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Jaleh Z, Rahimi B, Shahrezaei A, Sohani M, Sagen J, Nasirinezhad F. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells-derived conditioned medium: An In-depth Analysis of Pain Alleviation, Spinal CCL2 Levels, and Oxidative Stress. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01410-w. [PMID: 39031248 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01410-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition, remains a significant challenge due to the lack of effective therapeutic solutions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived conditioned medium in alleviating neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve compression injury in adult male rats. Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, nerve injury, nerve injury with intra-neural injection of conditioned medium, and nerve injury with intra-neural injection of culture medium. Following sciatic nerve compression, the respective groups received either 10 µl of conditioned medium from amniotic fluid-derived stem cells or an equal volume of control culture medium. Behavioral tests for cold allodynia, mechanical allodynia, and thermal hyperalgesia were conducted, and the spinal cord was analyzed using Western Blot and oxidative stress assays. The behavioral experiments showed a decrease in mechanical hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in the group receiving conditioned medium compared to the injury group and the control medium group. Western blot data revealed a decrease in the expression of the CCL2 protein and an increase in GAD65. Oxidative stress tests also showed increased levels of SOD and glutathione in conditioned media-treated animals compared to animals with nerve injury. The findings suggest that conditioned medium derived from amniotic fluid-derived stem cells can effectively reduce neuropathic pain, potentially through the provision of supportive factors that mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation in the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Jaleh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran Univerisity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnaz Rahimi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran Univerisity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aidin Shahrezaei
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sohani
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jacqueline Sagen
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Farinaz Nasirinezhad
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran Univerisity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Center of Experimental and Comparative Study, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Xu L, Wang Y, Jiao Y, Huang Y, Xu R, Gu X, Zhang W, Ma Z. Involvement of Spinal Neuroplastin 65 in Neuropathic Pain by GABAA Receptor α2 Subunit Regulation. Anesth Analg 2024:00000539-990000000-00797. [PMID: 38507554 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain (NP) is a highly challenging condition with complex pathological mechanisms, and the spinal gamma aminobutyric acid A receptor receptor plays a crucial role in its progression. Recent studies have revealed a potential interaction between neuroplastin 65 (NP65) and gamma aminobutyric acid A receptor α2 subunit (GABAAR-α2) on the cell surface. We hypothesize that NP65 is involved in the pathogenesis of NP by regulating the level of GABAAR-α2. METHODS A chronic constrictive injury (CCI) pain model was established in male Sprague-Dawley rats to verify the change in spinal NP65 expression. Alterations in pain behavior and GABAAR-α2 protein expression were observed after intrathecal injection of NP65 overexpressing adeno-associated virus (AAV) in CCI rats. In vitro investigations on Neuroblastoma 2a cells, the effect of NP65 on GABAAR-α2 expression via the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-cell 4 (CaN-NFATc4) signaling pathway was evaluated by manipulating NP65 expression. RESULTS The expression level of NP65 protein and mRNA in the CCI group were significantly decreased (P < .05; analysis of variance [ANOVA]). After intrathecal injection of NP65, overexpression of AAV and pain behavior in CCI rats were significantly alleviated, and levels of GABAAR-α2 were upregulated. In vitro experiments verified alterations in the expression of GABAAR-α2, CaN, and phosphorylated NFATc4 on the application of NP65 with plasmid or small interfering RNA, respectively. After the application of the specific CaN inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA), the changes in NP65 expression did not produce subsequent alterations in the expression of GABAAR-α2, CaN, or phosphorylated NFATc4 proteins. CONCLUSIONS NP65 modulates the level of GABAAR-α2 through the CaN-NFATc4 signaling pathway, which may serve as the underlying mechanism of NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulin Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoping Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengliang Ma
