Involvement of group Ⅲ metabotropic glutamate receptors in the modulation of spinal nociceptive signals

BACKGROUND： Previous morphological studies have demonstrated that group Ⅲ metabotropic glutamate receptors （mGluRs） are commonly found in nociceptive pathways, particularly in the terminals of primary afferent fibers in the spinal dorsal horn. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the role of group Ⅲ mGluRs in a rat model of spinal nociception by intrathecal administration of a selective agonist, L-Serine-O-phosphate （L-SOP）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment. The study was performed at the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Shanxi Medical University, between March 2007 and May 2008. MATERIALS： L-SOP of group Ⅲ mGluRs （Tocris Cookson Ltd, UK）, formalin （Sigma, USA）, rabbit anti-c-Fos polyclonal antibody and biotin-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG （Cell Signaling Technology, USA） were used in this study. METHODS： A total of 26 healthy Wistar rats, aged 1 month and weighing 100-120 g, were subjected to intrathecal catheter implantation. After 5-8 days, 10 rats were selected according to experimental requirements. L-SOP 250 nmol in 10 μL, or the equivalent volume of normal saline, was administered by intrathecal injection into the L3-5 region of the spinal cord in the experimental and control groups, respectively. After 15 minutes, formalin （5%, 50 μL） was subcutaneously injected into the plantar of the left hindpaw of each rat to establish formalin-induced pain models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Nociceptive behavioral responses and immunohistochemical examination of Fos expression. RESULTS： Intrathecal injection of L-SOP significantly attenuated the second phase nociceptive response compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）, and Fos expression in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly decreased along with the number of Fos-like immunoreactive neurons （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Group Ⅲ mGluRs are involved in the modulation of nociceptive signals, and their activation suppresses the transmission of nociceptive signals.     

Effects of Jisuikang on hemorheology and inflammatory factors in rats following spinal cord injury*☆

BACKGROUND： Trauma can damage the spinal cord or cauda equina to different degrees. Previous studies have verified that traditional Chinese medicine has effects on spinal cord injury via a variety of pathways. OBJECTIVE： To observe changes in hemorheology and inflammatory factors in spinal cord injury rats following treatment with the Chinese medicine Jisuikang, to verify the dose-dependent effect of Jisuikang, and to compare its effects with the effects of prednisone. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized study was performed at the Research Institute of Orthopedics, and Experimental Center of First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China from September 2007 to March 2008. MATERIALS： Jisuikang powdered extract, composed of milkvetch root （30 g）, Chinese angelica （12 g）, red peony root （12 g）, earthworm （10 g）, szechwan lovage rhizome （10 g）, peach seed （10 g） and safflower （10 g） was provided by the Experimental Center, First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese medicine. Each gram of powdered extract was equivalent to 6.47 g crude drug. METHODS： A total of 72 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups （n = 12）. Rat models of spinal cord injury were established using the occlusion method. Rats in the model group were treated with distilled water. Rats in the 25 g/kg, 12.5 g/kg, and 6.25 g/kg Jisuikang groups were given 25 g＆g, 12.5 g/kg, or 6.25 g/kg Jisuikang by gavage, for 14 days. Rats in the prednisone group received 0.06 g/kg prednisone by gavage, for 7 days. Rats in the normal group were given the same volume of distilled water. The volume of administration was 15 mL/kg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Rat serum interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor- α （TNF-α ）, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase levels, malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase activity and whole blood viscosity were measured in each group. Spinal cord around the site of the model was collected. Half the     

Differentiation of endogenous neural precursors following spinal cord injury in adult rats☆

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that cell death can activate proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells and promote newly generated cells to migrate to a lesion site.
OBJECTIVE： To observe regeneration and differentiation of neural cells following spinal cord injury in adult rats and to quantitatively analyze the newly differentiated cells.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cell biology experiment was performed at the Institute of Orthopedics and Medical Experimental Center, Lanzhou University, between August 2005 and October 2007.
MATERIALS： Fifty adult, Wistar rats of both sexes; 5-bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU, Sigma, USA）; antibodies against neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and myelin basic protein （Chemicon, USA）.
METHODS： Twenty-five rats were assigned to the spinal cord injury group and received a spinal cord contusion injury. Materials were obtained at day 1, 3, 7, 15, and 29 after injury, with 5 rats for each time point. Twenty-five rats were sham-treated by removing the lamina of the vertebral arch without performing a contusion.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The phenotype of BrdU-labeled cells, i.e., expression and distribution of surface markers for neurons （neuron-specific enolase）, astrocytes （glial fibrillary acidic protein）, and oligodendrocytes （myelin basic protein）, were identified with immunofluorescence double-labeling. Confocal microscopy was used to detect double-labeled cells by immunofluorescence. Quantitative analysis of newly generated cells was performed with stereological counting methods.
RESULTS： There was significant cell production and differentiation after adult rat spinal cord injury. The quantity of newly-generated BrdU-labeled cells in the spinal cord lesion was 75-fold greater than in the corresponding area of control animals. Endogenous neural precursor cells differentiated into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, however spontaneous neuronal differentiation was not detected. Between 7 and 29 d after spinal cord injury, newl     

