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Denaro S, Pasquinucci L, Turnaturi R, Alberghina C, Longhitano L, Giallongo S, Costanzo G, Spoto S, Grasso M, Zappalà A, Li Volti G, Tibullo D, Vicario N, Parenti R, Parenti C. Sigma-1 Receptor Inhibition Reduces Mechanical Allodynia and Modulate Neuroinflammation in Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2672-2685. [PMID: 37922065 PMCID: PMC11043107 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03717-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating forms of chronic pain, resulting from an injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, which induces abnormal painful sensations including allodynia and hyperalgesia. Available treatments are limited by severe side-effects and reduced efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. Sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) has been identified as a chaperone protein, which modulate opioid receptors activities and the functioning of several ion channels, exerting a role in pain transmission. As such, it represents a druggable target to treat neuropathic pain. This study aims at investigating the therapeutic potential of the novel compound (+)-2R/S-LP2, a σ1R antagonist, in reducing painful behaviour and modulating the neuroinflammatory environment. We showed that repeated administration of the compound significantly inhibited mechanical allodynia in neuropathic rats, increasing the withdrawal threshold as compared to CCI-vehicle rats. Moreover, we found that (+)-2R/S-LP2-mediated effects resolve the neuroinflammatory microenvironment by reducing central gliosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression levels. This effect was coupled with a significant reduction of connexin 43 (Cx43) expression levels and gap junctions/hemichannels mediated microglia-to-astrocyte communication. These results suggest that inhibition of σ1R significantly attenuates neuropathic pain chronicization, thus representing a viable effective strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Denaro
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Cristiana Alberghina
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Longhitano
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Giallongo
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018, Troina, Italy
| | - Agata Zappalà
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Vicario
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Karasawa Y, Miyano K, Yamaguchi M, Nonaka M, Yamaguchi K, Iseki M, Kawagoe I, Uezono Y. Therapeutic Potential of Orally Administered Rubiscolin-6. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9959. [PMID: 37373107 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rubiscolins are naturally occurring opioid peptides derived from the enzymatic digestion of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase protein in spinach leaves. They are classified into two subtypes based on amino acid sequence, namely rubiscolin-5 and rubiscolin-6. In vitro studies have determined rubiscolins as G protein-biased delta-opioid receptor agonists, and in vivo studies have demonstrated that they exert several beneficial effects via the central nervous system. The most unique and attractive advantage of rubiscolin-6 over other oligopeptides is its oral availability. Therefore, it can be considered a promising candidate for the development of a novel and safe drug. In this review, we show the therapeutic potential of rubiscolin-6, mainly focusing on its effects when orally administered based on available evidence. Additionally, we present a hypothesis for the pharmacokinetics of rubiscolin-6, focusing on its absorption in the intestinal tract and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Karasawa
- Department of Pain Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
- Medical Affairs, Viatris Pharmaceuticals Japan Inc., Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
| | - Kanako Miyano
- Department of Pain Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
- Division of Cancer Pathophysiology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Pain Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
- Medical Affairs, Pfizer Japan Inc., Tokyo 151-8589, Japan
| | - Miki Nonaka
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yamaguchi
- Department of Pain Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masako Iseki
- Department of Pain Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Izumi Kawagoe
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Uezono
- Department of Pain Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Supportive and Palliative Care Research Support Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
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Turnaturi R, Chiechio S, Pasquinucci L, Spoto S, Costanzo G, Dichiara M, Piana S, Grasso M, Amata E, Marrazzo A, Parenti C. Novel N-normetazocine Derivatives with Opioid Agonist/Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist Profile as Potential Analgesics in Inflammatory Pain. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27165135. [PMID: 36014375 PMCID: PMC9413390 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common drugs used in persistent pain treatment; they have shown many side effects. The development of new analgesics endowed with mu opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) activity represents a promising alternative to MOR-selective compounds. Moreover, new mechanisms, such as sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) antagonism, could be an opioid adjuvant strategy. The in vitro σ1R and σ2R profiles of previous synthesized MOR/DOR agonists (−)-2R/S-LP2 (1), (−)-2R-LP2 (2), and (−)-2S-LP2 (3) were assayed. To investigate the pivotal role of N-normetazocine stereochemistry, we also synthesized the (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), (+)-2R-LP2 (8), and (+)-2S-LP2 (9) compounds. (−)-2R/S-LP2 (1), (−)-2R-LP2 (2), and (−)-2S-LP2 (3) compounds have Ki values for σ1R ranging between 112.72 and 182.81 nM, showing a multitarget opioid/σ1R profile. Instead, (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), (+)-2R-LP2 (8), and (+)-2S-LP2 (9) isomers displayed a nanomolar affinity for σ1R, with significative selectivity vs. σ2R and opioid receptors. All isomers were evaluated using an in vivo formalin test. (−)-2S-LP2, at 0.7 mg/kg i.p., showed a significative and naloxone-reversed analgesic effect. The σ1R selective compound (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), at 5.0 mg/kg i.p., decreased the second phase of the formalin test, showing an antagonist σ1R profile. The multitarget or single target profile of assayed N-normetazocine derivatives could represent a promising pharmacological strategy to enhance opioid potency and/or increase the safety margin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-738-4273
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Piana
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Mu and Delta Opioid Receptor Targeting Reduces Connexin 43-Based Heterocellular Coupling during Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115864. [PMID: 35682543 PMCID: PMC9180638 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain emerges from either central or peripheral lesions inducing spontaneous or amplified responses to non-noxious stimuli. Despite different pharmacological approaches to treat such a chronic disease, neuropathic pain still represents an unmet clinical need, due to long-term therapeutic regimens and severe side effects that limit application of currently available drugs. A critical phenomenon involved in central sensitization is the exchange of signalling molecules and cytokines, between glia and neurons, driving the chronicization process. Herein, using a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain, we evaluated the efficacy of the mu (M-) and delta (D-) opioid receptor (-OR) targeting agent LP2 in modulating connexin-based heterocellular coupling and cytokine levels. We found that long-term efficacy of LP2 is consequent to MOR-DOR targeting resulting in the reduction of CCI-induced astrocyte-to-microglia heterocellular coupling mediated by connexin 43. We also found that single targeting of DOR reduces TNF and IL-6 levels in the chronic phase of the disease, but the peripheral and central discharge as the primary source of excitotoxic stimulation in the spinal cord requires a simultaneous MOR-DOR targeting to reduce CCI-induced neuropathic pain.