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Krstic B, Selakovic D, Jovicic N, Krstic M, Katanic Stankovic JS, Rosic S, Milovanovic D, Rosic G. Complex Hippocampal Response to Thermal Skin Injury and Protocols with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Filipendula ulmaria Extract in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3033. [PMID: 38474277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations of the hippocampal function that may be related to anxiogenic response to thermal skin injury, including the morpho-functional alterations, and the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and Filipendula ulmaria (FU) extract in the treatment of anxiety-like behavior that coincides with thermal skin injury. A rat thermal skin injury experimental model was performed on 2-month-old male Wistar albino rats. The evaluated therapeutic protocols included HBO and/or antioxidant supplementation. HBO was applied for 7 days in the hyperbaric chamber (100% O2, 2.5 ATA, 60 min). Oral administration of FU extract (final concentration of 100 mg/kg b.w.) to achieve antioxidant supplementation was also applied for 7 days. Anxiety level was estimated in the open field and elevated plus-maze test, which was followed by anesthesia, sacrifice, and collection of hippocampal tissue samples. HBO treatment and FU supplementation significantly abolished anxiogenic response to thermal skin injury. This beneficial effect was accompanied by the reduction in hippocampal pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic indicators, and enhanced BDNF and GABA-ARα2S gene expression, previously observed in untreated burns. The hippocampal relative gene expression of melatonin receptors and NPY positively responded to the applied protocols, in the same manner as µ and δ opioid receptors, while the opposite response was observed for κ receptors. The results of this study provide some confirmations that adjuvant strategies, such as HBO and antioxidant supplementation, may be simultaneously applied in the treatment of the anxiety-like behavior that coincides with thermal skin injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Krstic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragica Selakovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nemanja Jovicic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Milos Krstic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jelena S Katanic Stankovic
- Department of Science, Institute for Information Technologies Kragujevac, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Sara Rosic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragan Milovanovic
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Gvozden Rosic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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Ferrari S, Mulè S, Galla R, Brovero A, Genovese G, Molinari C, Uberti F. Effects of Nutraceutical Compositions Containing Rhizoma Gastrodiae or Lipoic Acid in an In Vitro Induced Neuropathic Pain Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2376. [PMID: 38397054 PMCID: PMC10889561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral neuropathy is caused by a malfunction in the axons and myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves and motor and sensory neurons. In this context, nonpharmacological treatments with antioxidant potential have attracted much attention due to the issues that some conventional pharmaceutical therapy can generate. Most of these treatments contain lipoic acid, but issues have emerged regarding its use. Considering this, the present study evaluated the beneficial effects of nutraceuticals based on Gastrodiae elata dry extract 10:1 or lipoic acid in combination with other substances (such as citicholine, B vitamins, and acetyl L-carnitine). METHOD To assess the combination's absorption and biodistribution and exclude cytotoxicity, its bioavailability was first examined in a 3D intestinal barrier model that replicated oral ingestion. Subsequently, a 3D model of nerve tissue was constructed to investigate the impacts of the new combination on the significant pathways dysregulated in peripheral neuropathy. RESULTS Our findings show that the novel combination outperformed in initial pain relief response and in recovering the mechanism of nerve healing following Schwann cell injury by successfully crossing the gut barrier and reaching the target site. CONCLUSION This article describes a potential alternative nutraceutical approach supporting the effectiveness of combinations with Gastrodiae elata extract in decreasing neuropathy and regulating pain pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ferrari
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Simone Mulè
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Rebecca Galla
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Noivita Srls, Spin-Off, Via Alfieri 3, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Arianna Brovero
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università Degli Studi di Torino, 10043 Torino, Italy;
| | - Giulia Genovese
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Claudio Molinari
- Dipartimento per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile e la Transizione Ecologica, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy;
| | - Francesca Uberti
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
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Peier F, Mouthon M, De Pretto M, Chabwine JN. Response to experimental cold-induced pain discloses a resistant category among endurance athletes, with a distinct profile of pain-related behavior and GABAergic EEG markers: a case-control preliminary study. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1287233. [PMID: 38287989 PMCID: PMC10822956 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1287233] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is a major public health problem worldwide, with a high rate of treatment failure. Among promising non-pharmacological therapies, physical exercise is an attractive, cheap, accessible and innocuous method; beyond other health benefits. However, its highly variable therapeutic effect and incompletely understood underlying mechanisms (plausibly involving the GABAergic neurotransmission) require further research. This case-control study aimed to investigate the impact of long-lasting intensive endurance sport practice (≥7 h/week for the last 6 months at the time of the experiment) on the response to experimental cold-induced pain (as a suitable chronic pain model), assuming that highly trained individual would better resist to pain, develop advantageous pain-copying strategies and enhance their GABAergic signaling. For this purpose, clinical pain-related data, response to a cold-pressor test and high-density EEG high (Hβ) and low beta (Lβ) oscillations were documented. Among 27 athletes and 27 age-adjusted non-trained controls (right-handed males), a category of highly pain-resistant participants (mostly athletes, 48.1%) was identified, displaying lower fear of pain, compared to non-resistant non-athletes. Furthermore, they tolerated longer cold-water immersion and perceived lower maximal sensory pain. However, while having similar Hβ and Lβ powers at baseline, they exhibited a reduction between cold and pain perceptions and between pain threshold and tolerance (respectively -60% and - 6.6%; -179.5% and - 5.9%; normalized differences), in contrast to the increase noticed in non-resistant non-athletes (+21% and + 14%; +23.3% and + 13.6% respectively). Our results suggest a beneficial effect of long-lasting physical exercise on resistance to pain and pain-related behaviors, and a modification in brain GABAergic signaling. In light of the current knowledge, we propose that the GABAergic neurotransmission could display multifaceted changes to be differently interpreted, depending on the training profile and on the homeostatic setting (e.g., in pain-free versus chronic pain conditions). Despite limitations related to the sample size and to absence of direct observations under acute physical exercise, this precursory study brings into light the unique profile of resistant individuals (probably favored by training) allowing highly informative observation on physical exercise-induced analgesia and paving the way for future clinical translation. Further characterizing pain-resistant individuals would open avenues for a targeted and physiologically informed pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Peier
- Laboratory for Neurorehabilitation Science, Medicine Section, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michael Mouthon
- Laboratory for Neurorehabilitation Science, Medicine Section, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michael De Pretto
- Laboratory for Neurorehabilitation Science, Medicine Section, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Joelle Nsimire Chabwine
- Laboratory for Neurorehabilitation Science, Medicine Section, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Fribourg-Cantonal Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Park SA, Nguyen TTP, Park SJ, Han SK. Naringenin modulates GABA mediated response in a sexdependent manner in substantia gelatinosa neurons of trigeminal subnucleus caudalis in immature mice. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 28:73-81. [PMID: 38154966 PMCID: PMC10762483 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2024.28.1.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The substantia gelatinosa (SG) within the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is recognized as a pivotal site of integrating and modulating afferent fibers carrying orofacial nociceptive information. Although naringenin (4',5,7-thrihydroxyflavanone), a natural bioflavonoid, has been proven to possess various biological effects in the central nervous system (CNS), the activity of naringenin at the orofacial nociceptive site has not been reported yet. In this study, we explored the influence of naringenin on GABA response in SG neurons of Vc using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The application of GABA in a bath induced two forms of GABA responses: slow and fast. Naringenin enhanced both amplitude and area under curve (AUC) of GABA-mediated responses in 57% (12/21) of tested neurons while decreasing both parameters in 33% (7/21) of neurons. The enhancing or suppressing effect of naringenin on GABA response have been observed, with enhancement occurring when the GABA response was slow, and suppression when it was fast. Furthermore, both the enhancement of slower GABA responses and the suppression of faster GABA responses by naringenin were concentration dependent. Interestingly, the nature of GABA response was also found to be sex-dependent. A majority of SG neurons from juvenile female mice exhibited slower GABA responses, whereas those from juvenile males predominantly displayed faster GABA responses. Taken together, this study indicates that naringenin plays a partial role in modulating orofacial nociception and may hold promise as a therapeutic target for treating orofacial pain, with effects that vary according to sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ah Park
- Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry & Institute of Oral Bioscience, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
| | - Thao Thi Phuong Nguyen
- Faculty of Odonto – Stomatology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 53000, Vietnam
| | - Soo Joung Park
- Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry & Institute of Oral Bioscience, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
| | - Seong Kyu Han
- Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry & Institute of Oral Bioscience, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
