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Condés-Lara M, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Espinosa de Los Monteros-Zúñiga A, López-Córdoba G, Córdova-Quiroga A, Flores-Bojórquez SA, González-Hernández A. Hypothalamic Paraventricular Stimulation Inhibits Nociceptive Wide Dynamic Range Trigeminocervical Complex Cells via Oxytocinergic Transmission. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1501232024. [PMID: 38438259 PMCID: PMC11044117 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1501-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocinergic transmission blocks nociception at the peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal levels through the oxytocin receptor (OTR). Indeed, a neuronal pathway from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the spinal cord and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5c) has been described. Hence, although the trigeminocervical complex (TCC), an anatomical area spanning the Sp5c, C1, and C2 regions, plays a role in some pain disorders associated with craniofacial structures (e.g., migraine), the role of oxytocinergic transmission in modulating nociception at this level has been poorly explored. Hence, in vivo electrophysiological recordings of TCC wide dynamic range (WDR) cells sensitive to stimulation of the periorbital or meningeal region were performed in male Wistar rats. PVN electrical stimulation diminished the neuronal firing evoked by periorbital or meningeal electrical stimulation; this inhibition was reversed by OTR antagonists administered locally. Accordingly, neuronal projections (using Fluoro-Ruby) from the PVN to the WDR cells filled with Neurobiotin were observed. Moreover, colocalization between OTR and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or OTR and GABA was found near Neurobiotin-filled WDR cells. Retrograde neuronal tracers deposited at the meningeal (True-Blue, TB) and infraorbital nerves (Fluoro-Gold, FG) showed that at the trigeminal ganglion (TG), some cells were immunopositive to both fluorophores, suggesting that some TG cells send projections via the V1 and V2 trigeminal branches. Together, these data may imply that endogenous oxytocinergic transmission inhibits the nociceptive activity of second-order neurons via OTR activation in CGRPergic (primary afferent fibers) and GABAergic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro CP 76230, México
| | | | | | - Gustavo López-Córdoba
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro CP 76230, México
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Salinas-Abarca AB, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. The role of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the in vivo spinal oxytocin-induced antinociception in male rats. Exp Neurol 2023; 363:114383. [PMID: 36921751 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin receptor (OTR) activation at the spinal level produces antinociception. Some data suggest that central OTR activation enhances social interaction via an increase of endocannabinoids (eCB), but we do not know if this could occur at the spinal level, modulating pain transmission. Considering that oxytocin via OTR stimulates diacylglycerol formation, a key intermediate in synthesizing 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), an eCB molecule, we sought to test the role of the eCB system on the spinal oxytocin-induced antinociception. Behavioral and electrophysiological experiments were conducted in naïve and formalin-treated (to induce long-term mechanical hypersensitivity) male Wistar rats. Intrathecal RHC 80267 injections, an inhibitor of the enzyme diacylglycerol lipase (thus, decreasing 2-AG formation), produces transient mechanical hypersensitivity, an effect unaltered by oxytocin but reversed by gabapentin. Similarly, in in vivo extracellular recordings of naïve spinal wide dynamic range cells, juxtacellular picoinjection of RHC 80267 increases the firing of nociceptive Aδ-, C-fibers, and post-discharge, an effect unaltered by oxytocin. Interestingly, in sensitized rats, oxytocin picoinjection reverses the RHC 80627-induced hyperactivity of Aδ-fibers (but not C- or post-discharge activity). In contrast, a sub-effective dose of JZL184 (a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, thus favoring 2-AG levels), which does not have per se an antinociceptive effect in the formalin-induced hypernociception, the oxytocin-induced antinociception is boosted. Similarly, electrophysiological experiments suggest that juxtacellular JZL184 diminishes the neuronal firing of nociceptive fibers, and co-injection with oxytocin prolongs and enhances the antinociceptive effect. These data may imply that 2-AG formation may play a role in the spinal antinociception induced by oxytocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Salinas-Abarca
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, Mexico; Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, 650 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, Mexico.
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, Mexico.
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, Mexico.
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López-Córdoba G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Lozano-Cuenca J, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. The differential in vivo contribution of spinal α 2A- and α 2C-adrenoceptors in tonic and acute evoked nociception in the rat. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1023611. [PMID: 36506544 PMCID: PMC9727263 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1023611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal α2-adrenoceptor induces analgesia by neuronal inhibition of primary afferent fibers. This family receptor coupled to G i/o proteins can be subdivided into three functional subtypes: α2A, α2B, and α2C-adrenoceptors, and current evidence on spinal analgesia supports the relevance of α2A and seems to exclude the role of α2B, but the functional contribution of α2C-adrenoceptors remains elusive. The present study was designed to pharmacologically dissect the contribution of spinal α2-adrenoceptor subtypes modulating tonic or acute peripheral nociception. Using male Wistar rats, we analyzed the effect of spinal clonidine (a non-selective α2A/α2B/α2C-adrenoceptor agonist) and/or selective subtype α2-adrenoceptor antagonists on: 1) tonic nociception induced by subcutaneous formalin (flinching behavior) or 2) acute nociception induced by peripheral electrical stimulus in in vivo extracellular recordings of spinal dorsal horn second-order wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons. Clonidine inhibited the nocifensive behavior induced by formalin, an effect blocked by BRL 44408 (α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist) but not by imiloxan (α2B-adrenoceptor antagonist) or JP 1302 (α2C-adrenoceptor antagonist). Similarly, spinal BRL 44408 reversed the clonidine-induced inhibition of nociceptive WDR activity. Interestingly, spinal JP 1302 per se produced behavioral antinociception (an effect blocked by bicuculline, a preferent GABAA channel blocker), but no correlation was found with the electrophysiological experiments. These data imply that, at the spinal level, 1) presynaptic α2A-adrenoceptor activation produces antinociception during acute or tonic nociceptive stimuli; and 2) under tonic nociceptive (inflammatory) input, spinal α2C-adrenoceptors are pronociceptive, probably by the inactivation of GABAergic transmission. This result supports a differential role of α2A and α2C-adrenoceptors modulating nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo López-Córdoba
- Departamento de Neurobiología Del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología Del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Jair Lozano-Cuenca
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Secretaría de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología Del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología Del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico,*Correspondence: Abimael González-Hernández,
