Selective postsynaptic inhibition of tonic-firing neurons in substantia gelatinosa by mu-opioid agonist

BACKGROUND: Spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) is a site of action of administered and endogenous opioid agonists and is an important element in the system of antinociception. However, little is known about the types of neurons serving as specific postsynaptic targets for opioid action within the SG. To study the spinal mechanisms of opioidergic analgesia, the authors compared the action of mu-opioid agonist [D-Ala, N-Me-Phe, Gly-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) on SG neurons with different intrinsic firing properties. METHODS: Whole cell patch clamp recordings from spinal cord slices of Wistar rats were used to study the sensitivity of SG neurons to DAMGO. RESULTS: Three groups of neurons with distinct distributions in SG were classified: tonic-, adapting-, and delayed-firing neurons. DAMGO at 1 microm concentration selectively hyperpolarized all tonic-firing neurons tested, whereas none of the adapting- or delayed-firing neurons were affected. The effect of DAMGO on tonic-firing neurons was due to activation of G protein-coupled inward-rectifier K conductance, which could be blocked by 500 microm Ba and 500 microm Cs but increased by 50 microm baclofen. As a functional consequence of DAMGO action, a majority of tonic-firing neurons changed their pattern of intrinsic firing from tonic to adapting. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that tonic-firing neurons, presumably functioning as excitatory interneurons, are primary postsynaptic targets for administered and endogenous opioid agonists in spinal SG. Functional transition of cells in this group from tonic to adapting firing mode may represent an important mechanism facilitating opioidergic analgesia.     

Differential Presynaptic Effects of Opioid Agonists on Aδ- and C-afferent Glutamatergic Transmission to the Spinal Dorsal Horn

Background: Although intrathecal administration of opioids produces antinociceptive effects in the spinal cord, it has not been established whether intrathecal opioid application more effectively terminates C fiber-mediated pain than A fiber-mediated pain. Here, the authors focus on the differences in opioid actions on A[delta]- and C-afferent responses.

Methods: Using the whole cell patch clamp technique, the authors investigated the presynaptic inhibitory actions of [mu]-, [delta]-, and [kappa]-opioid receptor agonists on primary afferent-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in substantia gelatinosa neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices.

Results: The [mu] agonist DAMGO (0.1, 1 [mu]m) reduced the amplitude of glutamatergic monosynaptic A[delta]- or C fiber-evoked EPSCs. C fiber-evoked EPSCs were inhibited to a greater extent than A[delta] fiber-evoked EPSCs. The [delta] agonist DPDPE (1, 10 [mu]m) produced modest inhibition of A[delta]- or C fiber-evoked EPSCs. In contrast, the [kappa] agonist U69593 (1 [mu]m) did not affect the amplitude of either A[delta] or C fiber-evoked EPSCs.     

Meperidine Suppresses the Excitability of Spinal Dorsal Horn Neurons

Background: In addition to local anesthetics, meperidine has been successfully used for local anesthesia. When applied intrathecally, the dorsal horn neurons of the superficial laminae are exposed to high concentrations of meperidine. These cells represent an important point for the transmission of pain information. This study investigated the blocking effects of meperidine on different ionic currents of spinal dorsal horn neurons and, in particular, its impact on the generation of action potentials.

Methods: Using a combination of the patch clamp technique and the entire soma isolation method, the action of meperidine on voltage-gated Na+ and K+ currents in spinal dorsal horn neurons of rats was described. Current clamp recordings from intact neurons showed the functional relevance of the ion current blockade for the generation of action potentials.

Results: Externally applied meperidine reversibly blocked voltage-gated Na+ currents with a half-maximum inhibiting concentration (IC50) of 112 [mu]m. During repetitive stimulation, a slight phasic block occurred. In addition, A-type K+ currents and delayed-rectifier K+ currents were affected in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 102 and 52 [mu]m, respectively. In the current clamp mode, single action potentials were suppressed by meperidine. The firing frequency was lowered to 54% at concentrations (100 [mu]m) insufficient for the suppression of a single action potential.     