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Cui X, Qin B, Xia C, Li H, Li Z, Li Z, Nasir A, Bai Q. Transcriptome-wide analysis of trigeminal ganglion and subnucleus caudalis in a mouse model of chronic constriction injury-induced trigeminal neuralgia. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1230633. [PMID: 37841912 PMCID: PMC10568182 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1230633] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) induces mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, which are known to alter gene expression in injured dorsal root ganglia primary sensory neurons. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been linked to TNP. However, the functional mechanism underlying TNP and the expression profile of ncRNAs in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Sp5C) are still unknown. We used RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to examine the TG and Sp5C transcriptomes after infraorbital nerve chronic constrictive injury (IoN-CCI). The robust changes in the gene expression of lncRNAs, circRNAs, and mRNAs were observed within the TG and Sp5C from mice that underwent IoN-CCI and the sham-operated mice (day 7). In total, 111,003 lncRNAs were found in TG and 107,157 in Sp5C; 369 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in TG, and 279 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in Sp5C. In addition, 13,216 circRNAs in TG and 21,658 circRNAs in Sp5C were identified, with 1,155 circRNAs and 2,097 circRNAs differentially expressed in TG and Sp5C, respectively. Furthermore, 5,205 DE mRNAs in TG and 3,934 DE mRNAs in Sp5C were differentially expressed between IoN-CCI and sham groups. The study revealed a high correlation of pain-related differentially expressed genes in the TG and Sp5C to anxiety, depression, inflammation, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that binding-related molecular functions and membrane-related cell components were significantly enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis shows the most significant enrichments in neurogenesis, nervous system development, neuron differentiation, adrenergic signaling, cAMP signaling, MAPK signaling, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis showed that hub genes were implicated in neuropeptide signaling pathways. Functional analysis of DE ncRNA-targeting genes was mostly enriched with nociception-related signaling pathways underpinning TNP. Our findings suggest that ncRNAs are involved in TNP development and open new avenues for research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Cui
- Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Qin
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chaoyun Xia
- Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hong Li
- Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhiye Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhisong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Abdul Nasir
- Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qian Bai
- Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Gustin SM, Bolding M, Willoughby W, Anam M, Shum C, Rumble D, Mark VW, Mitchell L, Cowan RE, Richardson E, Richards S, Trost Z. Cortical Mechanisms Underlying Immersive Interactive Virtual Walking Treatment for Amelioration of Neuropathic Pain after Spinal Cord Injury: Findings from a Preliminary Investigation of Thalamic Inhibitory Function. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5743. [PMID: 37685810 PMCID: PMC10488675 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175743] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) affects approximately 60% of individuals with SCI. Effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments remain elusive. We recently demonstrated that our immersive virtual reality walking intervention (VRWalk) may be effective for SCI NP. Additionally, we found that SCI NP may result from a decrease in thalamic γ-aminobutyric-acid (GABA), which disturbs central sensorimotor processing. OBJECTIVE While we identified GABAergic changes associated with SCI NP, a critical outstanding question is whether a decrease in SCI NP generated by our VRWalk intervention causes GABA content to rise. METHOD A subset of participants (n = 7) of our VRWalk trial underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy pre- and post-VRWalk intervention to determine if the decrease in SCI NP is associated with an increase in thalamic GABA. RESULTS The findings revealed a significant increase in thalamic GABA content from pre- to post-VRWalk treatment. CONCLUSION While the current findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, pre- to post-VRWalk reductions in SCI NP may be mediated by pre- to post-treatment increases in thalamic GABA by targeting and normalizing maladaptive sensorimotor cortex reorganization. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of pain recovery can serve to validate the efficacy of home-based VR walking treatment as a means of managing pain following SCI. Neuromodulatory interventions aimed at increasing thalamic inhibitory function may provide more effective pain relief than currently available treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M. Gustin
- NeuroRecovery Research Hub, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney 2031, Australia
| | - Mark Bolding
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - William Willoughby
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Monima Anam
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA (L.M.)
| | - Corey Shum
- Immersive Experience Laboratories LLC, Birmingham, AL 35203, USA
| | - Deanna Rumble
- Department of Psychology and Counseling, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035, USA
| | - Victor W. Mark
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Lucie Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA (L.M.)