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Salinas-Abarca AB, Vázquez-Cuevas FG, González-Gallardo A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, González-Hernández A, Condés-Lara M. The glial cell's role in antinociceptive differential effects of oxytocin upon female and male rats. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:796-810. [PMID: 34978727 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex plays a crucial role in pain processing and response to analgesic drugs. Indeed, spinal glia seems to be significant in the sexual dimorphism observed in the above effects. Recently, studies have associated oxytocin with antinociceptive effects, but these have been mainly performed in male animals; consequently, the influence of sex has been poorly explored. METHODS Using a model of spinal nociception that produces pain through activation of the spinal glia, that is, intrathecal (i.t.) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, we analysed the changes in the analgesic response to i.t. oxytocin in female and male rats by behavioural (punctate mechanical hypersensitivity), electrophysiological (unitary extracellular recordings of wide dynamic range [WDR] cells) and molecular biology (real-time PCR of proinflammatory genes) experiments. RESULTS We found that LPS-induced hypersensitivity was longer in female (>96 h) than in male (≈4 h) rats. Besides, spinal oxytocin preferentially prevents the LPS-induced hypersensitivity in male rather than female rats. Indeed, LPS increases the spinal neuronal-evoked activity associated with the activation of peripheral Aδ- and C-fibres and post-discharge in males, whereas only C-fibre discharge was enhanced in females. The electrophysiological data correlate with the fact that spinal oxytocin only prevented TNF-α and IL-1β synthesis in male rats. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, these data suggest that oxytocin-mediated analgesia depends on a sexual dimorphism involving activation of the spinal glia. These results reinforced the idea that different strategies are required to treat pain in men and women, and that oxytocin could be used preferentially to treat pain with a significant inflammatory component in men. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oxytocin is a molecule that emerges as a potent analgesic in preclinical and clinical studies. We investigated the contribution of glia to the response of oxytocin-induced analgesia and how sex influences in this response show that different strategies are required to treat pain in men and women, and that oxytocin could be used preferentially to treat pain with a significant inflammatory component in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Salinas-Abarca
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Francisco G Vázquez-Cuevas
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Adriana González-Gallardo
- Unidad de Proteogenómica del Instituto de Neurobiología, Unidad de Protogenómica, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
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Espinosa de los Monteros-Zúñiga A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. In Vivo Dissection of Two Intracellular Pathways Involved in the Spinal Oxytocin-Induced Antinociception in the Rat. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:3140-3147. [PMID: 34342984 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral and electrophysiological data show that at the spinal level, oxytocin inhibits pain transmission by activation of oxytocin receptors (OTRs). Canonically, OTRs are coupled to Gq proteins, which induce a rise of intracellular Ca2+ by activating the phospholipase C (PLC). However, in vitro data showed that OTRs cause a plethora of intracellular events, some related to the activation of Gi proteins. Using a behavioral approach, we analyzed the main in vivo intracellular pathway elicited by spinal oxytocin during a peripheral inflammatory/persistent nociceptive stimulus. Intrathecal oxytocin reduces early (number of flinches) and late (mechanical allodynia) formalin-induced nociception, an effect abolished by the OTR antagonist (L-368,899). Furthermore, the antinociception observed during the early phase (acute inflammatory) was also reverted by U-73122 (PLC inhibitor) but not by pertussis toxin (Gαi/o protein inhibitor) or gallein (Gβγ subunit inhibitor). In contrast, the late oxytocin-induced behavioral analgesia was blocked by pertussis and gallein but not by U-73122. Since oxytocin's effects during the early phase were also antagonized by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, ODQ, or glibenclamide (inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase [NOS], soluble guanylyl cyclase [GC], and K+ATP channels, respectively), the role of two differential pathways elicited by oxytocin is supported. Hence, we showed in in vivo experiments that oxytocin recruits two differential spinal intracellular pathways mediated by Gq (PLC/NOS/GC/K+ATP) or Gi proteins during a peripheral nociceptive stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros-Zúñiga
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, México
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, México
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, México
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO 76230, México
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Martínez-Lorenzana G, Gamal-Eltrabily M, Tello-García IA, Martínez-Torres A, Becerra-González M, González-Hernández A, Condés-Lara M. CLARITY with neuronal tracing and immunofluorescence to study the somatosensory system in rats. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 350:109048. [PMID: 33359224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.109048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CLARITY technique enables researchers to visualize different neuronal connections along the nervous system including the somatosensory system. NEW METHOD The present work describes the antero-lateral and dorsal column pathways until the thalamic and cortical stations, as well as descending oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic innervations by means of combined CLARITY, neuronal tracing, and immunofluorescence techniques. We used male Sprague-Dawley rats of 13, 30, and 60 days. RESULTS The main results are as follows: A) CLARITY is a reliable technique that can be combined with fluorescent neuronal tracers and immunofluorescence techniques without major procedure modifications; B) at spinal level, some primary afferent fibers were labeled by CGRP, as well as the presence of neuronal populations that simultaneously project to the gracile and ventral posterolateral thalamic nuclei; C) corticothalamic connections were visible when retrograde tracers were injected at thalamic level; D) oxytocin receptors were expressed in the spinal dorsal horn by GABAergic-positive neurons, reinforcing previous outcomes about the possible mechanism for oxytocin blocking the primary afferent sensory input. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS AND CONCLUSIONS The CLARITY technique lets us observe in a transparent way the entire processed tissue compared with classical histological methods. CLARITY is a potentially useful tool to describe neuroanatomical structures and their neurochemical stratus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Mohammed Gamal-Eltrabily
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Irma Alejandra Tello-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ataulfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Marymar Becerra-González
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla, No. 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
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Espinosa De Los Monteros-Zúñiga A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. Intrathecal Oxytocin Improves Spontaneous Behavior and Reduces Mechanical Hypersensitivity in a Rat Model of Postoperative Pain. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:581544. [PMID: 33071793 PMCID: PMC7533545 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.581544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The first few days post-surgery, patients experience intense pain, hypersensitivity and consequently tend to have minor locomotor activity to avoid pain. Certainly, injury to peripheral tissues produces pain and increases sensitivity to painful (hyperalgesia) and non-painful (allodynia) stimuli. In this regard, preemptive pharmacological treatments to avoid or diminish pain after surgery are relevant. Recent data suggest that the neuropeptide oxytocin when given at spinal cord level could be a molecule with potential preemptive analgesic effects, but this hypothesis has not been properly tested. Using a validated postoperative pain model (i.e. plantar incision), we evaluated in male Wistar rats the potential preemptive antinociceptive effects of intrathecal oxytocin administration measuring tactile hypersensitivity (across 8 days) and spontaneous motor activity (across 3 days). Hypersensitivity was evaluated using von Frey filaments, whereas spontaneous activity (total distance, vertical activity episodes, and time spent in the center of the box) was assessed in real time using a semiautomated open-field system. Under these conditions, we found that animals pretreated with spinal oxytocin before plantar incision showed a diminution of hypersensitivity and an improvement of spontaneous behavior (particularly total distance and vertical activity episodes). This report provides a basis for addressing the therapeutic relevance of oxytocin as a potential preemptive analgesic molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