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Fidilio A, Grasso M, Turnaturi R, Caruso G, Spitale FM, Vicario N, Parenti R, Spoto S, Musso N, Marrazzo A, Chiechio S, Caraci F, Pasquinucci L, Parenti C. The Multimodal MOPr/DOPr Agonist LP2 Reduces Allodynia in Chronic Constriction Injured Rats by Rescue of TGF-β1 Signalling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:749365. [PMID: 34690781 PMCID: PMC8526862 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.749365] [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: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is one of the most disabling forms of chronic pain and it is characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia linked to an aberrant processing of pain transmission and to neuroinflammation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, which protects against neuroinflammation. It has been demonstrated that TGF-β1 and opioid receptors signalling crosstalk results in an improvement of endogenous opioid analgesia, but it is not known whether mu opioid peptide receptor (MOPr) or delta opioid peptide receptor (DOPr) agonists can positively modulate TGF-β1 pathway. In the present study, we examined the correlation between anti-allodynic effect of LP2, a dual-target MOPr/DOPr agonist, and TGF-β1 signalling in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. We detected a significant decrease of active TGF-β1 and of its type II receptor TGFβ-R2 levels in the spinal cord from CCI rats and a selective deficit of TGF-β1 in microglia cells both at days 11 and 21 post-ligature, as assessed by immunofluorescence analysis. LP2, when administered from the 11 days post-ligature to 21 days, was able to reduce CCI-induced mechanical allodynia by rescue of TGF-β1 and TGFβ-R2 levels. Our data suggest that the rescue of TGF-β1 signalling by dual-target MOPr/DOPr agonist LP2 could be mediated by DOPr activation in spinal microglia, thus the dual-target approach could represent a novel pharmacological approach to increase the analgesic efficacy of MOPr agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Maria Spitale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Vicario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Reiss D, Maurin H, Audouard E, Martínez-Navarro M, Xue Y, Herault Y, Maldonado R, Cabañero D, Gaveriaux-Ruff C. Delta Opioid Receptor in Astrocytes Contributes to Neuropathic Cold Pain and Analgesic Tolerance in Female Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:745178. [PMID: 34602984 PMCID: PMC8483180 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.745178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The delta opioid receptor (DOR) contributes to pain control, and a major challenge is the identification of DOR populations that control pain, analgesia, and tolerance. Astrocytes are known as important cells in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, and many studies report an increased prevalence of pain in women. However, the implication of astrocytic DOR in neuropathic pain and analgesia, as well as the influence of sex in this receptor activity, remains unknown. Experimental Approach: We developed a novel conditional knockout (cKO) mouse line wherein DOR is deleted in astrocytes (named GFAP-DOR-KO), and investigated neuropathic mechanical allodynia as well as analgesia and analgesic tolerance in mutant male and female mice. Neuropathic cold allodynia was also characterized in mice of both sexes lacking DOR either in astrocytes or constitutively. Results: Neuropathic mechanical allodynia was similar in GFAP-DOR-KO and floxed DOR control mice, and the DOR agonist SNC80 produced analgesia in mutant mice of both sexes. Interestingly, analgesic tolerance developed in cKO males and was abolished in cKO females. Cold neuropathic allodynia was reduced in mice with decreased DOR in astrocytes. By contrast, cold allodynia was exacerbated in full DOR KO females. Conclusions: These findings show that astrocytic DOR has a prominent role in promoting cold allodynia and analgesic tolerance in females, while overall DOR activity was protective. Altogether this suggests that endogenous- and exogenous-mediated DOR activity in astrocytes worsens neuropathic allodynia while DOR activity in other cells attenuates this form of pain. In conclusion, our results show a sex-specific implication of astrocytic DOR in neuropathic pain and analgesic tolerance. These findings open new avenues for developing tailored DOR-mediated analgesic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Reiss
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Hervé Maurin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Emilie Audouard
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Miriam Martínez-Navarro
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yaping Xue
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cabañero
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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Connexin 43 and Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Interplay in Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation and Migration. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080767. [PMID: 34439999 PMCID: PMC8389699 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma is the product of accumulated genetic and epigenetic alteration where tumor cells support each other through cellular communication mechanisms and deregulated signalling processes. The autocrine and paracrine pathways between the intracellular and extracellular milieu is mediated by connexin 43, the main gap junction-forming protein driving glioblastoma progression. In this scenario, sonic hedgehog pathway, a key deregulated pathway involved in cell network signalling may affect connexin 43 expression, promoting glioblastoma pathobiology. In this study, we sought to explore how the modulation of the sonic hedgehog affects connexin 43 inducing glioblastoma hallmarks. To do this we evaluated biological effects of sonic hedgehog pathway modulation by purmorphamine and cyclopamine, a smoothened agonist and antagonist, respectively. We revealed that cell migration and proliferation are associated with connexin 43 expression upon sonic hedgehog modulation. Our study suggests that sonic hedgehog and connexin 43 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma. Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most common primary brain tumor within the adult population. Current therapeutic options are still limited by high rate of recurrences and signalling axes that promote GBM aggressiveness. The contribution of gap junctions (GJs) to tumor growth and progression has been proven by experimental evidence. Concomitantly, tumor microenvironment has received increasing interest as a critical process in dysregulation and homeostatic escape, finding a close link between molecular mechanisms involved in connexin 43 (CX43)-based intercellular communication and tumorigenesis. Moreover, evidence has come to suggest a crucial role of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling pathway in GBM proliferation, cell fate and differentiation. Herein, we used two human GBM cell lines, modulating SHH signalling and CX43-based intercellular communication in in vitro models using proliferation and migration assays. Our evidence suggests that modulation of the SHH effector smoothened (SMO), by using a known agonist (i.e., purmorphamine) and a known antagonist (i.e., cyclopamine), affects the CX43 expression levels and therefore the related functions. Moreover, SMO activation also increased cell proliferation and migration. Importantly, inhibition of CX43 channels was able to prevent SMO-induced effects. SHH pathway and CX43 interplay acts inducing tumorigenic program and supporting cell migration, likely representing druggable targets to develop new therapeutic strategies for GBM.
