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Cao B, Xu Q, Shi Y, Zhao R, Li H, Zheng J, Liu F, Wan Y, Wei B. Pathology of pain and its implications for therapeutic interventions. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:155. [PMID: 38851750 PMCID: PMC11162504 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01845-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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is estimated to affect more than 20% of the global population, imposing incalculable health and economic burdens. Effective pain management is crucial for individuals suffering from pain. However, the current methods for pain assessment and treatment fall short of clinical needs. Benefiting from advances in neuroscience and biotechnology, the neuronal circuits and molecular mechanisms critically involved in pain modulation have been elucidated. These research achievements have incited progress in identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this review, we first introduce fundamental knowledge about pain, setting the stage for the subsequent contents. The review next delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying pain disorders, including gene mutation, epigenetic modification, posttranslational modification, inflammasome, signaling pathways and microbiota. To better present a comprehensive view of pain research, two prominent issues, sexual dimorphism and pain comorbidities, are discussed in detail based on current findings. The status quo of pain evaluation and manipulation is summarized. A series of improved and innovative pain management strategies, such as gene therapy, monoclonal antibody, brain-computer interface and microbial intervention, are making strides towards clinical application. We highlight existing limitations and future directions for enhancing the quality of preclinical and clinical research. Efforts to decipher the complexities of pain pathology will be instrumental in translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice, thereby improving pain management from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Qixuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yajiao Shi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ruiyang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hanghang Li
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fengyu Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - You Wan
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Shen CL, Santos JM, Elmassry MM, Bhakta V, Driver Z, Ji G, Yakhnitsa V, Kiritoshi T, Lovett J, Hamood AN, Sang S, Neugebauer V. Ginger Polyphenols Reverse Molecular Signature of Amygdala Neuroimmune Signaling and Modulate Microbiome in Male Rats with Neuropathic Pain: Evidence for Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:502. [PMID: 38790607 PMCID: PMC11118883 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050502] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence shows that the gut microbiota plays an important role in neuropathic pain (NP) via the gut-brain axis. Male rats were divided into sham, spinal nerve ligation (SNL), SNL + 200 mg GEG/kg BW (GEG200), and SNL + 600 mg GEG/kg BW (GEG600) for 5 weeks. The dosages of 200 and 600 mg GEG/kg BW for rats correspond to 45 g and 135 g raw ginger for human daily consumption, respectively. Both GEG groups mitigated SNL-induced NP behavior. GEG-supplemented animals had a decreased abundance of Rikenella, Muribaculaceae, Clostridia UCG-014, Mucispirillum schaedleri, RF39, Acetatifactor, and Clostridia UCG-009, while they had an increased abundance of Flavonifactor, Hungatella, Anaerofustis stercorihominis, and Clostridium innocuum group. Relative to sham rats, Fos and Gadd45g genes were upregulated, while Igf1, Ccl2, Hadc2, Rtn4rl1, Nfkb2, Gpr84, Pik3cg, and Abcc8 genes were downregulated in SNL rats. Compared to the SNL group, the GEG200 group and GEG600 group had increases/decreases in 16 (10/6) genes and 11 (1/10) genes, respectively. GEG downregulated Fos and Gadd45g genes and upregulated Hdac2 genes in the amygdala. In summary, GEG alleviates NP by modulating the gut microbiome and reversing a molecular neuroimmune signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chwan-Li Shen
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (J.M.S.)
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Julianna Maria Santos
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (J.M.S.)
| | - Moamen M. Elmassry
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Viren Bhakta
- Department of Biology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79401, USA
| | - Zarek Driver
- Department of Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79401, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (G.J.); (V.Y.); (T.K.)
| | - Vadim Yakhnitsa
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (G.J.); (V.Y.); (T.K.)
| | - Takaki Kiritoshi
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (G.J.); (V.Y.); (T.K.)
| | - Jacob Lovett
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (J.M.S.)
| | - Abdul Naji Hamood
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
| | - Shengmin Sang
- Laboratory for Functional Foods and Human Health, Center for Excellence in Post Harvest Technologies, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA;
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (G.J.); (V.Y.); (T.K.)