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Gamal-Eltrabily M, Espinosa de Los Monteros-Zúñiga A, Manzano-García A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. The Rostral Agranular Insular Cortex, a New Site of Oxytocin to Induce Antinociception. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5669-5680. [PMID: 32571836 PMCID: PMC7363465 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0962-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The rostral agranular insular cortex (RAIC) is a relevant structure in nociception. Indeed, recruitment of GABAergic activity in RAIC promotes the disinhibition of the locus ceruleus, which in turn inhibits (by noradrenergic action) the peripheral nociceptive input at the spinal cord level. In this regard, at the cortical level, oxytocin can modulate the GABAergic transmission; consequently, an interaction modulating nociception could exist between oxytocin and GABA at RAIC. Here, we tested in male Wistar rats the effect of oxytocin microinjection into RAIC during an inflammatory (by subcutaneous peripheral injection of formalin) nociceptive input. Oxytocin microinjection produces a diminution of (1) flinches induced by formalin and (2) spontaneous firing of spinal wide dynamic range cells. The above antinociceptive effect was abolished by microinjection (at RAIC) of the following: (1) L-368899 (an oxytocin receptor [OTR] antagonist) or by (2) bicuculline (a preferent GABAA receptor blocker), suggesting a GABAergic activation induced by OTR. Since intrathecal injection of an α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist (BRL 44408) partially reversed the oxytocin effect, a descending noradrenergic antinociception is suggested. Further, injection of L-368899 per se induces a pronociceptive behavioral effect, suggesting a tonic endogenous oxytocin release during inflammatory nociceptive input. Accordingly, we found bilateral projections from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) to RAIC. Some of the PVN-projecting cells are oxytocinergic and destinate GABAergic and OTR-expressing cells inside RAIC. Aside from the direct anatomic link between PVN and RAIC, our findings provide evidence about the role of oxytocinergic mechanisms modulating the pain process at the RAIC level.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in several functions ranging from lactation to social attachment. Over the years, the role of this molecule in pain processing has emerged, showing that, at the spinal level, oxytocin blocks pain transmission. The present work suggests that oxytocin also modulates pain at the cortical insular level by favoring cortical GABAergic transmission and activating descending spinal noradrenergic mechanisms. Indeed, we show that the paraventricular hypothalamicnucleus sends direct oxytocinergic projections to the rostral agranular insular cortex on GABAergic and oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons. Together, our data support the notion that the oxytocinergic system could act as an orchestrator of pain modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Gamal-Eltrabily
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | | | - Alfredo Manzano-García
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Mexico
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García-Boll E, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. Inhibition of nociceptive dural input to the trigeminocervical complex through oxytocinergic transmission. Exp Neurol 2019; 323:113079. [PMID: 31678349 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Migraine is a complex brain disorder that involves abnormal activation of the trigeminocervical complex (TCC). Since an increase of oxytocin concentration has been found in cerebrospinal fluid in migrainous patients and intranasal oxytocin seems to relieve migrainous pain, some studies suggest that the hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin may play a role in migraine pathophysiology. However, it remains unknown whether oxytocin can interact with the trigeminovascular system at TCC level. The present study was designed to test the above hypothesis in a well-established electrophysiological model of migraine. Using anesthetized rats, we evaluated the effect of oxytocin on TCC neuronal activity in response to dural nociceptive trigeminovascular activation. We found that spinal oxytocin significantly reduced TCC neuronal firing evoked by meningeal electrical stimulation. Furthermore, pretreatment with L-368,899 (a selective oxytocin receptor antagonist, OTR) abolished the oxytocin-induced inhibition of trigeminovascular neuronal responses. This study provides the first direct evidence that oxytocin, probably by OTR activation at TCC level inhibited dural nociceptive-evoked action potential in this complex. Thus, targeting OTR at TCC could represent a new avenue to treat migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique García-Boll
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro QRO, 76230, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro QRO, 76230, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro QRO, 76230, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro QRO, 76230, Mexico.
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Zayas‐González H, González‐Hernández A, Manzano‐García A, Hernández‐Rivero D, García‐Cuevas MA, Granados‐Mortera JC, Vaca‐Aguirre L, Flores‐Fierro S, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés‐Lara M. Effect of local infiltration with oxytocin on hemodynamic response to surgical incision and postoperative pain in patients having open laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. Eur J Pain 2019; 23:1519-1526. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hector Zayas‐González
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro México
- Hospital Regional de Petróleos Mexicanos Salamanca México
| | - Abimael González‐Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro México
| | - Alfredo Manzano‐García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro México
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Miguel Condés‐Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro México
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Béjar-Alonso J, Martínez-Lorenzana G, González-Hernández A, Cortes U, Condés-Lara M. Recurrent inhibition in the cerebral cortex. Neurosci Lett 2019; 696:20-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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García-Boll E, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. Oxytocin inhibits the rat medullary dorsal horn Sp5c/C1 nociceptive transmission through OT but not V 1A receptors. Neuropharmacology 2017; 129:109-117. [PMID: 29169960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The medullary dorsal horn (MDH or Sp5c/C1 region) plays a key role modulating the nociceptive input arriving from craniofacial structures. Some reports suggest that oxytocin could play a role modulating the nociceptive input at the MDH level, but no study has properly tested this hypothesis. Using an electrophysiological and pharmacological approach, the present study aimed to determine the effect of oxytocin on the nociceptive signaling in the MDH and the receptor involved. In sevoflurane, anesthetized rats, we performed electrophysiological unitary recordings of second order neurons at the MDH region responding to peripheral nociceptive-evoked responses of the first branch (V1; ophthalmic) of the trigeminal nerve. Under this condition, we constructed dose-response curves analyzing the effect of local spinal oxytocin (0.2-20 nmol) on MDH nociceptive neuronal firing. Furthermore, we tested the role of oxytocin receptors (OTR) or vasopressin V1A receptors (V1AR) involved in the oxytocin effects. Oxytocin dose-dependently inhibits the peripheral-evoked activity in nociceptive MDH neurotransmission. This inhibition is associated with a blockade of neuronal activity of Aδ- and C-fibers. Since this antinociception was abolished by pretreatment (in the MDH) with the potent and selective OTR antagonist (L-368,899; 20 nmol) and remained unaffected after the V1AR antagonist (SR49059; 20 nmol or 200 nmol), the role of OTR is implied. This electrophysiological study demonstrates that oxytocin inhibits the peripheral-evoked neuronal activity at MDH, through OTR activation. Thus, OTR may represent a new potential drug target to treat craniofacial nociceptive dysfunction in the MDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique García-Boll
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO, 76230, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO, 76230, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO, 76230, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro, QRO, 76230, Mexico.