Toll-like receptor 4-mediated nuclear factor-κB activation in spinal cord contributes to chronic morphine-induced analgesic tolerance and hyperalgesia in rats

Nuclear factor kappa B（NF-κB） in the spinal cord is involved in pro-infl ammatory cytokine-mediated pain facilitation. However, the role of NF-κB activation in chronic morphine-induced analgesic tolerance and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we found that the level of phosphorylated NF-κB p65（p-p65） was increased in the dorsal horn of the lumbar 4–6 segments after intrathecal administration of morphine for 7 consecutive days, and the p-p65 was co-localized with neurons and astrocytes. The expression of TNF-α and IL-1β was also increased in the same area. In addition, pretreatment with pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate（PDTC） or SN50, inhibitors of NF-κB, prevented the development of morphine analgesic tolerance and alleviated morphine withdrawal-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia. The increase in TNF-α and IL-1β expression induced by chronic morphine exposure was also partially blocked by PDTC pretreatment. In another experiment, rats receiving PDTC or SN50 beginning on day 7 of morphine injection showed partial recovery of the anti-nociceptive effects of morphine and attenuation of the withdrawal-induced abnormal pain. Meanwhile, intrathecal pretreatment with lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphae-roides, an antagonist of toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）, blocked the activation of NF-κB, and prevented the development of morphine tolerance and withdrawal-induced abnormal pain. These data indicated that TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation in the spinal cord is involved in the development and maintenance of morphine analgesic tolerance and withdrawalinduced pain hypersensitivity.     

Clock gene Per1 regulates the production of CCL2 and interleukin-6 through p38, JNK1 and NF-κB activation in spinal astrocytes

It has been previously reported that spinal clock genes controlled under circadian rhythm contribute to the regulation of astrocytic function, which in turn is involved in diverse processes such as nociceptive transduction and the induction of inflammation. However, how clock genes expressed in spinal cord astrocytes are associated with the modulation of the inflammatory response is poorly understood. In the current study, the role of Period1 (Per1), one of clock genes, in the expression of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are typical pro-inflammatory mediators produced by spinal astrocytes, was investigated. It was found that the knockdown of Per1 by using RNA interference led to a significant increase of the expression of CCL2 and IL-6 in cultured rat spinal astrocytes. Moreover, the silencing of the Per1 gene also increased the phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1 and IκBα, and led to the translocation of p65 from the cytosol to the nucleus. The induction of CCL2 and IL-6 was significantly inhibited by treatment with the inhibitors of p38, JNK, and NF-κB. By contrast, the overexpression of PER1 by transfection vector significantly blocked the expression of CCL2 and IL-6, and the activation of p38, JNK, and NF-κB. Together, these results suggest that down-regulation of Per1 induced the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK1 and the subsequent activation of NF-κB, and that these events contribute to neuroinflammatory state in the spinal cord via the induction of the release of inflammatory mediators.     

“Three Methods and Three Points” regulates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury

Tuina is a traditional Chinese treatment for sensory disturbances caused by peripheral nerve injury and related diseases. Our previous studies showed that tuina regulates relevant regions and indices of the spinal dorsal horn using the Dian, Bo, and Rou method in Yinmen(BL37), Yanglingquan(GB34), and Weizhong(BL40). Treatment prevents muscle atrophy, protects spinal cord neurons, and promotes sciatic nerve repair. The mechanisms of action of tuina for treating peripheral nerve injury remain poorly understood. This study established rat models of sciatic nerve injury using the crushing method. Rats received Chinese tuina in accordance with the principle of Three Methods and Three Points, once daily for 20 days. Tuina intervention reduced paw withdrawal latency and improved wet weight of the gastrocnemius muscle, as well as promoting morphological recovery of sciatic nerve fibers, Schwann cells, and axons. The protein expression levels of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β also decreased. These findings indicate that Three Methods and Three Points promoted morphological recovery and improved behavior of rats with peripheral nerve injury.     

