin to strengthen the efficiency of electrical stimulation to activate locomotor circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dose
- Neuroscience Department, International School for Advanced Studies (S.I.S.S.A.), Trieste, Italy
- Spinal Person Injury Neurorehabilitation Applied Laboratory (S.P.I.N.A.L.), Istituto di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione (IMFR), Udine, Italy
| | - Patrizia Zanon
- Neuroscience Department, International School for Advanced Studies (S.I.S.S.A.), Trieste, Italy
- Spinal Person Injury Neurorehabilitation Applied Laboratory (S.P.I.N.A.L.), Istituto di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione (IMFR), Udine, Italy
| | - Tamara Coslovich
- Neuroscience Department, International School for Advanced Studies (S.I.S.S.A.), Trieste, Italy
- Spinal Person Injury Neurorehabilitation Applied Laboratory (S.P.I.N.A.L.), Istituto di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione (IMFR), Udine, Italy
| | - Giuliano Taccola
- Neuroscience Department, International School for Advanced Studies (S.I.S.S.A.), Trieste, Italy
- Spinal Person Injury Neurorehabilitation Applied Laboratory (S.P.I.N.A.L.), Istituto di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione (IMFR), Udine, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Jiang CY, Fujita T, Kumamoto E. Synaptic modulation and inward current produced by oxytocin in substantia gelatinosa neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices. J Neurophysiol 2014; 111:991-1007. [DOI: 10.1152/jn.00609.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular mechanisms for antinociception produced by oxytocin in the spinal dorsal horn have not yet been investigated thoroughly. We examined how oxytocin affects synaptic transmission in substantia gelatinosa neurons, which play a pivotal role in regulating nociceptive transmission, by applying the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to the substantia gelatinosa neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices. Bath-applied oxytocin did not affect glutamatergic spontaneous, monosynaptically-evoked primary-afferent Aδ-fiber and C-fiber excitatory transmissions. On the other hand, oxytocin produced an inward current at −70 mV and enhanced GABAergic and glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory transmissions. These activities were repeated with a slow recovery from desensitization, concentration-dependent and mimicked by oxytocin-receptor agonist. The oxytocin current was inhibited by oxytocin-receptor antagonist, intracellular GDPβS, U-73122, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, but not dantrolene, chelerythrine, dibutyryl cyclic-AMP, CNQX, Ca2+-free and tetrodotoxin, while the spontaneous inhibitory transmission enhancements were depressed by tetrodotoxin. Current-voltage relation for the oxytocin current reversed at negative potentials more than the equilibrium potential for K+, or around 0 mV. The oxytocin current was depressed in high-K+, low-Na+ or Ba2+-containing solution. Vasopressin V1A-receptor antagonist inhibited the oxytocin current, but there was no correlation in amplitude between a vasopressin-receptor agonist [Arg8]vasopressin and oxytocin responses. It is concluded that oxytocin produces a membrane depolarization mediated by oxytocin but not vasopressin-V1A receptors, which increases neuronal activity, resulting in the enhancement of inhibitory transmission, a possible mechanism for antinociception. This depolarization is due to a change in membrane permeabilities to K+ and/or Na+, which is possibly mediated by phospholipase C and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-induced Ca2+-release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Yu Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, Saga, Japan
| | - Tsugumi Fujita
- Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, Saga, Japan
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Moreno-López Y, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, Rojas-Piloni G. Identification of oxytocin receptor in the dorsal horn and nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons. Neuropeptides 2013; 47:117-23. [PMID: 23102456 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2012.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) secreted by the hypothalamo-spinal projection exerts antinociceptive effects in the dorsal horn. Electrophysiological evidence indicates that OT could exert these effects by activating OT receptors (OTR) directly on dorsal horn neurons and/or primary nociceptive afferents in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, little is known about the identity of the dorsal horn and DRG neurons that express the OTR. In the dorsal horn, we found that the OTR is expressed principally in neurons cell bodies. However, neither spino-thalamic dorsal horn neurons projecting to the contralateral thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) and posterior nuclear group (Po) nor GABaergic dorsal horn neurons express the OTR. The OTR is not expressed in skin nociceptive terminals or in dorsal horn nociceptive fibers. In the DRG, however, the OTR is expressed predominantly in non-peptidergic C-fiber cell bodies, but not in peptidergic or mechanoreceptor afferents or in skin nociceptive terminals. Our results suggest that the antinociceptive effects of OT are mediated by direct activation of dorsal horn neurons and peripheral actions on nociceptive, non-peptidergic C-afferents in the DRG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Moreno-López
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Best TK, Marson L, Thor KB, Burgard EC. Synaptic activation of bulbospongiosus motoneurons via dorsal gray commissural inputs. J Neurophysiol 2012; 109:58-67. [PMID: 23076107 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00752.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ejaculation is controlled by coordinated and rhythmic contractions of bulbospongiosus (BSM) and ischiocavernosus muscles. Motoneurons that innervate and control BSM contractions are located in the dorsomedial portion of the ventral horn in the L(5-6) spinal cord termed the dorsomedial (DM) nucleus. We characterized intrinsic properties of DM motoneurons as well as synaptic inputs from the dorsal gray commissure (DGC). Electrical stimulation of DGC fibers elicited fast inhibitory and excitatory responses. In the presence of glutamate receptor antagonists, both fast GABAergic as well as glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were recorded. No slow GABA(B)-mediated inhibition was evident. In the presence of GABA(A) and glycine receptor antagonists, DGC stimulation elicited fast glutamatergic excitatory responses that were blocked by application of CNQX. Importantly, a slow depolarization (timescale of seconds) was routinely observed that sufficiently depolarized the DM motoneurons to fire "bursts" of action potentials. This slow depolarization was elicited by a range of stimulus train frequencies and was insensitive to glutamate receptor antagonists (CNQX and d-APV). The slow depolarization was accompanied by an increase in membrane resistance with an extrapolated reversal potential near the K(+) Nernst potential. It was mediated by the combination of the block of a depolarization-activated K(+) current and the activation of a QX-314-sensitive cation current. These results demonstrate that fast synaptic responses in DM motoneurons are mediated primarily by glutamate, GABA, and glycine receptors. In addition, slow nonglutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), generated through DGC stimulation, can elicit burstlike responses in these neurons.
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