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Manzano-García A, González-Hernández A, Tello-García IA, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M. The role of peripheral vasopressin 1A and oxytocin receptors on the subcutaneous vasopressin antinociceptive effects. Eur J Pain 2017; 22:511-526. [PMID: 29082571 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vasopressin (AVP) seems to play a role as an antinociceptive neurohormone, but little is known about the peripheral site of action of its antinociceptive effects. Moreover, AVP can produce motor impairment that could be confused with behavioural antinociception. Finally, it is not clear which receptor is involved in the peripheral antinociceptive AVP effects. METHODS In anaesthetized rats with end-tidal CO2 monitoring, extracellular unitary recordings were performed, measuring the evoked activity mediated by Aβ-, Aδ-, C-fibres and post-discharge. Behavioural nociception and motor impairment were evaluated under subcutaneous AVP (0.1-10 μg) using formalin and rotarod tests. Selective antagonists to vasopressin (V1A R) or oxytocin receptors (OTR) were used. Additionally, vasopressin and oxytocin receptors were explored immunohistochemically in skin tissues. RESULTS Subcutaneous AVP (1 and 10 μg/paw) induced antinociception and a transitory reduction of the end-tidal CO2 . The neuronal activity associated with Aδ- and C-fibre activation was diminished, but no effect was observed on Aβ-fibres. AVP also reduced paw flinches in the formalin test and a transitory locomotor impairment was also found. The AVP-induced antinociception was blocked by the selective antagonist to V1A R (SR49059) or OTR (L368,899). Immunohistochemical evidence of skin VP and OT receptors is given. CONCLUSIONS Subcutaneous AVP produces antinociception and behavioural analgesia. Both V1a and OTR participate in those effects. Our findings suggest that antinociception could be produced in a local manner using a novel vasopressin receptor located in cutaneous sensorial fibres. Additionally, subcutaneous AVP also produces important systemic effects such as respiratory and locomotor impairment. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings support that AVP produces peripheral antinociception and behavioural analgesia in a local manner; nevertheless, systemic effects are also presented. Additionally, this is the first detailed electrophysiological analysis of AVP antinociceptive action after subcutaneous administration. The results are reasonably explained by the demonstration of V1A R and OTR in cutaneous fibres.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Manzano-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - A González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - I A Tello-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - G Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
| | - M Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México
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Godínez-Chaparro B, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Manzano-García A, Rojas-Piloni G, Condés-Lara M, González-Hernández A. The potential role of serotonergic mechanisms in the spinal oxytocin-induced antinociception. Neuropeptides 2016; 60:51-60. [PMID: 27449278 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The role of oxytocin (OXT) in pain modulation has been suggested. Indeed, hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei (PVN) electrical stimuli reduce the nociceptive neuronal activity (i.e., neuronal discharge associated with activation of Aδ- and C-fibers) of the spinal dorsal horn wide dynamic range (WDR) cells and nociceptive behavior. Furthermore, raphe magnus nuclei lesion reduces the PVN-induced antinociception, suggesting a functional interaction between the OXT and the serotoninergic system. The present study investigated in Wistar rats the potential role of spinal serotonergic mechanisms in the OXT- and PVN-induced antinociception. In long-term secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by formalin or extracellular unitary recordings of the WDR cells we evaluated the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) effect on the OXT-induced antinociception. All drugs were given intrathecally (i.t.). OXT (1×10-5-1×10-4nmol) or 5-HT (1×10-3-1×10-1nmol) prevented the formalin-induced sensitization, an effect mimicked by PVN stimulation. Moreover, administration of OXT (1×10-5nmol) plus 5-HT (1×10-3nmol) at ineffective doses, produced antinociception. This effect was antagonized by: (i) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH29]OVT (oxytocin receptor antagonist; 2×10-2nmol); or (ii) methiothepin (a non-specific 5-HT1/2/5/6/7 receptor antagonist; 80nmol). Similar results were obtained with PVN stimulation plus 5-HT (5×10-5nmol). In WDR cell recordings, the PVN-induced antinociception was enhanced by i.t. 5-HT and partly blocked when the spinal cord was pre-treated with methiothepin (80nmol). Taken together, these results suggest that serotonergic mechanisms at the spinal cord level are partly involved in the OXT-induced antinociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Godínez-Chaparro
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Jiménez
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Manzano-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Rojas-Piloni
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico
| | - Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, Mexico.
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Condés-Lara M, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rubio-Beltrán E, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Rojas-Piloni G, González-Hernández A. Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus stimulation enhances c-Fos expression in spinal and supraspinal structures related to pain modulation. Neurosci Res 2015; 98:59-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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González-Hernández A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Rojas-Piloni G, Condés-Lara M. Intracisternal injection of palmitoylethanolamide inhibits the peripheral nociceptive evoked responses of dorsal horn wide dynamic range neurons. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 122:369-74. [PMID: 24919882 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1255-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has a key role in pain modulation. Central or peripheral PEA can reduce nociceptive behavior, but no study has yet reported a descending inhibitory effect on the neuronal nociceptive activity of Aδ- and C-fibers. This study shows that intracisternal PEA inhibits the peripheral nociceptive responses of dorsal horn wide dynamic range cells (i.e., inhibition of Aδ- and C-fibers), an effect blocked by spinal methiothepin. These results suggest that a descending analgesic mechanism mediated by the serotonergic system could be activated by central PEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abimael González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
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Mena F, González-Hernández A, Navarro N, Castilla A, Morales T, Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M. Prolactin fractions from lactating rats elicit effects upon sensory spinal cord cells of male rats. Neuroscience 2013; 248:552-61. [PMID: 23830906 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2013] [Revised: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recently it has been suggested that the neurohormone prolactin (PRL) could act on the afferent nociceptive neurons. Indeed, PRL sensitizes transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels present in nociceptive C-fibers and consequently reduces the pain threshold in a model of inflammatory pain. Accordingly, high plasma PRL levels in non-lactating females have been associated with several painful conditions (e.g. migraine). Paradoxically, an increase of PRL secretion during lactation induced a reduction in pain sensitivity. This difference could be attributed to the fact that PRL secreted from the adenopituitary (AP) is transformed into several molecular variants by the suckling stimulation. In order to test this hypothesis, the present study set out to investigate whether PRL from AP of suckled (S) or non-suckled (NS) lactating rats affects the activity of the male Wistar wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons. The WDR neurons are located in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and receive input from the first-order neurons (Ab-, Ad- and C-fibers). Spinal administration of prolactin variant from NS rats (NS-PRL) or prolactin variant from S rats (S-PRL) had no effect on the neuronal activity of non-nociceptive Ab-fibers. However, the activities of nociceptive Ad-fibers and C-fibers were: (i) increased by NS-PRL and (ii) diminished by S-PRL. Either NS-PRL or S-PRL enhanced the post-discharge activity. Taken together, these results suggest that PRL from S or NS lactating rats could either facilitate or depress the nociceptive responses of spinal dorsal horn cells, depending on the physiological state of the rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mena
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - A González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - N Navarro
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - A Castilla
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - T Morales
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - G Rojas-Piloni