Suppression of Potassium Conductance by Droperidol Has Influence on Excitability of Spinal Sensory Neurons

Background: During spinal and epidural anesthesia with opioids, droperidol is added to prevent nausea and vomiting. The mechanisms of its action on spinal sensory neurons are not well understood. It was previously shown that droperidol selectively blocks a fast component of the Na+ current. The authors studied the action of droperidol on voltage-gated K+ channels and its effect on membrane excitability in spinal dorsal horn neurons of the rat.

Methods: Using a combination of the patch-clamp technique and the "entire soma isolation" method, the action of droperidol on fast-inactivating A-type and delayed-rectifier K+ channels was investigated. Current-clamp recordings from intact sensory neurons in spinal cord slices were performed to study the functional meaning of K+ channel block for neuronal excitability.

Results: Droperidol blocked delayed-rectifier K+ currents in isolated somata of dorsal horn neurons with a half-maximum inhibiting concentration of 20.6 [mu]m. The A-type K+ current was insensitive to up to 100 [mu]m droperidol. At droperidol concentrations insufficient for suppression of an action potential, the block of delayed-rectifier K+ channels led to an increase in action potential duration and, as a consequence, to lowering of the discharge frequency in the neuron.     

Propofol and Sevoflurane Depress Spinal Neurons In Vitro via Different Molecular Targets

Background: The capacity of general anesthetics to produce immobility is primarily spinally mediated. Recently, compelling evidence has been provided that the spinal actions of propofol involve [gamma]-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors, whereas the contribution of glycine receptors remains uncertain. The relevant molecular targets of the commonly used volatile anesthetic sevoflurane in the spinal cord are largely unknown, but indirect evidence suggests a mechanism of action distinct from propofol.

Methods: The effects of sevoflurane and propofol on spontaneous action potential firing were investigated by extracellular voltage recordings from ventral horn interneurons in cultured spinal cord tissue slices obtained from embryonic rats (embryonic days 14-15).

Results: Propofol and sevoflurane reduced spontaneous action potential firing of neurons. Concentrations causing half-maximal effects (0.11 [mu]m propofol, 0.11 mm sevoflurane) were lower than the median effective concentration immobility (1-1.5 [mu]m propofol, 0.35 mm sevoflurane). At higher concentrations, complete inhibition of action potential activity was observed with sevoflurane but not with propofol. Effects of sevoflurane were mediated predominantly by glycine receptors (45%) and GABAA receptors (38%), whereas propofol acted almost exclusively via GABAA receptors (96%).     

Differential Block of Fast and Slow Inactivating Tetrodotoxin-sensitive Sodium Channels by Droperidol in Spinal Dorsal Horn Neurons

Background: Dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord participate in neuronal pain transmission. During spinal and epidural anesthesia, dorsal horn neurons are exposed to local anesthetics and opioids. Droperidol is usually given with opioids to avoid nausea and vomiting. A recently developed method of "entire soma isolation" has made it possible to study directly the action of droperidol on different components of Na+ current in dorsal horn neurons.

Methods: Using a combination of the whole-cell patch-clamp recording from spinal cord slices and the entire soma isolation method, we studied the direct action of droperidol on two types of Na+ currents in dorsal horn neurons of young rats.

Results: The tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ current in isolated somata consisted of a fast inactivating ([tau]F, 0.5-2 ms; 80-90% of the total amplitude) and a slow inactivating ([tau]S, 6-20 ms; 10-20% of the total amplitude) component. Droperidol, at concentrations relevant for spinal and epidural anesthesia, selectively and reversibly suppressed the fast component with a half-maximum inhibiting concentration (IC50) of 8.3 [mu]m. The slow inactivating component was much less sensitive to droperidol; the estimated IC50 value was 809 [mu]m.     

Opioid Action on Respiratory Neuron Activity of the Isolated Respiratory Network in Newborn Rats

Background: Underlying mechanisms behind opioid-induced respiratory depression are not fully understood. The authors investigated changes in burst rate, intraburst firing frequency, membrane properties, as well as presynaptic and postsynaptic events of respiratory neurons in the isolated brainstem after administration of opioid receptor agonists.