Intrathecal MK-801 inhibits formalin-induced activation of spinal p38-MAPK in rats

BACKGROUND: p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays an instrumental role in signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus, while subcutaneous injection of formalin can induce increased activation of spinal p38 MAPK. However, the mechanisms underlying the formalin-induced activation of spinal p38 MAPK in rats are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 on the formalin-induced activation of spinal p38 MAPK in rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This randomized grouping, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Shanxi Medical University between May and November 2007. MATERIALS: Forty eight healthy, adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: formalin + normal saline (n = 12) and formalin + MK-801 (n = 36). The formalin + MK-801 group was further divided into three subgroups according to the dosage of MK-801 (10, 50, and 100 nmol/L, 12 rats for each subgroup) METHODS: Following anesthesia, polyethylene tubing filled with sterile normal saline was implanted into the subarachnoid cavity. On postoperative days 5-8, rats received a 15 minute perfusion of normal saline or MK-801 (10, 50, and 100 nmol/L) in the formalin + normal saline and formalin + MK-801 groups, respectively, followed by formalin injection for the induction of nociceptive behavior. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection of total p38 MAPK and of phosphorylated p38 MAPK by western Blot analysis; observation of nociceptive behaviors in the 1 hour after formalin injection. RESULTS: Western Blot analysis revealed that injection of formalin had no effect on total p38 MAPK expression but resulted in increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in the spinal cord. This increase was apparent after 5 minutes, peaked at 20 minutes, and thereafter descended and reached control levels after 45 minutes. Pretreatment with MK-801 (10, 50, 100 nmol/L) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in the spinal cord, 20 minutes after formalin injection. Injection of 50 and 100 nmol/L MK-801 produced a suppression of the first phase of nociceptive behaviors, and all three doses of MK-801 resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of the second phase of nociceptive behaviors. CONCLUSION: The NMDA receptor participates in formalin-induced activation of p38 MAPK in the rat spinal cord.     

NMDA受体拮抗剂MK—801阻断福尔马林诱导的大鼠脊髓c—Fos表达

大量证据表明，兴奋性氨基酸（ｅｘｃｉｔａｔｏｒｙａｍｉｎｏａｃｉｄｓ，ＥＡＡｓ）是脊椎动物中枢神经系统的兴奋神经递质，并参与伤害性信息的一级传递，但对ＮＭＤＡ受体在不同伤害性信息传递中的作用却颇有争议，本实验采用免疫组化方法显示脊髓Ｆｏｓ样免疫活性（Ｆｏｓ－ｌｉｋｅｉｍｍｕｎｏｒｅａｃｔｉｖｉｉｔｙ，ＥＬＩ）神经元，观察化学性伤害性刺激物福尔马林（５％，１５０μｌ）足底注射对脊髓ｃ－Ｆｏｓ表达的诱     

Effect of (+)MK-801 and ketamine on rapid tolerance to ethanol

The motor impairment (tilt-plane test) responses to ethanol were significantly reduced on days 2, 3, 4, or 5 in rats receiving ethanol (2.3 and 1.7 g/kg) 24 and 22 h earlier, compared to the control group pretreated with saline. Administration of (+)MK-801, prior to behavioral testing with ethanol on day 1, inhibited the development of tolerance on all these days. Tolerance and the inhibitory effect of (+)MK-801 could no longer be seen if the second injection of ethanol was given on day 7, 8 or 11. Administration of (+)MK-801 on day 1 but after behavioral testing with ethanol did not block the development of rapid tolerance to ethanol on day 2. Administration of another commonly employed NMDA antagonist, i.e., ketamine, prior to ethanol on day 1, also blocked the development of rapid tolerance to ethanol. The findings suggest that NMDA antagonists block rapid tolerance by preventing some adaptation that occurs during intoxicated practice.     

MK-801-induced neuronal damage in rats

The non-competitive N-methyl-

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-aspartate antagonist MK-801 has been frequently used to attenuate neurotoxicity mediated by excessive release of glutamate. However, doses of MK-801, effective to prevent cell loss in some areas have been reported to induce pathological changes in retrosplenial cortex [32]. In the present study, we examined the extent of the MK-801-induced damage. Silver staining techniques were used to label damaged neurons, axon terminals and activated microglia. In addition to the retrosplenial cortex, we observed silver-impregnated neurons in the pyriform, and entorhinal cortices, in amygdala in tenia tecti, and in the temporal two thirds of the dentate gyrus. With the exception of the dentate gyrus, signs of early degeneration appeared in the first 4 days in all observed regions. Activated microglia have been found 1 and 3 weeks after the lesion in the same areas. The time course and dose dependence of the damage was also investigated. The distribution of labeled neurons resembled the pattern observed after certain epileptic states. Our data suggest that irreversible cell damage occurred in the affected regions. These findings confirm and extend previous suggestions that, besides its protective effect, MK-801 may lead to neuronal degeneration. ©1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.     

NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 infused into the insular cortex prevents the attenuation of gustatory neophobia in rats

Gustatory neophobia dissipates with repeated exposures to an initially novel taste solution. The aim of the present study was to determine whether NMDA receptors in the insular cortex are involved in this experience-dependent process. Results showed that acute microinfusion of MK-801 into the insular cortex prevented the attenuation of gustatory neophobia indicating that this process is an NMDA receptor-dependent phenomenon.     