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - G Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - M Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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Moreno-López Y, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, Rojas-Piloni G. Identification of oxytocin receptor in the dorsal horn and nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons. Neuropeptides 2013; 47:117-23. [PMID: 23102456 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2012.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) secreted by the hypothalamo-spinal projection exerts antinociceptive effects in the dorsal horn. Electrophysiological evidence indicates that OT could exert these effects by activating OT receptors (OTR) directly on dorsal horn neurons and/or primary nociceptive afferents in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, little is known about the identity of the dorsal horn and DRG neurons that express the OTR. In the dorsal horn, we found that the OTR is expressed principally in neurons cell bodies. However, neither spino-thalamic dorsal horn neurons projecting to the contralateral thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) and posterior nuclear group (Po) nor GABaergic dorsal horn neurons express the OTR. The OTR is not expressed in skin nociceptive terminals or in dorsal horn nociceptive fibers. In the DRG, however, the OTR is expressed predominantly in non-peptidergic C-fiber cell bodies, but not in peptidergic or mechanoreceptor afferents or in skin nociceptive terminals. Our results suggest that the antinociceptive effects of OT are mediated by direct activation of dorsal horn neurons and peripheral actions on nociceptive, non-peptidergic C-afferents in the DRG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Moreno-López
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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González-Hernández A, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rojas-Piloni G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Hernández-Linares Y, Villanueva L, Condés-Lara M. Spinal LTP induced by sciatic nerve electrical stimulation enhances posterior triangular thalamic nociceptive responses. Neuroscience 2013; 234:125-34. [PMID: 23318244 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Long-term potentiation (LTP) can be induced by electrical stimulation and gives rise to an increase in synaptic strength at the first relay. This phenomenon has been associated with learning and memory and also could be the origin of several pathological states elicited by an initial strong painful stimulus, such as some forms of neuropathic pain. We used high-frequency electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve in anesthetized rats to produce spinal LTP. To evaluate the effect of spinal LTP on the activity of neurons in the posterior triangular nucleus of the thalamus (PoT), we applied an electrical stimulation (40 stimuli; 1ms; 0.5Hz; 1.5mA) to cutaneous tissues at 10-min intervals during at least 3h. In the majority of cases, PoT cells did not respond to cutaneous stimulation before LTP, but 50min after LTP induction PoT cells progressively began responding to the cutaneous stimulation. Furthermore, after 3h of LTP induction, PoT neurons could respond to cutaneous stimulation applied to different paws. Interestingly, the conduction velocities for the receptive field responses from the paw to the PoT cells were compatible with those of Aδ-fibers. Since PoT cells project to the insular cortex, the progressive increase in PoT activity and also the progressive unmasking of somatic receptive fields in response to LTP, place these cells in a key position to detect pain stimuli following central sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A González-Hernández
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Rojas-Piloni G, Mejía-Rodríguez R, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M. Corrigendum to “Oxytocin, but not vassopressin, modulates nociceptive responses in dorsal horn neurons” [Neurosci. Lett. 476 (2010) 32–35]. Neurosci Lett 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condés-Lara M, Rodríguez-Jiménez J. Direct sensorimotor corticospinal modulation of dorsal horn neuronal C-fiber responses in the rat. Brain Res 2010; 1351:104-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2010] [Revised: 05/12/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Condés-Lara M, Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J. Paraventricular hypothalamic oxytocinergic cells responding to noxious stimulation and projecting to the spinal dorsal horn represent a homeostatic analgesic mechanism. Eur J Neurosci 2009; 30:1056-63. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06899.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Condés-Lara M, Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, López-Hidalgo M, Rodríguez-Jiménez J. Hypothalamospinal oxytocinergic antinociception is mediated by GABAergic and opiate neurons that reduce A-delta and C fiber primary afferent excitation of spinal cord cells. Brain Res 2008; 1247:38-49. [PMID: 18996098 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2008] [Revised: 10/02/2008] [Accepted: 10/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent results implicate a new original mechanism involving oxytocin (OT), as a mediator via descending fibers of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), in antinociception and analgesia. In rats electrical stimulation of the PVN or topical application of OT selectively inhibits A-delta and C fiber responses in superficial dorsal horn neurons, and this inhibition is reversed by a selective OT antagonist. However, little is known about the mechanisms and the spinal elements participating in this phenomenon. Here we show that topical application of bicuculline blocks the effects produced by PVN electrical stimulation or OT application. PVN electrical stimulation also activates a subpopulation of neurons in lamina II. These PVN-On cells are responsible for the amplification of local GABAergic inhibition. This result reinforces the suggestion that a supraspinal descending control of pain processing uses a specific neuronal pathway in the spinal cord in order to produce antinociception involving a GABAergic interneuron. Moreover, the topical administration of naloxone or a mu-opiate receptor antagonist beta-funaltrexamine only partially blocks the inhibitory effects produced by OT application or PVN electrical stimulation. Thus, this OT mechanism only involves opiate participation to a minor extent. The OT-specific, endogenous descending pathway represents an interesting mechanism to resolve chronic pain problems in special the neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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Martínez-Lorenzana G, Espinosa-López L, Carranza M, Aramburo C, Paz-Tres C, Rojas-Piloni G, Condés-Lara M. PVN electrical stimulation prolongs withdrawal latencies and releases oxytocin in cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, and spinal cord tissue in intact and neuropathic rats. Pain 2008; 140:265-273. [PMID: 18823708 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2008.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2008] [Revised: 08/08/2008] [Accepted: 08/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We are studying an endogenous, oxytocinergic analgesia system to obtain more information about normal and pathological pain processes. In the recent years, this oxytocinergic system has been shown to be involved in normal and pathological pain suppression. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is an important source of brain oxytocin (OT). A descending pathway reaching the dorsal horn in the spinal cord was postulated to mediate analgesic effects at the spinal cord level. However, the oxytocin concentration during pain conditions and during PVN electrical stimulation needs to be determined. We designed experiments to measure the OT concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, and OT protein in lumbar spinal cord tissue in control and neuropathic rats. Sciatic loose ligature was used as the experimental method to produce neuropathic pain. The main findings were (1) Chronic pain experiments in animals showed that the stimulation of the anterior part of the PVN increased OT concentration and produced analgesia states, as measured by von Frey, cold, and heat plantar tests. (2) Differential effects were produced by electrical stimulation of the anterior or posterior regions of the PVN; electrical stimulation of the anterior part of the PVN enhanced the OT concentration in CSF and plasma, and it also increased OT protein concentrations in the spinal cord tissue; in contrast, the stimulation of the posterior part of the PVN only increased OT concentrations in CSF. These results suggest the participation of an endogenous analgesia system mediated by OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, México Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, México Unidad de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Instituto Nacional de Neurocirugía, México
