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Wang L, Liu X, Zhu C, Wu S, Li Z, Jing L, Zhang Z, Jing Y, Wang Y. Environmental enrichment alleviates hyperalgesia by modulating central sensitization in a nitroglycerin-induced chronic migraine model of mice. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:74. [PMID: 38724948 PMCID: PMC11083806 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01779-2] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic migraine (CM) is a debilitating neurofunctional disorder primarily affecting females, characterized by central sensitization. Central sensitization refers to the enhanced response to sensory stimulation, which involves changes in neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmitter release. Environmental enrichment (EE) can increase the movement, exploration, socialization and other behaviors of mice. EE has shown promising effects in various neurological disorders, but its impact on CM and the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether EE has the potential to serve as a cost-effective intervention strategy for CM. METHODS A mouse CM model was successfully established by repeated administration of nitroglycerin (NTG). We selected adult female mice around 8 weeks old, exposed them to EE for 2 months, and then induced the CM model. Nociceptive threshold tests were measured using Von Frey filaments and a hot plate. The expression of c-Fos, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and inflammatory response were measured using WB and immunofluorescence to evaluate central sensitization. RNA sequencing was used to find differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways. Finally, the expression of the target differential gene was investigated. RESULTS Repeated administration of NTG can induce hyperalgesia in female mice and increase the expression of c-Fos and CGRP in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). Early exposure of mice to EE reduced NTG-induced hyperalgesia in CM mice. WB and immunofluorescence revealed that EE inhibited the overexpression of c-Fos and CGRP in the TNC of CM mice and alleviated the inflammatory response of microglia activation. RNA sequencing analysis identified that several central sensitization-related signaling pathways were altered by EE. VGluT1, a key gene involved in behavior, internal stimulus response, and ion channel activity, was found to be downregulated in mice exposed to EE. CONCLUSION EE can significantly ameliorate hyperalgesia in the NTG-induced CM model. The mechanisms may be to modulate central sensitization by reducing the expression of CGRP, attenuating the inflammatory response, and downregulating the expression of VGluT1, etc., suggesting that EE can serve as an effective preventive strategy for CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gate, No. 82 Linxia Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Chenlu Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gate, No. 82 Linxia Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Shouyi Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gate, No. 82 Linxia Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Zhilei Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gate, No. 82 Linxia Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Lipeng Jing
- Institute of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Zhenchang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gate, No. 82 Linxia Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yuhong Jing
- Institute of Anatomy and Histology & Embryology, Neuroscience, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gate, No. 82 Linxia Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
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