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Palamarchuk IS, Slavich GM, Vaillancourt T, Rajji TK. Stress-related cellular pathophysiology as a crosstalk risk factor for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:65. [PMID: 38087196 PMCID: PMC10714507 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we examine biological processes linking psychological stress and cognition, with a focus on how psychological stress can activate multiple neurobiological mechanisms that drive cognitive decline and behavioral change. First, we describe the general neurobiology of the stress response to define neurocognitive stress reactivity. Second, we review aspects of epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, sex hormones, photoperiodic plasticity, and psychoneuroimmunological processes that can contribute to cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric conditions. Third, we explain mechanistic processes linking the stress response and neuropathology. Fourth, we discuss molecular nuances such as an interplay between kinases and proteins, as well as differential role of sex hormones, that can increase vulnerability to cognitive and emotional dysregulation following stress. Finally, we explicate several testable hypotheses for stress, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric research. Together, this work highlights how stress processes alter neurophysiology on multiple levels to increase individuals' risk for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, and points toward novel therapeutic targets for mitigating these effects. The resulting models can thus advance dementia and mental health research, and translational neuroscience, with an eye toward clinical application in cognitive and behavioral neurology, and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Dou Z, Su N, Zhou Z, Mi A, Xu L, Zhou J, Sun S, Liu Y, Hao M, Li Z. Modulation of visceral pain by brain nuclei and brain circuits and the role of acupuncture: a narrative review. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1243232. [PMID: 38027491 PMCID: PMC10646320 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1243232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral pain is a complex and heterogeneous pain condition that is often associated with pain-related negative emotional states, including anxiety and depression, and can exert serious effects on a patient's physical and mental health. According to modeling stimulation protocols, the current animal models of visceral pain mainly include the mechanical dilatation model, the ischemic model, and the inflammatory model. Acupuncture can exert analgesic effects by integrating and interacting input signals from acupuncture points and the sites of pain in the central nervous system. The brain nuclei involved in regulating visceral pain mainly include the nucleus of the solitary tract, parabrachial nucleus (PBN), locus coeruleus (LC), rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and the amygdala. The neural circuits involved are PBN-amygdala, LC-RVM, amygdala-insula, ACC-amygdala, claustrum-ACC, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis-PVN and the PVN-ventral lateral septum circuit. Signals generated by acupuncture can modulate the central structures and interconnected neural circuits of multiple brain regions, including the medulla oblongata, cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus. This analgesic process also involves the participation of various neurotransmitters and/or receptors, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, glutamate, and enkephalin. In addition, acupuncture can regulate visceral pain by influencing functional connections between different brain regions and regulating glucose metabolism. However, there are still some limitations in the research efforts focusing on the specific brain mechanisms associated with the effects of acupuncture on the alleviation of visceral pain. Further animal experiments and clinical studies are now needed to improve our understanding of this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Dou
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Na Su
- First Clinical Medicine College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Ziyang Zhou
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Aoyue Mi
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Luyao Xu
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Jiazheng Zhou
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Sizhe Sun
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Yanyi Liu
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Mingyao Hao
- External Treatment Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
| | - Zhaofeng Li
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
- International Office, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji’nan, China
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Császár-Nagy N, Bókkon I. Hypnotherapy and IBS: Implicit, long-term stress memory in the ENS? Heliyon 2022; 9:e12751. [PMID: 36685398 PMCID: PMC9849985 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12751] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric and mood disorders may be more fundamental than was previously believed. Prenatal, perinatal, postnatal, and early-age conditions can have a key role in the development of IBS. Subthreshold mental disorders (SMDs) could also be a significant source of countless diverse diseases and may be a cause of IBS development. We hypothesize that stress-induced implicit memories may persist throughout life by epigenetic processes in the enteric nervous system (ENS). These stress-induced implicit memories may play an essential role in the emergence and maintenance of IBS. In recent decades, numerous studies have proven that hypnosis can improve the primary symptoms of IBS and also reduce noncolonic symptoms such as anxiety and depression and improve quality of life and cognitive function. These significant beneficial effects of hypnosis on IBS may be because hypnosis allows access to unconscious brain processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Császár-Nagy
- National University of Public Services, Budapest, Hungary,Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - I. Bókkon
- Psychosomatic Outpatient Clinics, Budapest, Hungary,Vision Research Institute, Neuroscience and Consciousness Research Department, Lowell, MA, USA,Corresponding author. H-1238, Budapest, Láng Endre 68, Hungary.
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Mauceri D. Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Chronic Pain. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162613. [PMID: 36010687 PMCID: PMC9406853 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is an unpleasant but essential-to-life sensation, usually resulting from tissue damage. When pain persists long after the injury has resolved, it becomes pathological. The precise molecular and cellular mechanisms causing the transition from acute to chronic pain are not fully understood. A key aspect of pain chronicity is that several plasticity events happen along the neural pathways involved in pain. These long-lasting adaptive changes are enabled by alteration in the expression of relevant genes. Among the different modulators of gene transcription in adaptive processes in the nervous system, epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role. In this review, I will first outline the main classes of epigenetic mediators and then discuss their implications in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Mauceri
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Park J, Lee K, Kim K, Yi SJ. The role of histone modifications: from neurodevelopment to neurodiseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:217. [PMID: 35794091 PMCID: PMC9259618 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression, play critical roles in cell differentiation and organ development through spatial and temporal gene regulation. Neurogenesis is a sophisticated and complex process by which neural stem cells differentiate into specialized brain cell types at specific times and regions of the brain. A growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications, allow the fine-tuning and coordination of spatiotemporal gene expressions during neurogenesis. Aberrant histone modifications contribute to the development of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Herein, recent progress in understanding histone modifications in regulating embryonic and adult neurogenesis is comprehensively reviewed. The histone modifications implicated in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases are also covered, and future directions in this area are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisu Park
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyubin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghwan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sun-Ju Yi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
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