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Mussetto V, Teuchmann HL, Heinke B, Trofimova L, Sandkühler J, Drdla-Schutting R, Hogri R. Opioids Induce Bidirectional Synaptic Plasticity in a Brainstem Pain Center in the Rat. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1664-1680. [PMID: 37150382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are powerful analgesics commonly used in pain management. However, opioids can induce complex neuroadaptations, including synaptic plasticity, that ultimately drive severe side effects, such as pain hypersensitivity and strong aversion during prolonged administration or upon drug withdrawal, even following a single, brief administration. The lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) in the brainstem plays a key role in pain and emotional processing; yet, the effects of opioids on synaptic plasticity in this area remain unexplored. Using patch-clamp recordings in acute brainstem slices from male and female Sprague Dawley rats, we demonstrate a concentration-dependent, bimodal effect of opioids on excitatory synaptic transmission in the LPBN. While a lower concentration of DAMGO (0.5 µM) induced a long-term depression of synaptic strength (low-DAMGO LTD), abrupt termination of a higher concentration (10 µM) induced a long-term potentiation (high-DAMGO LTP) in a subpopulation of cells. LTD involved a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-dependent mechanism; in contrast, LTP required astrocytes and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation. Selective optogenetic activation of spinal and periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) inputs to the LPBN revealed that, while LTD was expressed at all parabrachial synapses tested, LTP was restricted to spino-parabrachial synapses. Thus, we uncovered previously unknown forms of opioid-induced long-term plasticity in the parabrachial nucleus that potentially modulate some adverse effects of opioids. PERSPECTIVE: We found a previously unrecognized site of opioid-induced plasticity in the lateral parabrachial nucleus, a key region for pain and emotional processing. Unraveling opioid-induced adaptations in parabrachial function might facilitate the identification of new therapeutic measures for addressing adverse effects of opioid discontinuation such as hyperalgesia and aversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Mussetto
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannah Luise Teuchmann
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Heinke
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lidia Trofimova
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Sandkühler
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Drdla-Schutting
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Roni Hogri
- Department of Neurophysiology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Dello Russo C, Cappoli N, Tabolacci E, Sollazzi L, Navarra P, Aceto P. Remifentanil does not affect human microglial immune activation in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:295-309. [PMID: 37220493 PMCID: PMC10201013 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Remifentanil is a potent ultra-short acting μ-opioid analgesic drug, frequently used in anaesthesia due to its favorable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile. It may be associated with the occurrence of hyperalgesia. Preclinical studies suggest a potential role of microglia, although the molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Considering the role of microglia in brain inflammation and the relevant differences among species, the effects of remifentanil were studied on the human microglial C20 cells. The drug was tested at clinically relevant concentrations under basal and inflammatory conditions. In the C20 cells, the expression and secretion of interleukin 6, interleukin 8 and the monocyte chemotactic protein 1 were rapidly induced by a mixture of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This stimulatory effect was sustained up to 24 h. Remifentanil did not exert any toxic effect nor modify the production of these inflammatory mediators, thus suggesting the lack of direct immune modulatory actions on human microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Dello Russo
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Systems Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Cappoli
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tabolacci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Liliana Sollazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Navarra
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Bioetica, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Aceto
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Liu XG. Normalization of Neuroinflammation: A New Strategy for Treatment of Persistent Pain and Memory/Emotional Deficits in Chronic Pain. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:5201-5233. [PMID: 36110505 PMCID: PMC9469940 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s379093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain, which affects around 1/3 of the world population and is often comorbid with memory deficit and mood depression, is a leading source of suffering and disability. Studies in past decades have shown that hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons resulting from abnormal expression of ion channels and central sensitization mediated pathological synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation in spinal dorsal horn, underlie the persistent pain. The memory/emotional deficits are associated with impaired synaptic connectivity in hippocampus. Dysregulation of numerous endogenous proteins including receptors and intracellular signaling molecules is involved in the pathological processes. However, increasing knowledge contributes little to clinical treatment. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that the neuroinflammation, characterized by overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and glial activation, is reliably detected in humans and animals with chronic pain, and is sufficient to induce persistent pain and memory/emotional deficits. The abnormal expression of ion channels and pathological synaptic plasticity in spinal dorsal horn and in hippocampus are resulting from neuroinflammation. The neuroinflammation is initiated and maintained by the interactions of circulating monocytes, glial cells and neurons. Obviously, unlike infectious diseases and cancer, which are caused by pathogens or malignant cells, chronic pain is resulting from alterations of cells and molecules which have numerous physiological functions. Therefore, normalization (counterbalance) but not simple inhibition of the neuroinflammation is the right strategy for treating neuronal disorders. Currently, no such agent is available in clinic. While experimental studies have demonstrated that intracellular Mg2+ deficiency is a common feature of chronic pain in animal models and supplement Mg2+ are capable of normalizing the neuroinflammation, activation of upregulated proteins that promote recovery, such as translocator protein (18k Da) or liver X receptors, has a similar effect. In this article, relevant experimental and clinical evidence is reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Guo Liu
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Ehsanian R, Koshkin E, Goins AE, Montera MA, Alles S. Pre- and Post-Interventional Changes in Physiological Profiles in a Patient Presenting With Opioid Withdrawal After Intrathecal Drug Delivery System Failure Related to Assumed Catheter Microfracture. Cureus 2021; 13:e14835. [PMID: 34104585 PMCID: PMC8173817 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) is successfully utilized for the treatment of chronic pain conditions; however, they are associated with complications related to human error and system failure. A case report is presented of a patient with opioid withdrawal (OW) secondary to assumed catheter microfracture. Interrogation of the IDDS allowed for the collection of pre- and post-treatment/stabilization cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is used to investigate the possible physiological determinants of OW. A 46-year-old female with a history of low back pain after traumatic low back injury status post-IDDS placement for failed back surgery syndrome presented with signs and symptoms concerning for OW. After every other possible explanation was ruled out, it was hypothesized that there may be IDDS catheter microfracture(s), and catheter replacement led to symptom resolution. There were no significant differences in cytokine levels tested in pre-CSF versus post-CSF samples. Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology analysis of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived nociceptors after treatment with pre- and post-CSF samples demonstrated modulation of action potential waveform. In patients presenting with acute OW attribution IDDS malfunction, catheter microfracture must be in the differential, and non-conventional interrogation of the IDDS catheter should be considered. The possible differences in pre-CSF and post-CSF may be more complicated than previously postulated, as there were no significant differences in cytokine profiles; however, treatment of in vitro neurons with pre- and post-CSF resulted in differential neuronal excitability, which may account for some of the symptoms of OW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Ehsanian
- Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Eugene Koshkin
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Aleyah E Goins
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Marena A Montera
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Sascha Alles
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
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The ambiguity of opioids revealed by immunology is changing the knowledge and the therapeutic approach in cancer and non-cancer pain: A narrative review. Immunol Lett 2020; 226:12-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Fundamental sex differences in morphine withdrawal-induced neuronal plasticity. Pain 2020; 161:2022-2034. [PMID: 32345917 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Withdrawal from systemic opioids can induce long-term potentiation (LTP) at spinal C-fibre synapses ("opioid-withdrawal-LTP"). This is considered to be a cellular mechanism underlying opioid withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia, which is a major symptom of the opioid withdrawal syndrome. Opioids can activate glial cells leading to the release of proinflammatory mediators. These may influence synaptic plasticity and could thus contribute to opioid-withdrawal-LTP. Here, we report a sexual dimorphism in the mechanisms of morphine-withdrawal-LTP in adult rats. We recorded C-fibre-evoked field potentials in the spinal cord dorsal horn from deeply anaesthetised male and female rats. In both sexes, we induced a robust LTP through withdrawal from systemic morphine infusion (8 mg·kg-1 bolus, followed by a 1-hour infusion at a rate of 14 mg·kg-1·h-1). This paradigm also induced mechanical hypersensitivity of similar magnitude in both sexes. In male rats, systemic but not spinal application of (-)naloxone blocked the induction of morphine-withdrawal-LTP, suggesting the involvement of descending pronociceptive pathways. Furthermore, we showed that in male rats, the induction of morphine-withdrawal-LTP required the activation of spinal astrocytes and the release of the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1. In striking contrast, in female rats, the induction of morphine-withdrawal-LTP was independent of spinal glial cells. Instead, blocking µ-opioid receptors in the spinal cord was sufficient to prevent a facilitation of synaptic strength. Our study revealed fundamental sex differences in the mechanisms underlying morphine-withdrawal-LTP at C-fibre synapses: supraspinal and gliogenic mechanisms in males and a spinal, glial cell-independent mechanism in females.
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