Methods: Newborn rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations were used and superfused with [mu]-, [kappa]-, and [delta]-opioid receptor agonists. Whole cell recordings were performed from three major classes of respiratory neurons (inspiratory, preinspiratory, and expiratory).

Results: Mu- and [kappa]-opioid receptor agonists reduced the spontaneous burst activity of inspiratory neurons and the C4 nerve activity. Forty-two percent of the inspiratory neurons were hyperpolarized and decreased in membrane resistance during opioid-induced respiratory depression. Furthermore, under synaptic block by tetrodotoxin perfusion, similar changes of inspiratory neuronal membrane properties occurred after application of [mu]- and [kappa]-opioid receptor agonists. In contrast, resting membrane potential and membrane resistance of preinspiratory and majority of expiratory neurons were unchanged by opioid receptor agonists, even during tetrodotoxin perfusion. Simultaneous recordings of inspiratory and preinspiratory neuronal activities confirmed the selective inhibition of inspiratory neurons caused by [mu]- and [kappa]-opioid receptor agonists. Application of opioids reduced the slope of rising of excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked by contralateral medulla stimulation, resulting in a prolongation of the latency of successive first action potential responses.     

Functional μ Opioid Receptors Are Reduced in the Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn of Diabetic Rats

Background: The mechanisms of decreased spinal analgesic potency of morphine in neuropathic pain are not fully known. Agonist-stimulated [35S]GTP[gamma]S receptor autoradiography has been used to measure receptor activation of G proteins in vitro. Using this technique, we determined changes in the functional [mu] opioid receptors in the spinal dorsal horn in diabetic rats.

Methods: Rats were rendered diabetic with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The lumbar spinal cord was obtained from age-matched normal and diabetic rats 4 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. [D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO, 10 [mu]m)-stimulated [35S]GTP[gamma]S binding was performed in both tissue sections and isolated membranes.

Results: The DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTP[gamma]S binding in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly reduced (approximately 37%) in diabetic rats compared with normal rats. However, [35S]GTP[gamma]S bindings in the spinal dorsal horn stimulated by other G protein-coupled receptor agonists, including [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]-enkephalin, R (-)N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine, and WIN-55212, were not significantly altered in diabetic rats. The basal [35S]GTP[gamma]S binding in the spinal dorsal horn was slightly (approximately 13%) but significantly increased in diabetic rats. Western blot analysis revealed no significant difference in the expression of the [alpha] subunits of Gi and Go proteins in the dorsal spinal cord between normal and diabetic rats.     

α2 Adrenoceptor-mediated Presynaptic Inhibition of Primary Afferent Glutamatergic Transmission in Rat Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons

Background: Although intrathecal administration of norepinephrine is known to produce analgesia, cellular mechanisms for this action have not yet been fully understood.

Methods: The actions of norepinephrine (50 [mu]m) on glutamatergic transmission were examined by using the whole cell patch clamp technique in substantia gelatinosa neurons of an adult rat spinal cord slice with an attached dorsal root.

Results: Norepinephrine inhibited the amplitude of monosynaptically evoked A[delta]-fiber and C-fiber excitatory postsynaptic currents in a reversible manner. When compared in magnitude between the A[delta]-fiber and C-fiber excitatory postsynaptic currents, the former inhibition (50 +/- 4%, n = 20) was significantly larger than the latter one (28 +/- 4%, n = 8). Both actions of norepinephrine were mimicked by an [alpha]2 adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine (10 [mu]m), and an [alpha]2A agonist, oxymetazoline (10 [mu]m), but not by an [alpha]1 agonist, phenylephrine (10 [mu]m), and a [beta] agonist, isoproterenol (40 [mu]m). The inhibitory actions were antagonized by an [alpha]2 antagonist, yohimbine (1 [mu]m), all of the results of which indicate an involvement of [alpha]2 adrenoceptors. Norepinephrine did not affect the amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current and of a response of substantia gelatinosa neurons to AMPA, indicating that its action on evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents is presynaptic in origin.     