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Condés-Lara M, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Rojas-Piloni G. Paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus stimulation modulates nociceptive responses in dorsal horn wide dynamic range neurons. Neurosci Lett 2008; 444:199-202. [PMID: 18721859 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2008] [Revised: 08/07/2008] [Accepted: 08/09/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Effects of different parameters of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) electrical stimulation on somatic responses, in dorsal horn neurons were examined. In anaesthetized rats, single-unit extracellular recordings were made from dorsal horn lumbar segments, which receive afferent input from the toe and hind paw regions. We compared the neuronal responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the receptive field (RF) with the responses preceded by ipsilateral PVN stimulation. Only the responses corresponding to Adelta and C-fiber activation were inhibited when PVN stimulation was delivered. Fast-evoked responses corresponding to Abeta fibers were not modified. The magnitude of inhibition depends on the intensity and duration of the PVN stimulation train and gradually decreases as the time interval between the PVN and RF stimulations increases. The results indicate that PVN modulates nociceptive, but not non-nociceptive neuronal responses at the spinal cord level, and this modulation depends on the parameters of the stimulus utilized to activate PVN neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
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Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, DelaTorre S, Condés-Lara M. Nociceptive spinothalamic tract and postsynaptic dorsal column neurons are modulated by paraventricular hypothalamic activation. Eur J Neurosci 2008; 28:546-58. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06366.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Condés-Lara M, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rojas-Piloni G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J. Branched oxytocinergic innervations from the paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei to superficial layers in the spinal cord. Brain Res 2007; 1160:20-9. [PMID: 17599811 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2007] [Revised: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 05/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is an interesting structure with diverse functions due to its different neuronal populations, neurotransmitters, and projections to other central nervous system structures. The PVN is a primary source of oxytocin (OT) in the central nervous system. In fact, a direct PVN projection to the spinal cord has been demonstrated by retrograde and anterograde tracers, and more than the 50% of this projection is oxytocinergic. This OT descending projection is proposed to be an endogenous system that controls the nociceptive information arriving at the spinal cord. However, we have no information about the specific organization of the OT descending innervations to the different spinal cord segments. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the projecting PVN neurons arrive at cervical regions and then continue to lumbar regions. That is, we sought to establish if the OT projecting cells have a topic or a diffuse projection in order to obtain histological data to support the endogenous OT diffuse mechanism of analgesia described elsewhere. With this purpose in mind we combined the OT immunohistochemistry technique with retrograde neuronal tracers in the spinal cord. We applied Diamidino Yellow (DY) for the superficial dorsal horn cervical segments and True Blue (TB) for the lumbar segments. Data were collected from eight rats with well-placed injections. We only used the animals in which the tracer deposits were confined to superficial layers I and II of the dorsal horn. A mainly ipsilateral projection was observed, but stained neurons were also observed in the contralateral PVN. A large fraction of the stained PVN cells was doubled labeled but some were single labeled. Combining the retrograde tracer techniques and the OT detection procedure, we observed triple-labeled neurons. The present results demonstrate that PVN neurons send collaterals at least to the superficial cervical and lumbar segments of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Moreover, some of these stained cells use OT as a neurotransmitter. These results are of great relevance since they demonstrate that the PVN plays an important role in the somatosensorial system, and they support anatomic evidence of an endogenous mechanism involved in analgesia. Finally, we also describe median raphe nucleus double-labeled cells (DY+TB) signaling diffuse descending projections for this largely studied nucleus that are involved in endogenous analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, México.
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Rojas-Piloni G, López-Hidalgo M, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, Condés-Lara M. GABA-mediated oxytocinergic inhibition in dorsal horn neurons by hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus stimulation. Brain Res 2006; 1137:69-77. [PMID: 17229405 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2006] [Revised: 12/09/2006] [Accepted: 12/14/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In anaesthetized rats, we tested whether the unit activity of dorsal horn neurons that receive nociceptive input is modulated by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). An electrophysiological mapping of dorsal horn neurons at L3-L4 let us choose cells responding to a receptive field located in the toes region of the left hindpaw. Dorsal horn neurons were classified according to their response properties to peripheral stimulation. Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) cells responding to electrical stimulation of the peripheral receptive field and presenting synaptic input of Adelta, Abeta, and C-fibers were studied. Suspected interneurons that are typically silent and lack peripheral receptive field responses were also analyzed. PVN electrical stimulation inhibits Adelta (-55.0+/-10.2%), C-fiber (-73.1+/-6.7%), and post-discharge (-75.0+/-8.9%) peripheral activation in WDR cells, and silent interneurons were activated. So, this last type of interneuron was called a PVN-ON cell. In WDR cells, the inhibition of peripheral responses caused by PVN stimulation was blocked by intrathecal administration of a specific oxytocin antagonist or bicuculline. However, PVN-ON cell activation was blocked by the same specific oxytocin antagonist, but not by bicuculline. Our results suggest that PVN stimulation inhibits nociceptive peripheral-evoked responses in WDR neurons by a descending oxytocinergic pathway mediated by GABAergic PVN-ON cells. We discuss our observation that the PVN electrical stimulation selectively inhibits Adelta and C-fiber activity without affecting Abeta fibers. We conclude that Adelta and C-fibers receive a presynaptic inhibition mediated by GABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Rojas-Piloni
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Miranda-Cardenas Y, Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, López-Hidalgo M, Freund-Mercier MJ, Condés-Lara M. Oxytocin and electrical stimulation of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus produce antinociceptive effects that are reversed by an oxytocin antagonist. Pain 2006; 122:182-9. [PMID: 16527400 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2005] [Revised: 01/10/2006] [Accepted: 01/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, oxytocin has been implicated in a wide diversity of functions. The role of oxytocin in analgesia and pain modulation represents an important new function of an endogenous system controlling sensorial information. The paraventricular (PV) nucleus of the hypothalamus is one of the most important sources of oxytocin, and it has a very well-defined projection to the spinal cord. The location of this PV spinal cord projection correlates well with oxytocin binding sites at the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. In this work, we used rats with a chronic (46 days) sciatic loose ligature, an electrical stimulating electrode, and an intrathecal cannula, which reached the L4-L5 levels of the spinal cord. We compared the oxytocin effects with electrical stimulation of the PV and observed a significant reduction of the withdrawal responses to mechanical and cold stimulation applied to the ipsilateral and contralateral hind paws. An oxytocin antagonist administered intrathecally blocked the PV effects. Naloxone was also intrathecally injected 2 min before the PV stimulation, and we also observed a significant reduction of the withdrawal responses; however, this reduction was less pronounced. Our results support the hypothesis that oxytocin is part of the descending inhibitory control mechanisms having an important antinociceptive action. We cannot exclude a minor opiate participation in the OT action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuritzia Miranda-Cardenas