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Current Understanding of the Involvement of the Insular Cortex in Neuropathic Pain: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052648. [PMID: 33808020 PMCID: PMC7961886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is difficult to cure and is often accompanied by emotional and psychological changes. Exploring the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain will help to identify a better treatment for this condition. The insular cortex is an important information integration center. Numerous imaging studies have documented increased activity of the insular cortex in the presence of neuropathic pain; however, the specific role of this region remains controversial. Early studies suggested that the insular lobe is mainly involved in the processing of the emotional motivation dimension of pain. However, increasing evidence suggests that the role of the insular cortex is more complex and may even be related to the neural plasticity, cognitive evaluation, and psychosocial aspects of neuropathic pain. These effects contribute not only to the development of neuropathic pain, but also to its comorbidity with neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review, we summarize the changes that occur in the insular cortex in the presence of neuropathic pain and analgesia, as well as the molecular mechanisms that may underlie these conditions. We also discuss potential sex-based differences in these processes. Further exploration of the involvement of the insular lobe will contribute to the development of new pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments for neuropathic pain.
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Taghizadeh M, Maghsoudi N, Manaheji H, Akparov V, Baniasadi M, Mohammadi M, Danyali S, Ghasemi R, Zaringhalam J. Noopept; a nootropic dipeptide, modulates persistent inflammation by effecting spinal microglia dependent Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and pro-BDNF expression throughout apoptotic process. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06219. [PMID: 33644478 PMCID: PMC7895721 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06219] [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: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There are largely unknown associations between changes in pain behavior responses during persistent peripheral inflammation and spinal cell alteration such as apoptosis. Some evidence suggests that microglia and microglia related mediators play notable roles in induction and maintenance of central nervous system pathologies and inflammatory pain. By considering those relationships and microglia related nootrophic factors, such as the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in CNS, we attempted to assess the relationship between microglia dependent BDNF and its precursor with pain behavior through spinal cell apoptosis as well as the effect of Noopept on this relationship. Persistent peripheral inflammation was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) on day 0. Thermal hyperalgesia, paw edema, microglial activity, microglia dependent BDNF, pro-BDNF expression, and apoptosis were assessed in different experimental groups by confirmed behavioral and molecular methods on days 0, 7, and 21 of the study. Our findings revealed hyperalgesia and spinal cell apoptosis significantly increased during the acute phase of CFA-induced inflammation but was then followed by a decrement in the chronic phase of the study. Aligned with these variations in spinal microglial activity, microglia dependent BDNF significantly increased during the acute phase of CFA-induced inflammation. Our results also indicated that daily administration of Noopept (during 21 days of the study) not only caused a significant decrease in hyperalgesia and microglia dependent BDNF expression but also changed the apoptosis process in relation to microglia activity alteration. It appears that the administration of Noopept can decrease spinal cell apoptosis and hyperalgesia during CFA-induced inflammation due to its direct effects on microglial activity and microglia dependent BDNF and pro-BDNF expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Taghizadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nader Maghsoudi
- Department of Biology, Queens College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA.,Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Manaheji
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Valery Akparov
- State Research Institute for Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, 117545, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mansoureh Baniasadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mola Mohammadi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Danyali
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasoul Ghasemi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Zaringhalam
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Piotrowska A, Starnowska-Sokół J, Makuch W, Mika J, Witkowska E, Tymecka D, Ignaczak A, Wilenska B, Misicka A, Przewłocka B. Novel bifunctional hybrid compounds designed to enhance the effects of opioids and antagonize the pronociceptive effects of nonopioid peptides as potent analgesics in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Pain 2021; 162:432-445. [PMID: 32826750 PMCID: PMC7808367 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The purpose of our work was to determine the role of nonopioid peptides derived from opioid prohormones in sensory hypersensitivity characteristics of neuropathic pain and to propose a pharmacological approach to restore the balance of these endogenous opioid systems. Nonopioid peptides may have a pronociceptive effect and therefore contribute to less effective opioid analgesia in neuropathic pain. In our study, we used unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve as a neuropathic pain model in rats. We demonstrated the pronociceptive effects of proopiomelanocortin- and proenkephalin-derived nonopioid peptides assessed by von Frey and cold plate tests, 7 to 14 days after injury. The concentration of proenkephalin-derived pronociceptive peptides was increased more robustly than that of Met-enkephalin in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord of CCI-exposed rats, as shown by mass spectrometry, and the pronociceptive effect of one of these peptides was blocked by an antagonist of the melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor. The above results confirm our hypothesis regarding the possibility of creating an analgesic drug for neuropathic pain based on enhancing opioid activity and blocking the pronociceptive effect of nonopioid peptides. We designed and synthesized bifunctional hybrids composed of opioid (OP) receptor agonist and MC4 receptor antagonist (OP-linker-MC4). Moreover, we demonstrated that they have potent and long-lasting antinociceptive effects after a single administration and a delayed development of tolerance compared with morphine after repeated intrathecal administration to rats subjected to CCI. We conclude that the bifunctional hybrids OP-linker-MC4 we propose are important prototypes of drugs for use in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Piotrowska