In Vitro Electrophysiologic Effects of Morphine in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

Background: Morphine is widely used in patients undergoing surgical operations and is also reported to mediate cardioprotection of preconditioning. The current study determined effects of morphine at therapeutic to pharmacologic concentrations on cardiac action potential, L-type Ca2+ current (ICa.L), delayed rectifier K+ current (IK), and inward rectifier K+ current (IK1) in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes.

Methods: Ventricular myocytes were enzymatically isolated from rabbit hearts. Action potential and membrane currents were recorded in current and voltage clamp modes.

Results: Morphine at concentrations from 0.01 to 1 [mu]m significantly prolonged cardiac action potential, and at 0.1 and 1 [mu]m slightly but significantly hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential. In addition, morphine at 0.1 [mu]m significantly augmented ICa.L (at +10 mV) from 5.9 +/- 1.9 to 7.3 +/- 1.7 pA/pF (by 23%; P < 0.05 vs. control) and increased IK1 (at -60 mV) from 2.8 +/- 1.0 to 3.5 +/- 0.9 pA/pF (by 27%; P < 0.05 vs. control). Five [mu]m naltrindole (a selective [delta]-opioid receptor antagonist) or 5 [mu]m norbinaltorphimine (a selective [kappa]-opioid receptor antagonist) prevented the increase in ICa.L induced by morphine, but 5 [mu]m CTOP (a selective [mu]-opioid receptor antagonist) did not. The three types of opioid antagonists did not affect the augmentation of IK1 by morphine. Morphine had no effect on IK.     

Antinociceptive Effect of Morphine, but not μ Opioid Receptor Number, Is Attenuated in the Spinal Cord of Diabetic Rats

Background: The mechanisms of decreased analgesic potency of [mu] opioids in diabetic neuropathic pain are not fully known. The authors recently found that G protein activation stimulated by the [mu] opioid agonist is significantly reduced in the spinal cord dorsal horn in diabetes. In the current study, they determined potential changes in the number and binding affinity of [mu] opioid receptors in the spinal cord in diabetic rats.

Methods: Rats were rendered diabetic with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The nociceptive withdrawal threshold was measured before and after intrathecal injection of morphine by applying a noxious pressure stimulus to the hind paw. The [mu] opioid receptor was determined with immunocytochemistry labeling and a specific [mu] opioid receptor radioligand, [3H]-(d-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5)-enkephalin ([3H]-DAMGO), in the dorsal spinal cord obtained from age-matched normal and diabetic rats 4 weeks after streptozotocin treatment.

Results: The antinociceptive effect of intrathecal morphine (2-10 [mu]g) was significantly reduced in diabetic rats, with an ED50 about twofold higher than that in normal rats. However, both the dissociation constant (3.99 +/- 0.22 vs. 4.01 +/- 0.23 nm) and the maximal specific binding (352.78 +/- 37.26 vs. 346.88 +/- 35.23 fmol/mg protein) of [3H]-DAMGO spinal membrane bindings were not significantly different between normal and diabetic rats. The [mu] opioid receptor immunoreactivity in the spinal cord dorsal horn also was similar in normal and diabetic rats.     

Ketamine Inhibits Sodium Currents in Identified Cardiac Parasympathetic Neurons in Nucleus Ambiguus

Background: Ketamine increases both blood pressure and heart rate, effects commonly thought of as sympathoexcitatory. The authors investigated the possibility that ketamine increases heart rate by inhibiting the central cardiac parasympathetic mechanisms.

Methods: We used a novel in vitro approach to study the effect of ketamine on the identified cardiac parasympathetic preganglionic neurons in rat brainstem slices. The cardiac parasympathetic neurons in the nucleus ambiguus were retrogradely prelabeled with the fluorescent tracer by placing rhodamine into the pericardial sac. Dye-labeled neurons were visually identified for patch clamp recording, and ketamine effects on isolated potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) currents were studied.