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Condés-Lara M, Rojas-Piloni G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Rodríguez-Jiménez J, López Hidalgo M, Freund-Mercier MJ. Paraventricular hypothalamic influences on spinal nociceptive processing. Brain Res 2006; 1081:126-37. [PMID: 16497280 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Revised: 01/12/2006] [Accepted: 01/16/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin properties have been studied in different experimental models in order to obtain evidence for its analgesic properties. The analgesic effect of an oxytocinergic pathway descending from the hypothalamus reaching the dorsal horn of the spinal cord has been studied. In anesthetized rats, we recorded single units at the L4-L5 spinal dorsal horn level and stimulated the peripheral receptive field. The evoked responses were classified according to their latencies in A-beta, A-delta, C fibers, and postdischarge. We used these responses to evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus (PV) of the hypothalamus. We observed a selective blockage of A-delta and C fibers related to the duration of the train stimulus duration. Similar effects were observed when oxytocin (OT) was applied directly on the spinal cord. The effects of OT and of PV electrical stimulation were reversed in a dose-dependent manner by application of the specific OT antagonist (OTA). These effects were observed in cells with reduced wind-up and cells displaying a clear wind-up response to peripheral stimulation. Superficial and deeper cells in the dorsal spinal cord were involved. The recorded cells were marked by pontamine blue iontophoretic injection after each cell recording, and their histological locations were specified. In order to obtain a behavioral correlation, we used rats with a loose ligature of the sciatic nerve and a chronic intrathecal catheter reaching the L4-L5 spinal cord level. We tested the hyperalgesia and allodynia of these animals using von Frey filaments and the application of acetone to the hind paws. Our results show a significant reduction in the mechanical and thermal test after the administration of 15 microl of 10(-6) M OT. Our electrophysiological, pharmacological, and behavioral results point out a clear OT antialgesic effect. The results are discussed on the basis of a previous work showing an OT blockage of glutamate activation. The paraventricular hypothalamic descending OT pathway is proposed as an interesting mechanism producing analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México.
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Uhl-Bronner S, Waltisperger E, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Condes Lara M, Freund-Mercier MJ. Sexually dimorphic expression of oxytocin binding sites in forebrain and spinal cord of the rat. Neuroscience 2005; 135:147-54. [PMID: 16084653 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2005] [Revised: 05/17/2005] [Accepted: 05/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The central actions of oxytocin on reproduction-related functions and behaviors are strongly steroid-dependent and gender specific. This study characterizes sexual differences in the oxytocin binding site expression in forebrain and spinal cord of the rat. Using film autoradiography, we quantified the density of oxytocin binding sites in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, the medial and central nuclei of the amygdala, the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the spinal cord dorsal horns both in adult male and female rats, and during development. In addition, neonatal castrated males and intact neonatal females treated with a single injection of testosterone (1 mg) were examined. Data showed a sexual dimorphism in the expression of oxytocin binding sites in the spinal cord dorsal horns and in restricted areas of the forebrain that are sensitive to gonadal steroids such as the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, but not in gonadal steroid insensitive sites such as the central nucleus of the amygdala. Adult males had higher oxytocin binding site densities in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and dorsal horns than females. In the forebrain, but not in the dorsal horn, this sexual difference required a perinatal exposure to testosterone. Neonatal castration only abolished the sexual difference in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus of adults, but not in the dorsal horn. Furthermore, females that received a single injection of testosterone 1 day after birth showed significant increases in the density of oxytocin binding sites in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, medial nucleus of the amygdala and medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. In addition, the findings suggest that the sexual difference in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus also requires gonadal hormones in adulthood. Our data support the hypothesis that sexually dimorphic oxytocin binding sites may contribute to the regulatory central actions of oxytocin in gender specific functions and behaviors such as nociception and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Uhl-Bronner
- Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie Cellulaire et Intégrée UMR7519 CNRS/Université Louis Pasteur, 21 rue René Descartes F-67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
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Martínez-Lorenzana G, Jiménez JR, Condés-Lara M. Interamygdaloid connection of basolateral nucleus through the anterior commissure in the rat. Neurosci Lett 2004; 366:154-7. [PMID: 15276237 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2004] [Revised: 04/22/2004] [Accepted: 05/12/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Basolateral amygdaloid nucleus interconnections through the anterior commissure (ac) are well visualized using wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase tracer (WGA-HRP) in control animals. On the other hand, few neurons in the contralateral basolateral amygdaloid nucleus were labeled when the WGA-HRP was injected after a complete transection of the anterior commissure. These results indicate that the basolateral nucleus projects through the anterior commissure to the homologous amygdaloid nucleus in the contralateral hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-1141,Queretaro 76001, Qro., Mexico
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Condés-Lara M, Paz C, Jiménez JR, Martínez G, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Larriva-Sahd J. Electrophysiological responses of interfascicular neurons of the rat anterior commissure to activation from the anterior olfactory nucleus, medial frontal cortex, and posterior nucleus of the amygdala. Brain Res 2003; 982:288-92. [PMID: 12915264 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)03054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Interfascicular neurons (IFNs) of the anterior commissure (AC) include short-axon and projection types which receive inputs from commissural collaterals. Therefore, it was proposed that IFNs may play a role in processing nerve impulses arising from the forebrain and delivered by these collaterals [Brain Res. 931 (2002) 81-91]. To determine possible inputs from the forebrain to IFNs we performed extracellular recordings of 25 neurons from anesthetized adult rats. Short-latency evoked potentials in IFNs were elicited by electrical stimulation of the anterior olfactory, posterior amygdaloid nuclei (PA), and medial frontal cortex. The IFN responses showed three distinct patterns, namely, a single action potential (AP) followed by what appear to be spontaneous discharge; a burst of high-frequency APs, and a single AP followed by a period devoid of APs. The latter response which was elicited by stimulation of the PA, may be explained by an intervening inhibitory interneuron, perhaps GABAergic in nature. Finally, IFNs seem not to project back to any of these three forebrain areas, as we failed to demonstrate antidromic activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurophysiology, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-UAQ, Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-1141, Zona Centro, CP 76001 Querétaro, Qro, Mexico
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Condés-Lara M, González NM, Martínez-Lorenzana G, Delgado OL, Freund-Mercier MJ. Actions of oxytocin and interactions with glutamate on spontaneous and evoked dorsal spinal cord neuronal activities. Brain Res 2003; 976:75-81. [PMID: 12763624 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)02690-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Among the numerous pain control mechanisms that have been proposed, those acting at the spinal cord have been broadly studied, but little is known about how neuropeptides originating in supraspinal structures may relate to pain and analgesic mechanisms. Oxytocin (OT), in addition to its well known hormonal action, produces neuronal effects in various regions of the central nervous system. Indeed, some parvocellular neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are oxytocinergic and project to the caudal part of the brain and the spinal cord. Moreover, the rat spinal cord shows a good overlap between the oxytocinergic hypothalamo-spinal neuron projections and the distribution of OT binding sites. However, the physiological significance of these binding sites is largely unknown. Extracellular unit activity of spinal cord neurons was recorded at the T13-L1 levels in male rats anesthetized with halotane. Somatic stimulation was applied to the inner and outer thigh of the ipsilateral hindpaw, and glutamate (GLU) and OT were locally delivered by pressure using pipettes coupled to recording electrodes. Our results show that spinal cord neurons, mainly located in the dorsal horn, in the intermediolateral cell column (IML) and in the intermediomedial gray matter (IMM), respond to the application of OT (71.5%) with activation (48%) or inhibition (52%). In some cases, opposite OT effects were observed during simultaneous recordings of two cells, suggesting OT activation of an inhibitory interneuron followed by the inhibition of the second recorded neuron. Increases in neuronal firing rate produced by GLU could be blocked by prior OT application. Finally, OT could reduce or partially block the responses to tactile and nociceptive somatic stimulation. We found that spinal cord neurons are sensitive to OT indicating that OT binding sites are functionally active. OT effects suggest the activation of inhibitory interneurons acting on a second order projecting cells to modulate afferent tactile and nociceptive information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Condés-Lara
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico.