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pain Pharmacology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Starnowska-Sokół
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pain Pharmacology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wioletta Makuch
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pain Pharmacology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Mika
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pain Pharmacology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Witkowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological, and Chemistry Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Tymecka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological, and Chemistry Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Angelika Ignaczak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological, and Chemistry Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Wilenska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological, and Chemistry Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Misicka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological, and Chemistry Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Przewłocka
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pain Pharmacology, Krakow, Poland
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11
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Multifunctional Opioid-Derived Hybrids in Neuropathic Pain: Preclinical Evidence, Ideas and Challenges. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235520. [PMID: 33255641 PMCID: PMC7728063 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
When the first- and second-line therapeutics used to treat neuropathic pain (NP) fail to induce efficient analgesia—which is estimated to relate to more than half of the patients—opioid drugs are prescribed. Still, the pathological changes following the nerve tissue injury, i.a. pronociceptive neuropeptide systems activation, oppose the analgesic effects of opiates, enforcing the use of relatively high therapeutic doses in order to obtain satisfying pain relief. In parallel, the repeated use of opioid agonists is associated with burdensome adverse effects due to compensatory mechanisms that arise thereafter. Rational design of hybrid drugs, in which opioid ligands are combined with other pharmacophores that block the antiopioid action of pronociceptive systems, delivers the opportunity to ameliorate the NP-oriented opioid treatment via addressing neuropathological mechanisms shared both by NP and repeated exposition to opioids. Therewith, the new dually acting drugs, tailored for the specificity of NP, can gain in efficacy under nerve injury conditions and have an improved safety profile as compared to selective opioid agonists. The current review presents the latest ideas on opioid-comprising hybrid drugs designed to treat painful neuropathy, with focus on their biological action, as well as limitations and challenges related to this therapeutic approach.
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12
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Curcumin Diglutaric Acid, a Prodrug of Curcumin Reduces Pain Hypersensitivity in Chronic Constriction Injury of Sciatic Nerve Induced-Neuropathy in Mice. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13090212. [PMID: 32867013 PMCID: PMC7558758 DOI: 10.3390/ph13090212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The drug treatment for neuropathic pain remains a challenge due to poor efficacy and patient satisfaction. Curcumin has been reported to alleviate neuropathic pain, but its clinical application is hindered by its low solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Curcumin diglutaric acid (CurDG) is a curcumin prodrug with improved water solubility and in vivo antinociceptive effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of CurDG in the chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathy mouse model. Repeated oral administration of CurDG at a low dose equivalent to 25 mg/kg/day produced a significant analgesic effect in this model, both anti-allodynic activity and anti-hyperalgesic activity appearing at day 3 and persisting until day 14 post-CCI surgery (p < 0.001) while having no significant effect on the motor performance. Moreover, the repeated administration of CurDG diminished the increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines: TNF-α and IL-6 in the sciatic nerve and the spinal cord at the lowest tested dose (equimolar to 25 mg/kg curcumin). This study provided pre-clinical evidence to substantiate the potential of pursuing the development of CurDG as an analgesic agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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13
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Shi CY, He XB, Zhao C, Wang HJ. Luteoloside Exerts Analgesic Effect in a Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Inflammatory Model via Inhibiting Interleukin-1β Expression and Macrophage/Microglia Activation. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1158. [PMID: 32848767 PMCID: PMC7412990 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Flavonoid monomers are proved to have an anti-inflammatory effect and may also be promising for chronic pain treatment. In the present study, the analgesic effect and the relevant mechanisms of luteoloside, one of the flavonoid monomers, were investigated. Methods The analgesic effect of luteoloside was first evaluated in complete Freud’s adjuvant induced inflammatory model by von Frey test and Hargreaves test in both male and female mice. The interleukin-1β levels in plantar tissue, serum, dorsal root ganglion, and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunofluorescence. The activation of macrophage/microglia was tested by Iba-1 staining. Results Our data showed that luteoloside exhibited both acute and chronic analgesic phenotypes. Every single dose of luteoloside solution reached the peak transient analgesic effect 2 h after administration and lasted less than 6 h. About 14 consecutive days administration (one dose per day) later, luteoloside showed a sustained analgesic effect which lasted more than 24 h. Celecoxib 20 mg/kg combined with luteoloside 40 mg/kg achieved a similar analgesic effect as celecoxib 40 mg/kg alone. Luteoloside inhibited interleukin-1β expression in plantar tissue, dorsal root ganglion, the dorsal horn of spinal cord, and serum, after 14 days of continuous administration. Furthermore, our results also showed that the activation of macrophage/microglia in dorsal root ganglions were significantly inhibited 2 h after each single dose in daily luteoloside administration and recovered to a higher level 6 h later. These findings might be involved in the mechanisms of the acute analgesic effect of luteoloside. Conclusion Luteoloside presents an analgesic effect via anti-inflammatory and other mechanisms such as inhibiting the activation of macrophage/microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yan Shi
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, College of Fundamental Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi-Biao He
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, College of Fundamental Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital and MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Lab of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Jing Wang
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, College of Fundamental Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Science, Shanghai, China.,Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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14
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Vicario N, Turnaturi R, Spitale FM, Torrisi F, Zappalà A, Gulino R, Pasquinucci L, Chiechio S, Parenti C, Parenti R. Intercellular communication and ion channels in neuropathic pain chronicization. Inflamm Res 2020; 69:841-850. [PMID: 32533221 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-020-01363-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain is caused by primary lesion or dysfunction of either peripheral or central nervous system. Due to its complex pathogenesis, often related to a number of comorbidities, such as cancer, neurodegenerative and neurovascular diseases, neuropathic pain still represents an unmet clinical need, lacking long-term effective treatment and complex case-by-case approach. AIM AND METHODS We analyzed the recent literature on the role of selective voltage-sensitive sodium, calcium and potassium permeable channels and non-selective gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs) in establishing and maintaining chronic neuropathic conditions. We finally focussed our review on the role of extracellular microenvironment modifications induced by resident glial cells and on the recent advances in cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular environment communication in chronic neuropathies. CONCLUSION In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge of neuropathy chronicization processes with a focus on both neuronal and glial ion channels, as well as on channel-mediated intercellular communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Vicario
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Maria Spitale
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Torrisi
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Zappalà
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Gulino
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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15
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Vigil JM, Montera MA, Pentkowski NS, Diviant JP, Orozco J, Ortiz AL, Rael LJ, Westlund KN. The Therapeutic Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Using a Chronic Neuropathic Pain Model. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E69. [PMID: 32443500 PMCID: PMC7281216 DOI: 10.3390/life10050069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few models exist that can control for placebo and expectancy effects commonly observed in clinical trials measuring 'Cannabis' pharmacodynamics. We used the Foramen Rotundum Inflammatory Constriction Trigeminal Infraorbital Nerve injury (FRICT-ION) model to measure the effect of "full-spectrum" whole plant extracted hemp oil on chronic neuropathic pain sensitivity in mice. METHODS Male BALBc mice were submitted to the FRICT-ION chronic neuropathic pain model with oral insertion through an incision in the buccal/cheek crease of 3 mm of chromic gut suture (4-0). The suture, wedged along the V2 trigeminal nerve branch, creates a continuous irritation that develops into secondary mechanical hypersensitivity on the snout. Von Frey filament stimuli on the mouse whisker pad was used to assess the mechanical pain threshold from 0-6 h following dosing among animals (n = 6) exposed to 5 μL of whole plant extracted hemp oil combined with a peanut butter vehicle (0.138 mg/kg), the vehicle alone (n = 3) 7 weeks post-surgery, or a naïve control condition (n = 3). RESULTS Mechanical allodynia was alleviated within 1 h (d = 2.50, p < 0.001) with a peak reversal effect at 4 h (d = 7.21, p < 0.001) and remained significant throughout the 6 h observation window. There was no threshold change on contralateral whisker pad after hemp oil administration, demonstrating the localization of anesthetic response to affected areas. CONCLUSION Future research should focus on how whole plant extracted hemp oil affects multi-sensory and cognitive-attentional systems that process pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Vigil
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.M.V.); (N.S.P.); (J.P.D.); (J.O.)
| | - Marena A. Montera
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Nathan S. Pentkowski
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.M.V.); (N.S.P.); (J.P.D.); (J.O.)
| | - Jegason P. Diviant
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.M.V.); (N.S.P.); (J.P.D.); (J.O.)
| | - Joaquin Orozco
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.M.V.); (N.S.P.); (J.P.D.); (J.O.)
| | - Anthony L. Ortiz
- Organic-Energetic Solutions, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA; (A.L.O.); (L.J.R.)
| | - Lawrence J. Rael
- Organic-Energetic Solutions, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA; (A.L.O.); (L.J.R.)