Results: Cardiac nucleus ambiguus neurons (n = 14) were inherently silent, but depolarization evoked sustained action potential trains with little delay or adaptation. Ketamine (10 [mu]m) reduced this response but had no effect on the voltage threshold for action potentials (n = 14;P > 0.05). The current-voltage relations for the transient K+ current and the delayed rectified K+ current (n = 5) were unaltered by ketamine (10 [mu]m-1 mm). Ketamine depressed the total Na+ current dose-dependently (10 [mu]m-1 mm). In addition, ketamine shifted the Na+ current inactivation curves to more negative potentials, thus suggesting the enhancement of the Na+ channel inactivation (P < 0.05; n = 7). In the presence of Cd2+, ketamine (10 [mu]m) continued to inhibit voltage-gated Na+ currents, which recovered completely within 10 min.     

Subpopulation of Dorsal Horn Neurons Displays Enhanced N-methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Function after Chronic Morphine Exposure

Background: Morphine tolerance may be attributed to enhancement of glutamatergic neurotransmission, in particular to increased function of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The cellular mechanisms responsible for these changes remain poorly defined. The authors identified and characterized a specific subpopulation of dorsal horn neurons, displaying NMDA receptor plasticity in response to chronic morphine administration.

Methods: The authors undertook current clamped and voltage clamped recordings of NMDA receptor-mediated responses from cultured rat dorsal horn neurons that were untreated or treated for 7 days with 1 or 100 [mu]m morphine.

Results: Smaller (capacitance <= 22 pF), tonic firing neurons showed a significantly enhanced NMDA receptor-mediated peak current after prolonged morphine treatment, whereas larger and phasic firing neurons showed no enhancement. With high-concentration but not low-concentration morphine treatment, Mg2+ blockade of NMDA receptors at resting membrane potentials was reduced. Furthermore, the chronic opioid-induced increase in NMDA current was attenuated by pretreatment with either a [mu]-opioid receptor inhibitor (naloxone) or an NMDA receptor inhibitor (2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate) (low-concentration > high-concentration morphine).     

Activation of μ- and δ-Opioid Receptors Causes Presynaptic Inhibition of Glutamatergic Excitation in Neocortical Neurons

Background: The mechanism underlying the depressant effect of opioids on neuronal activity within the neocortex is still not clear. Three modes of action have been suggested: (1) inhibition by activation of postsynaptic potassium channels, (2) interaction with postsynaptic glutamate receptors, and (3) presynaptic inhibition of glutamate release. To address this issue, the authors investigated the effects of [mu]- and [delta]-receptor agonists on excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and on membrane properties of neocortical neurons.

Methods: Intracellular recordings were performed in rat brain slices. Stimulus-evoked EPSCs mediated by different glutamate receptor subtypes were pharmacologically isolated, and opioids were applied by addition to the bathing medium. Possible postsynaptic interactions between glutamate and opioid receptors were investigated using microiontophoretic application of glutamate on neurons functionally isolated from presynaptic input.

Results: [delta]-Receptor activation by d-Ala2-d-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) reduced the amplitudes of EPSCs by maximum 60% in a naltrindole-reversible manner (EC50: 6-15 nm). In 30-40% of the neurons investigated, higher concentrations (0.1-1 [mu]m) of DADLE activated small outward currents. The [mu]-receptor selective agonist d-Ala2-N-MePhe5-Gly5-ol-enkephalin (0.1-1 [mu]m) depressed the amplitudes of EPSCs by maximum 30% without changes in postsynaptic membrane properties. In the absence of synaptic transmission, inward currents induced by microiontophoretic application of glutamate were not affected by DADLE.     

Actions of Midazolam on Excitatory Transmission in Dorsal Horn Neurons of Adult Rat Spinal Cord

Background: Although intrathecal administration of midazolam, a water-soluble imidazobenzodiazepine derivative, has been found to produce analgesia, how it exerts this effect at the neuronal level in the spinal cord is not fully understood.

Methods: The effects of midazolam on electrically evoked and spontaneous excitatory transmission were examined in lamina II neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices using the whole cell patch clamp technique.

Results: Bath-applied midazolam (1 [mu]m) diminished A[delta]- and C-fiber evoked polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents in both amplitude and integrated area. However, it affected neither A[delta]- and C-fiber evoked monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents in amplitude nor miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in amplitude, frequency, and decay time constant. In the presence of a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil (5 [mu]m), midazolam (1 [mu]m) did not diminish A[delta]-fiber evoked polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that midazolam modulate the [gamma]-aminobutyric acid interneurons in the dorsal horn.     