| | - Rachel E. Cowan
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Elizabeth Richardson
- Department of Behavioral & Social Sciences, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL 35115, USA
| | - Scott Richards
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Zina Trost
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Kim JK, Park EJ, Jo EK. Itaconate, Arginine, and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid: A Host Metabolite Triad Protective Against Mycobacterial Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:832015. [PMID: 35185924 PMCID: PMC8855927 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.832015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune metabolic regulation shapes the host-pathogen interaction during infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the pathogen of human tuberculosis (TB). Several immunometabolites generated by metabolic remodeling in macrophages are implicated in innate immune protection against Mtb infection by fine-tuning defensive pathways. Itaconate, produced by the mitochondrial enzyme immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1), has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, restricting intracellular mycobacterial growth. L-arginine, a component of the urea cycle, is critical for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and is implicated in M1-mediated antimycobacterial responses in myeloid cells. L-citrulline, a by-product of NO production, contributes to host defense and generates L-arginine in myeloid cells. In arginase 1-expressing cells, L-arginine can be converted into ornithine, a polyamine precursor that enhances autophagy and antimicrobial protection against Mtb in Kupffer cells. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a metabolite and neurotransmitter, activate autophagy to induce antimycobacterial host defenses. This review discusses the recent updates of the functions of the three metabolites in host protection against mycobacterial infection. Understanding the mechanisms by which these metabolites promote host defense will facilitate the development of novel host-directed therapeutics against Mtb and drug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Kyung Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
- Infection Control Convergence Research Center, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Park
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
- Infection Control Convergence Research Center, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eun-Kyeong Jo
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
- Infection Control Convergence Research Center, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Eun-Kyeong Jo,
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Hornung RS, Raut NGR, Cantu DJ, Lockhart LM, Averitt DL. Sigma-1 receptors and progesterone metabolizing enzymes in nociceptive sensory neurons of the female rat trigeminal ganglia: A neural substrate for the antinociceptive actions of progesterone. Mol Pain 2022; 18:17448069211069255. [PMID: 35040378 PMCID: PMC8777333 DOI: 10.1177/17448069211069255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Orofacial pain disorders are predominately experienced by women. Progesterone, a major ovarian hormone, is neuroprotective and antinociceptive. We recently reported that progesterone attenuates estrogen-exacerbated orofacial pain behaviors, yet it remains unclear what anatomical substrate underlies progesterone's activity in the trigeminal system. Progesterone has been reported to exert protective effects through actions at intracellular progesterone receptors (iPR), membrane-progesterone receptors (mPR), or sigma 1 receptors (Sig-1R). Of these, the iPR and Sig-1R have been reported to have a role in pain. Progesterone can also have antinociceptive effects through its metabolite, allopregnanolone. Two enzymes, 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD), are required for the metabolism of progesterone to allopregnanolone. Both progesterone and allopregnanolone rapidly attenuate pain sensitivity, implicating action of either progesterone at Sig-1R and/or conversion to allopregnanolone which targets GABAA receptors. In the present study, we investigated whether Sig-1 Rs are expressed in nociceptors within the trigeminal ganglia of cycling female rats and whether the two enzymes required for progesterone metabolism to allopregnanolone, 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, are also present. Adult female rats from each stage of the estrous cycle were rapidly decapitated and the trigeminal ganglia collected. Trigeminal ganglia were processed by either fluorescent immunochemistry or western blotting to for visualization and quantification of Sig-1R, 5α-reductase, and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Here we report that Sig-1Rs and both enzymes involved in progesterone metabolism are highly expressed in a variety of nociceptive sensory neuron populations in the female rat trigeminal ganglia at similar levels across the four stages of the estrous cycle. These data indicate that trigeminal sensory neurons are an anatomical substrate for the reported antinociceptive activity of progesterone via Sig-1R and/or conversion to allopregnanolone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daisy J Cantu
- Division of Biology, School of the Sciences, Texas Woman’s
University, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Lauren M Lockhart
- Division of Biology, School of the Sciences, Texas Woman’s
University, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Dayna L Averitt
- Division of Biology, School of the Sciences, Texas Woman’s
University, Denton, TX, USA
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