| | - Karin N. Westlund
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
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16
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Ceredig RA, Pierre F, Doridot S, Alduntzin U, Hener P, Salvat E, Yalcin I, Gaveriaux-Ruff C, Barrot M, Massotte D. Peripheral Delta Opioid Receptors Mediate Formoterol Anti-allodynic Effect in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 12:324. [PMID: 32116538 PMCID: PMC7033630 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a challenging condition for which current therapies often remain unsatisfactory. Chronic administration of β2 adrenergic agonists, including formoterol currently used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alleviates mechanical allodynia in the sciatic nerve cuff model of neuropathic pain. The limited clinical data currently available also suggest that formoterol would be a suitable candidate for drug repurposing. The antiallodynic action of β2 adrenergic agonists is known to require activation of the delta-opioid (DOP) receptor but better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved is necessary. Using a mouse line in which DOP receptors were selectively ablated in neurons expressing Nav1.8 sodium channels (DOP cKO), we showed that these DOP peripheral receptors were necessary for the antiallodynic action of the β2 adrenergic agonist formoterol in the cuff model. Using a knock-in mouse line expressing a fluorescent version of the DOP receptor fused with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (DOPeGFP), we established in a previous study, that mechanical allodynia is associated with a smaller percentage of DOPeGFP positive small peptidergic sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), with a reduced density of DOPeGFP positive free nerve endings in the skin and with increased DOPeGFP expression at the cell surface. Here, we showed that the density of DOPeGFP positive free nerve endings in the skin is partially restored and no increase in DOPeGFP translocation to the plasma membrane is observed in mice in which mechanical pain is alleviated upon chronic oral administration of formoterol. This study, therefore, extends our previous results by confirming that changes in the mechanical threshold are associated with changes in peripheral DOP profile. It also highlights the common impact on DOP receptors between serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors such as duloxetine and the β2 mimetic formoterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhian Alice Ceredig
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Florian Pierre
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphane Doridot
- Chronobiotron, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Unai Alduntzin
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre Hener
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Salvat
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Centre d'Evaluation et de Traitement de la Douleur, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ipek Yalcin
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Illkirch, France
| | - Michel Barrot
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Massotte
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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17
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Zhang Y, Yuan L, Chen Y, Lin C, Ye G. Oxyntomodulin attenuates TNF‑α induced neuropathic pain by inhibiting the activation of the NF‑κB pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:5223-5228. [PMID: 31661136 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is rarely diagnosed. Oxyntomodulin is peripherally and centrally distributed; however, the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of oxyntomodulin in attenuating nociception remain unclear; thus, we aimed to explore them in the present study. A neuropathic pain model in male C57BL/6 mice was induced by intrathecal injection of tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), and the duration of nociceptive behavioral responses was measured with a stop‑watch timer within 30 min. Western blotting was used to explore the protein levels of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule‑1 (IBA1), nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) phosphorylated‑p65, interleukin (IL)‑6 and IL‑1β. We performed reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL‑6 and IL‑1β, respectively. An MTT assay was conducted to detect BV2 cell viability. Oxyntomodulin was observed to attenuate TNF‑α‑induced pain hypersensitivity in mice, as well as the expression of IBA1, NF‑κB p‑p65, IL‑6 and IL‑1β in the spinal cord. Oxyntomodulin exhibited no cytotoxicity on BV2 cells, and attenuated TNF‑α‑induced IL‑6 and IL‑1β production and release in BV2 cells and culture medium, respectively. Collectively, we proposed oxyntomodulin to attenuate TNF‑α induced neuropathic pain associated with the release of glial cytokines IL‑6 and IL‑1β via inhibiting the activation of the NF‑κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Liyong Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Yuebo Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Guangyao Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
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18
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Turnaturi R, Chiechio S, Salerno L, Rescifina A, Pittalà V, Cantarella G, Tomarchio E, Parenti C, Pasquinucci L. Progress in the development of more effective and safer analgesics for pain management. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111701. [PMID: 31550662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioid analgesics have been used for thousands of years in the treatment of pain and related disorders, and have become among the most widely prescribed medications. Among opioid analgesics, mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are the most commonly used and are indicated for acute and chronic pain management. However, their use results in a plethora of well-described side-effects. From selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) and kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists to multitarget MOR/DOR and MOR/KOR ligands, medicinal chemistry provided different approaches aimed at the development of opioid analgesics with an improved pharmacological and tolerability fingerprint. The emergent medicinal chemistry strategy to develop ameliorated opioid analgesics is based upon the concept that functional selectivity for G-protein signalling is necessary for the therapeutic effect, whether β-arrestin recruitment is mainly responsible for the manifestation of side effects, including the development of tolerance after repeated administrations. This review summarises most relevant biased MOR, DOR, KOR and multitarget MOR/DOR ligands synthesised in the last decade and their pharmacological profile in "in vitro" and "in vivo" studies. Such biased ligands could have a significant impact on modern drug discovery and represent a new strategy for the development of better-tolerated drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug Sciences, Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
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19
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Caraci F, Merlo S, Drago F, Caruso G, Parenti C, Sortino MA. Rescue of Noradrenergic System as a Novel Pharmacological Strategy in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Focus on Microglia Activation. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1024. [PMID: 31572196 PMCID: PMC6751320 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Different types of pain can evolve toward a chronic condition characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia, with an abnormal response to normal or even innocuous stimuli, respectively. A key role in endogenous analgesia is recognized to descending noradrenergic pathways that originate from the locus coeruleus and project to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Impairment of this system is associated with pain chronicization. More recently, activation of glial cells, in particular microglia, toward a pro-inflammatory state has also been implicated in the transition from acute to chronic pain. Both α2- and β2-adrenergic receptors are expressed in microglia, and their activation leads to acquisition of an anti-inflammatory phenotype. This review analyses in more detail the interconnection between descending noradrenergic system and neuroinflammation, focusing on drugs that, by rescuing the noradrenergic control, exert also an anti-inflammatory effect, ultimately leading to analgesia. More specifically, the potential efficacy in the treatment of neuropathic pain of different drugs will be analyzed. On one side, drugs acting as inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline, such as duloxetine and venlafaxine, and on the other, tapentadol, inhibitor of the reuptake of noradrenaline, and agonist of the µ-opioid receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Sara Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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20
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Emery MA, Eitan S. Members of the same pharmacological family are not alike: Different opioids, different consequences, hope for the opioid crisis? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:428-449. [PMID: 30790677 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Pain management is the specialized medical practice of modulating pain perception and thus easing the suffering and improving the life quality of individuals suffering from painful conditions. Since this requires the modulation of the activity of endogenous systems involved in pain perception, and given the large role that the opioidergic system plays in pain perception, opioids are currently the most effective pain treatment available and are likely to remain relevant for the foreseeable future. This contributes to the rise in opioid use, misuse, and overdose death, which is currently characterized by public health officials in the United States as an epidemic. Historically, the majority of preclinical rodent studies were focused on morphine. This has resulted in our understanding of opioids in general being highly biased by our knowledge of morphine specifically. However, recent in vitro studies suggest that direct extrapolation of research findings from morphine to other opioids is likely to be flawed. Notably, these studies suggest that different opioid analgesics (opioid agonists) engage different downstream signaling effects within the cell, despite binding to and activating the same receptors. This recognition implies that, in contrast to the historical status quo, different opioids cannot be made equivalent by merely dose adjustment. Notably, even at equianalgesic doses, different opioids could result in different beneficial and risk outcomes. In order to foster further translational research regarding drug-specific differences among opioids, here we review basic research elucidating differences among opioids in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, their capacity for second messenger pathway activation, and their interactions with the immune system and the dopamine D2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Emery
- Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4235 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX, USA
| | - Shoshana Eitan
- Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4235 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX, USA.