Interaction between the Spinal Melanocortin and Opioid Systems in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain

Background: The authors recently demonstrated that administration of the melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist SHU9119 decreased neuropathic pain symptoms in rats with a sciatic chronic constriction injury. The authors hypothesised that there is a balance between tonic pronociceptive effects of the spinal melanocortin system and tonic antinociceptive effects of the spinal opioid system. Therefore, they investigated a possible interaction between these two systems and tested whether opioid effectiveness could be increased through modulation of the spinal melanocortin system activity.

Methods: In chronic constriction injury rats, melanocortin and opioid receptor ligands were administered through a lumbar spinal catheter, and their effects on mechanical allodynia were assessed by von Frey probing.

Results: Naloxone (10-100 [mu]g) dose-dependently increased allodynia (percent of maximum possible effect of -67 +/- 9%), which is in agreement with a tonic antinociceptive effect of the opioid system. SHU9119 decreased allodynia (percent of maximum possible effect of 60 +/- 13%), and this effect could be blocked by a low dose of naloxone (0.1 [mu]g), which by itself had no effect on withdrawal thresholds. Morphine (1-10 [mu]g) dose-dependently decreased allodynia (percent of maximum possible effect of 73 +/- 14% with the highest dose tested). When 0.5 [mu]g SHU9119 (percent of maximum possible effect of 47 +/- 14%) was given 15 min before morphine, there was an additive antiallodynic effect of both compounds.     

Meperidine Exerts Agonist Activity at the α2B-Adrenoceptor Subtype

Background: The opioid agonist meperidine has actions, such as antishivering, that are more pronounced than those of other opioid agonists and that are not blocked with nonselective opioid antagonists. Agonists at the [alpha]2 adrenoceptors, such as clonidine, are very effective antishivering drugs. Preliminary evidence also indicates that meperidine interacts with [alpha]2 adrenoceptors. The authors therefore studied the ability of meperidine to bind and activate each of the [alpha]2-adrenoceptor subtypes in a transfected cell system.

Methods: The ability of meperidine to bind to and inhibit forskolin-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation as mediated by the three [alpha]2-adrenoceptor subtypes transiently transfected into COS-7 cells has been tested. The ability of the opioid antagonist naloxone and the [alpha]2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine and RX821002 to block the analgesic action of meperidine in the hot-plate test was also assessed. The ability of meperidine to fit into the [alpha]2B adrenoceptor was assessed using molecular modeling techniques.

Results: Meperidine bound to all [alpha]2-adrenoceptor subtypes, with [alpha]2B having the highest affinity ([alpha]2B, 8.6 +/- 0.3 [mu]m; [alpha]2C, 13.6 +/- 1.5 [mu]m, P < 0.05; [alpha]2A, 38.6 +/- 0.7 [mu]m). Morphine was ineffective at binding to any of the receptor subtypes. Meperidine inhibited the production of forskolin-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate mediated by all receptor subtypes but was most effective at the [alpha]2B adrenoceptor ([alpha]2B, 0.6 [mu]m; [alpha]2A, 1.3 mm; [alpha]2C, 0.3 mm), reaching the same level of inhibition (approximately 70%) as achieved with the [alpha]2-adrenoceptor agonist dexmedetomidine. The analgesic action of meperidine was blocked by naloxone but not by the [alpha]2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine and RX821002. The modeling studies demonstrated that meperidine can fit into the [alpha]2B-adrenoceptor subtype.     