Effects of MK-801 on recognition and neurodegeneration in an MPTP-induced Parkinson's rat model

Several years after the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD), 20-30% of PD patients develop dementia, known as Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), the features of which include impairment of short-term memory and recognition function. Hyperactivation of the glutamatergic system is implicated in the neurodegeneration seen in PD. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of MK-801, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on short-term memory and object recognition in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD rat animal model. MPTP was injected stereotaxically into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of male Wistar rats, then, starting 1 day later (day 1), the rats were injected daily with MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and rats underwent a bar test on days 1-7, a T-maze test on days 8-10, and object recognition test on days 12-14. On day 1, the animals showed motor dysfunction, which recovered to control levels on day 7. MPTP-lesioned rats showed impairment of working memory in the T-maze test and of recognition in the object recognition test, both of which were prevented by MK-801 treatment. Furthermore, MPTP lesion-induced dopaminergic degeneration in the nigrostriatal system, microglial activation in the SNc, and cell loss in the hippocampal CA1 area were all improved by MK-801 treatment. These results suggest that NMDA receptors are involved in PD-related neuronal and behavioral dysfunction.     

Neuropeptide Y and the Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Attenuate Learning Impairments Induced by MK-801 via a Sigma Receptor-related mechanism

It has been shown recently that low doses of sigma (σ) receptor ligands like 1,3-di-(2-tolyl)guanidine (DTG), (+) N -allylnormetazocine [(+)SKF 10 047] and (+)pentazocine can antagonize learning impairments induced by dizocilpine (MK-801), a non-competitive antagonist at the NMDA receptor channel. This antagonism has been proposed to involve σ receptor sites since it is blocked by the administration of purported o antagonists such as NE-100 and BMY-14802. It has also been demonstrated that peptides of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) families modulate, in vivo , é labelling and electrophysiological effects in the hippocampal formation. Accordingly, we investigated if NPY- and CGRP-related peptides modulate cognitive processes by interacting with σ sites in mice. In order to test this hypothesis, a step-down passive avoidance task was used. Interestingly, similarly to various σ agonists, NPY, peptide YY (PYY) and the Y₁ agonist [Leu³¹Pro³⁴]NPY (but not NPY13–36, a purported Y₂ agonist), as well as hCGRPα and the purported CGRP₂ agonist [CyS(ACM)^2–7]hCGRPα (but not CGRP_8–37, a CGRP₁ receptor antagonist), significantly attenuated learning impairments induced by MK-801. Furthermore, the effects of NPY, [Leu³¹ Pro³⁴]NPY, hCGRPα and [CYS(ACM)^2–7]hCGRPα were blocked by the administration of the σ antagonist, BMY-14802. The present data suggest that NPY- and CGRP-related peptides can indirectly interact in vivo with σ receptors to modulate cognitive processes associated with NMDA receptor function.     

Intrahippocampal -cycloserine improves MK-801-induced memory deficits: radial-arm maze performance in rats

In order to investigate whether strychnine-insensitive glycine sites coupled with hippocampal NMDA (N-methyl- -aspartate) receptors are involved in spatial memory in rats, we examined the effects of intrahippocampal treatment of -cycloserine (DCS), a glycine-site agonist, on spatial-memory deficits which were produced by an NMDA antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine) on the radial-arm maze task. After the acquisition of this task, the radial-maze performance was tested under the combined treatments of intraperitoneal MK-801 or saline (SAL) and intrahippocampal DCS or SAL. The results showed that MK-801 impaired the performance, and that DCS improved the MK-801-induced performance impairment. These results suggest that glycine sites are involved in spatial memory through their modulatory action on hippocampal NMDA receptors.     

MK-801在脊髓缺血中的神经保护作用

目的地佐环平(MK-801)对脊髓缺血中神经保护作用的研究。方法建立新西兰兔脊髓缺血模型,利用HE染色、原位末端转移酶标记技术(TUNEL)、免疫组化、逆转录反应系统(RT-PCR)等技术检测N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸受体(N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor,NMDAR)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase,iNOS)、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3(Caspase-3)的表达水平,观察不同剂量MK-801在脊髓缺血中的神经保护作用。结果对照组脊髓结构完全消失,低剂量组结构较完整,高剂量组缺血损害程度最轻,假手术组脊髓结构正常。NMDAR、iNOS、Caspase-3等蛋白在神经元中有明确表达。凋亡指数、NMDAR、iNOS、Caspase-3 mRNA表达水平在对照组最高,低剂量组、高剂量组,假手术组则逐渐降低,差别具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 MK-801能抑制神经细胞凋亡,对脊髓缺血具有神经保护作用。