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21
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Vicario N, Pasquinucci L, Spitale FM, Chiechio S, Turnaturi R, Caraci F, Tibullo D, Avola R, Gulino R, Parenti R, Parenti C. Simultaneous Activation of Mu and Delta Opioid Receptors Reduces Allodynia and Astrocytic Connexin 43 in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7338-7354. [PMID: 31030416 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1607-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition triggered by lesions to the somatosensory nervous system in which pain stimuli occur spontaneously or as pathologically amplified responses. In this scenario, the exchange of signaling molecules throughout cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular environment communications plays a key role in the transition from acute to chronic pain. As such, connexin 43 (Cx43), the core glial gap junction and hemichannel-forming protein, is considered a triggering factor for disease chronicization in the central nervous system (CNS). Drugs targeting μ opioid receptors (MOR) are currently used for moderate to severe pain conditions, but their use in chronic pain is limited by the tolerability profile. δ opioid receptors (DOR) have become attractive targets for the treatment of persistent pain and have been associated with the inhibition of pain-sustaining factors. Moreover, it has been shown that simultaneous targeting of MOR and DOR leads to an improved pharmacological fingerprint. Herein, we aimed to study the effects of the benzomorphan ligand LP2, a multitarget MOR/DOR agonist, in an experimental model of neuropathic pain induced by the unilateral sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) on male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results showed that LP2 significantly ameliorated mechanical allodynia from the early phase of treatment up to 21 days post-ligatures. We additionally showed that LP2 prevented CCI-induced Cx43 alterations and pro-apoptotic signaling in the CNS. These findings increase the knowledge of neuropathic pain development and the role of spinal astrocytic Cx43, suggesting new approaches for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Vicario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica M Spitale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018, Troina, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018, Troina, Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Avola
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Gulino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy
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22
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Gulino R, Vicario N, Giunta MAS, Spoto G, Calabrese G, Vecchio M, Gulisano M, Leanza G, Parenti R. Neuromuscular Plasticity in a Mouse Neurotoxic Model of Spinal Motoneuronal Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061500. [PMID: 30917493 PMCID: PMC6471664 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the relevant research efforts, the causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are still unknown and no effective cure is available. Many authors suggest that ALS is a multi-system disease caused by a network failure instead of a cell-autonomous pathology restricted to motoneurons. Although motoneuronal loss is the critical hallmark of ALS given their specific vulnerability, other cell populations, including muscle and glial cells, are involved in disease onset and progression, but unraveling their specific role and crosstalk requires further investigation. In particular, little is known about the plastic changes of the degenerating motor system. These spontaneous compensatory processes are unable to halt the disease progression, but their elucidation and possible use as a therapeutic target represents an important aim of ALS research. Genetic animal models of disease represent useful tools to validate proven hypotheses or to test potential therapies, and the conception of novel hypotheses about ALS causes or the study of pathogenic mechanisms may be advantaged by the use of relatively simple in vivo models recapitulating specific aspects of the disease, thus avoiding the inclusion of too many confounding factors in an experimental setting. Here, we used a neurotoxic model of spinal motoneuron depletion induced by injection of cholera toxin-B saporin in the gastrocnemius muscle to investigate the possible occurrence of compensatory changes in both the muscle and spinal cord. The results showed that, following the lesion, the skeletal muscle became atrophic and displayed electromyographic activity similar to that observed in ALS patients. Moreover, the changes in muscle fiber morphology were different from that observed in ALS models, thus suggesting that some muscular effects of disease may be primary effects instead of being simply caused by denervation. Notably, we found plastic changes in the surviving motoneurons that can produce a functional restoration probably similar to the compensatory changes occurring in disease. These changes could be at least partially driven by glutamatergic signaling, and astrocytes contacting the surviving motoneurons may support this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Gulino
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Nunzio Vicario
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Maria A S Giunta
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Graziana Spoto
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Calabrese
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Michele Vecchio
- Rehabilitation Unit, "AOU Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele" and Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Massimo Gulisano
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy.