Functional mu opioid receptors are reduced in the spinal cord dorsal horn of diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of decreased spinal analgesic potency of morphine in neuropathic pain are not fully known. Agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS receptor autoradiography has been used to measure receptor activation of G proteins in vitro. Using this technique, we determined changes in the functional mu opioid receptors in the spinal dorsal horn in diabetic rats. METHODS: Rats were rendered diabetic with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The lumbar spinal cord was obtained from age-matched normal and diabetic rats 4 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. [D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO, 10 microm)-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding was performed in both tissue sections and isolated membranes. RESULTS: The DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly reduced (approximately 37%) in diabetic rats compared with normal rats. However, [35S]GTPgammaS bindings in the spinal dorsal horn stimulated by other G protein-coupled receptor agonists, including [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]-enkephalin, R(-)N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine, and WIN-55212, were not significantly altered in diabetic rats. The basal [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the spinal dorsal horn was slightly (approximately 13%) but significantly increased in diabetic rats. Western blot analysis revealed no significant difference in the expression of the alpha subunits of G(i) and G(o) proteins in the dorsal spinal cord between normal and diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the functional mu opioid receptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn of diabetic rats are reduced. The impaired functional mu opioid receptors in the spinal cord may constitute one of the mechanisms underlying the reduced spinal analgesic effect of mu opioids in diabetic neuropathic pain.     

Propofol Modulates γ-Aminobutyric Acid-mediated Inhibitory Neurotransmission to Cardiac Vagal Neurons in the Nucleus Ambiguus

Background: Although it is well recognized that anesthetics modulate the central control of cardiorespiratory homeostasis, the cellular mechanisms by which anesthetics alter cardiac parasympathetic activity are poorly understood. One common site of action of anesthetics is inhibitory neurotransmission. This study investigates the effect of propofol on [gamma]-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) and glycinergic neurotransmission to cardiac parasympathetic neurons.

Methods: Cardiac parasympathetic neurons were identified in vitro by the presence of a retrograde fluorescent tracer, and spontaneous GABAergic and glycinergic synaptic currents were examined using whole cell patch clamp techniques.

Results: Propofol at concentrations of 1.0 [mu]m and greater significantly (P < 0.05) increased the duration and decay time of spontaneous GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents. To determine whether the action of propofol was at presynaptic or postsynaptic sites, tetrodotoxin was applied to isolate miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Propofol at concentrations of 1.0 [mu]m and greater significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged the decay time and duration of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, indicating that propofol directly alters GABAergic neurotransmission at a postsynaptic site. Propofol at high concentrations (>=50 [mu]m) also inhibited the frequency of both GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Propofol at concentrations up to 50 [mu]m had no effect on glycinergic neurotransmission.     

Enflurane Directly Depresses Glutamate AMPA and NMDA Currents in Mouse Spinal Cord Motor Neurons Independent of Actions on GABAA or Glycine Receptors

Background: The spinal cord is an important anatomic site at which volatile agents act to prevent movement in response to a noxious stimulus. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that enflurane acts directly on motor neurons to inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission at glutamate receptors.

Methods: Whole-cell recordings were made in visually identified motor neurons in spinal cord slices from 1- to 4-day-old mice. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) or potentials (EPSPs) were evoked by electrical stimulation of the dorsal root entry area or dorsal horn. The EPSCs were isolated pharmacologically into glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor- and non-NMDA receptor-mediated components by using selective antagonists. Currents also were evoked by brief pulse pressure ejection of glutamate under various conditions of pharmacologic blockade. Enflurane was made up as a saturated stock solution and diluted in the superfusate; concentrations were measured using gas chromatography.

Results: Excitatory postsynaptic currents and EPSPs recorded from motor neurons by stimulation in the dorsal horn were mediated by glutamate receptors of both non-NMDA and NMDA subtypes. Enflurane at a general anesthetic concentration (one minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration) reversibly depressed EPSCs and EPSPs. Enflurane also depressed glutamate-evoked currents in the presence of tetrodotoxin (300 nm), showing that its actions are postsynaptic. Block of inhibitory [gamma]-aminobutyric acid A and glycine receptors by bicuculline (20 [mu]m) or strychnine (2 [mu]m) or both did not significantly reduce the effects of enflurane on glutamate-evoked currents. Enflurane also depressed glutamate-evoked currents if the inhibitory receptors were blocked and if either D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (50 [mu]m) or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione disodium (10 [mu]m) was applied to block NMDA or [alpha]-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-kainate receptors respectively.