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Condés-Lara M, Talavera-Cuevas E, Larriva-Sahd J, Martínez-Lorenzana G. Different wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase labeling in structures related to the development of amygdaline kindling in the rat. Neurosci Lett 2001; 299:13-6. [PMID: 11166926 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(01)01503-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The anterior commissure, medial and lateral bed nuclei of the stria terminalis and both sides of the medial prefrontal cortex showed a progressive increasing of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase labeling (WGA-HRP) in successive stages of amygdaline kindling, after 48 h of a right amygdala WGA-HRP injection. In contrast, during the first stages the number of labeled cells in the contralateral amygdala was reduced, reaching control values after the first generalized seizure. The present paper indicates that these structures are involved in the propagation and generalization of the epileptic activity. Our findings show that both sides of the medial prefrontal cortex can be activated before the contralateral amygdaloid complex, during the development of the amygdaline electrical kindling in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Condés-Lara
- Departamento de Neurofisilogíaa, Centro de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-1141, Querétaro, 76001, Qro. Mexico.
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Martínez-Lorenzana G, Talavera-Cuevas E, Sánchez-Alvarez M, Condés-Lara M. Effects of kindling in wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase [corrected] labeling in neurons of the interamygdaloid pathway in rats. Neurosci Lett 2000; 281:135-8. [PMID: 10704761 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(00)00831-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes in kindled rats an increment in wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase labeling in anterior commissure, bed nuclei of stria terminalis and amygdala. Three groups of animals were analyzed: control, sham-operated and kindled animals with ten convulsive generalized seizures. Results show that kindled animals have an increase in fiber labeling in anterior commissure and in the bed nuclei of stria terminalis, as well as a greater number of labeled neurons in amygdala. This label enhancement is related to the hyperexcitability of neurons produced by epilepsy, and could be associated to the propagation and formation of secondary foci and related plastic changes occurring during kindling.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Martínez-Lorenzana
- Departamento de Neurofisiología, Centro de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-1141, Querétaro, Mexico
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the neuronal participation of nitric oxide (NO) in experimental epilepsy. To reach this objective, we established the amount of cells presenting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the amygdaline concentrations in the L-arginine-nitric oxide synthesis pathway. A group of fully epileptic rats, induced by the kindling procedure and that had reached at least 10 generalized seizures, was studied. We evaluated behavioral stages, electroencephalographic activities, and histochemical NOS-positive cells and carried out high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) determinations of arginine, citrulline, and glutamic acid. Our results showed that behavioral and electrographic frequency, and duration of epileptic activities, were increased during the kindling process. Image processing system of NOS cells showed two types of intensities in cell stains in hippocampus, caudate-putamen, and amygdala. When we independently counted the two types of NOS stain cells, a selective increase in the number and density of weak-stained cells was observed, while dark-stained cells did not change in the studied structures. Additionally, arginine, citrulline, and glutamic acid concentrations in amygdala increased in kindled animals. The differential and specific increase in the stained cells expressing the nitric oxide synthase, as well as the increase in concentrations of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in amygdala, suggested a relationship with the progressive augmentation in the electrophysiological hyperactivity characteristic of generalized epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Talavera
- Centro de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro
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Talavera E, Martínez-Lorenzana G, León-Olea M, Sánchez-Alvarez M, Sánchez-Islas E, Pellicer F. Histochemical distribution of NADPH-diaphorase in the cerebral ganglion of the crayfish Cambarellus montezumae. Neurosci Lett 1995; 187:177-80. [PMID: 7624021 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)11368-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The presence and localization of NADPH-diaphorase in the cerebral ganglion of the crayfish Cambarellus montezumae was shown. The reactivity of this enzyme was found in the deuterocerebrum, mainly in the commissure, in fibers of olfactory and accessory lobes, and in the laterodorsal group of cells. The presence of this enzyme in these cerebral regions suggests that nitric oxide is involved in primary sensory afferents in the crayfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Talavera
- Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatría, D.F. Mexico
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39
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Sánchez-Alvarez M, León-Olea M, Talavera E, Pellicer F, Sánchez-Islas E, Martínez-Lorenzana G. Distribution of NADPH-diaphorase in the perioesophageal ganglia of the snail, Helix aspersa. Neurosci Lett 1994; 169:51-5. [PMID: 8047293 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(94)90354-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we discuss the anatomical localization of NADPH-diaphorase using Nitroblue tetrazolium in perioesophageal ganglia of Helix aspersa. Our results show that the reaction is present in neurons and fibers of the procerebrum, some positive neurons are found in mesocerebrum, and there were positive fibers in the neuropile of postcerebrum and mesocerebrum; likewise, immunopositive fibers were found in the neuropile of pedal, pleural and parietal ganglia. The presence of NADPH-diaphorase in the interneurons of procerebrum suggests the participation of this enzyme in the production of nitric oxide for the processing of the olfactory information, as has been suggested in mammalian olfactory tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sánchez-Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Histología, Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatría, México D.F., Mexico
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