| | - Giampiero Leanza
- Laboratory of Neurogenesis and Repair, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
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23
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Pasquinucci L, Turnaturi R, Montenegro L, Caraci F, Chiechio S, Parenti C. Simultaneous targeting of MOR/DOR: A useful strategy for inflammatory pain modulation. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 847:97-102. [PMID: 30690004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Development of new analgesics endowed with mu/delta opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) activity represents a promising alternative to MOR selective compounds because of their better therapeutic and tolerability profile. Lately, we have synthetized the MOR/DOR agonist LP2 that showed a long lasting antinociceptive activity in the tail flick test, an acute pain model. Here, we investigate whether LP2 is also effective in the mouse formalin test, a model of inflammatory pain sustained by mechanisms of central sensitization. Moreover, we evaluated a possible peripheral component of LP2 analgesic activity. Different doses of LP2 were tested after either intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intraplantar (i.pl.) administration. LP2 (0.75-1.00 mg/kg, i.p.), dose-dependently, counteracted both phases of the formalin test after i.p. administration. The analgesic activity of LP2 (0.75-1.00 mg/kg) was completely blocked by a pretreatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Differently, the pretreatment with naloxone methiodide (5 mg/kg, i.p.), a peripherally restricted opioid antagonist, completely blocked the lower analgesic dose of LP2 (0.75 mg/kg) but only partially relieved the antinociceptive effects of LP2 at the dose of 1.00 mg/kg, thus revealing a peripheral analgesic component of LP2. I.pl. injections of LP2 (10-20 μg/10 μl) were also performed to investigate a possible effect of LP2 on peripheral nerve terminals. Nociceptive sensitization, which occur both at peripheral and central level, is a fundamental step for pain chronicization, thus LP2 is a promising drug for pain conditions characterized by nociceptive sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Lucia Montenegro
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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24
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Selectivity profiling of NOP, MOP, DOP and KOP receptor antagonists in the rat spinal nerve ligation model of mononeuropathic pain. Eur J Pharmacol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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25
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Qin X, Qiao H, Wu S, Cheng J, Wan Q, Liu R. Curcumin Inhibits Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Expression in TNF-α induced Astrocytes Through AMPK Pathway. Neurochem Res 2018; 43:775-784. [PMID: 29460119 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-2479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin, a phenolic pigment, plays an inhibitory role in astrocytes activation, a key step for neuropathic pain (NP). The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism behind the therapeutic effect of Curcumin on NP in vitro. Specifically, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Curcumin on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced astrocyte migration. We also studied the effects of Curcumin on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) expression and activity, as well as super oxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) expression and activity in TNF-α-induced astrocytes. Additionally, we investigated whether the adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling (AMPK) pathway was involved in this process. Our data demonstrated that Curcumin inhibited TNF-α-induced astrocytes migration, decreased MCP-1 expression, and up-regulated SOD2 expression in TNF-α-induced astrocytes in vitro. Our study also indicated that this process was mediated through the AMPK signaling pathway, as addition of Curcumin significantly increased the level of phosphorylated AMPK protein. Furthermore, the specific AMPK activator AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-D-ribofuranoside) mimicked the effects of Curcumin, whereas a selective AMPK inhibitor Compound C (also called dorsomorphin) partially blocked its function. These results could shed light on understanding of the molecular basis for the inhibition of Curcumin on MCP-1 expression during the process of astrocyte activation, and provide a molecular mechanism for using Curcumin in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingping Qin
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University School of Medicine, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Rd, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Haowen Qiao
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University School of Medicine, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Songlin Wu
- Department of Geriatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Rd, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University School of Medicine, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University School of Medicine, 185 Donghu Street, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Renzhong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Rd, Wuhan, 430060, China.
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26
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Development of novel LP1-based analogues with enhanced delta opioid receptor profile. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:4745-4752. [PMID: 28734666 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pain relief achieved by co-administration of drugs acting at different targets is more effective than that obtained with conventional MOR selective agonists usually associated to relevant side effects. It has been demonstrated that simultaneously targeting different opioid receptors is a more effective therapeutic strategy. Giving the promising role for DOR in pain management, novel LP1-based analogues with different N-substituents were designed and synthesized with the aim to improve DOR profile. For this purpose, we maintained the phenyl ring in the N-substituent of 6,7-benzomorphan scaffold linked to an ethyl spacer bearing a hydroxyl/methyl or methoxyl group at carbon 2 or including it in a 1,4-benzodioxane ring. LP1 analogues were tested by competition binding assays. Compounds 6 (KiMOR=2.47nM, KiDOR=9.6nM), 7 (KiMOR=0.5nM and KiDOR=0.8nM) and 9 (KiMOR=1.08nM, KiDOR=6.6nM) retained MOR affinity but displayed an improved DOR binding capacity as compared to LP1 (KiMOR=0.83nM, KiDOR=29.1nM). Moreover, GPI and MVD functional assays indicated that compounds 6 (IC50=49.2 and IC50=10.8nM), 7 (IC50=9.9 and IC50=11.8nM) and 9 (IC50=21.5 and IC50=4.4nM) showed a MOR/DOR agonist profile, unlike LP1 that was a MOR agonist/DOR antagonist (IC50=1.9 and IC50=1240nM). Measurements of their antinociceptive effect was evaluated by mice radiant tail flick test displaying for compounds 6, 7 and 9 ED50 values of 1.3, 1.0 and 0.9mg/kg, i.p., respectively. Moreover, the antinociceptive effect of compound 9 was longer lasting with respect to LP1. In conclusion the N-substituent nature of compounds 6, 7 and 9 shifts the DOR profile of LP1 from antagonism to agonism.
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