Amitriptyline modulation of Na(+) channels in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The effects of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, on tetrodotoxin-sensitive and tetrodotoxin-resistant Na(+) currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons were studied using the whole-cell patch clamp method. Amitriptyline blocked both types of Na(+)currents in a dose-and holding potential-dependent manner. At the holding potential of -80 mV, the apparent dissociation constants (K(d)) for amitriptyline to block tetrodotoxin-sensitive and tetrodotoxin-resistant Na(+) channels were 4.7 and 105 microM, respectively. These values increased to 181 and 193 microM, respectively, when the membrane was held at a potential negative enough to remove the steady-state inactivation. Amitriptyline dose-dependently shifted the steady-state inactivation curves in the hyperpolarizing direction and increased the values of the slope factors for both types of Na(+) channels. The voltage dependence of the activation of both types of Na(+) channels was shifted in the depolarizing direction. It was concluded that amitriptyline blocked the two types of Na(+) channels in rat sensory neurons by modulating the activation and the inactivation kinetics.     

Bradykinin-induced modulation of calcium signals in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro

We used combined patch-clamp-microfluorimetric recordings to examine the effects of bradykinin on [Ca2+]i transients and the Ca2+ current (ICa) in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro. Bradykinin increased [Ca2+]i in approximately 20% of dorsal root ganglion cells examined and inhibited the ICa in approximately 65% of dorsal root ganglion cells. Bradykinin also inhibited the ICa when [Ca2+]i was buffered with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or when Ba2+ was the charge carrier. When ICa's of increasing duration were elicited in these neurons, [Ca2+]i transients were produced that increased in amplitude but eventually approached an asymptote at longer voltage steps. Similarly, the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient also approached an asymptote in current-clamp recordings when cells were induced to fire a large number of action potentials. The bradykinin-induced inhibition of the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient was more pronounced at shorter voltage steps. At pulse durations that produced asymptotic [Ca2+]i signals, bradykinin no longer decreased the amplitude of the rise in [Ca2+]i, although it still reduced the ICa. In current-clamp recordings, bradykinin also reduced the [Ca2+]i signal that accompanied the generation of action potentials, but again bradykinin was more effective for shorter spike trains. Bradykinin also depolarized the majority of neurons (65%). The reduction in [Ca2+]i produced by bradykinin in sensory neurons may be an important factor contributing to bradykinin-induced excitation of primary sensory afferents.     

Cell type-specific ATP-activated responses in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

1. The aim of our study is to clarify the relationship between expression pattern of P2X receptors and the cell type of male adult rat (Wistar) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. We identified the nociceptive cells of acutely dissociated DRG neurons from adult rats type using capsaicin sensitivity. 2. Two types of ATP-activated currents, one with fast, the other with slow desensitization, were found under voltage-clamp conditions. In addition, cells with fast but not slow desensitization responded to capsaicin, indicating that there was a relationship between current kinetics and capsaicin-sensitivity. 3. Both types of neurons were responsive to ATP and alpha, beta methylene-ATP (alpha,betameATP). The concentration of alpha,(beta)meATP producing half-maximal activation (EC50) of neurons with fast desensitization was less (11 microM) than that of neurons with slow desensitization (63 microM), while the Hill coefficients were similar. Suramin and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid tetrasodium (PPADS) antagonized alpha,betameATP-induced currents in both types of neurons. 4. In situ hybridization revealed that small cells of the DRG predominantly expressed mRNAs of P2X3 and medium-sized cells expressed mRNAs of P2X2 and P2X3. In contrast, both of mRNAs were not detected in large cells of the DRG. 5. These results suggest that capsaicin-sensitive, small-sized DRG neurons expressed mainly the homomeric P2X3 subunit and that capsaicin-insensitive, medium-sized DRG neurons expressed the heteromultimeric receptor with P2X2 and P2X3.     

巴分对大鼠背根神经节神经元NMDA激活电流的抑制作用

AIM: To explore the modulatory effect of baclofen on NMDA-activated current in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. METHODS: Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record NMDA-activated current in isolated DRG neurons. Drugs were applied by rapid solution exchange. RESULTS: Preapplication of baclofen 1-100 mumol.L-1 induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the inward NMDA-activated current markedly. NMDA (100 mumol.L-1)-activated current was inhibited by 52% +/- 14% (n = 11, P < 0.01) by preapplication of baclofen 100 mumol.L-1. The inhibitory effect of baclofen was reversible, and was removed by saclofen 100 mumol.L-1, which was a selective antagonist of GABAB receptor. CONCLUSION: Preapplication of baclofen exerts an inhibitory effect on NMDA-activated current in the primary sensory neurons.     

葛根素抑制大鼠背根神经节细胞河豚毒素不敏感性钠电流(英文)

目的:测定葛根素(Pue)对大鼠背根神经节(DRG)细胞河豚毒素不敏感性(TTXr)钠电流的作用。方法:采用全细胞钳制技术,记录成年Wistar大鼠DRG神经元中TTXr钠电流。结果:Pue在0.01-2mmol·L~(-1)浓度范围内,对TTXr钠电流的抑制率为9.5％-83.2％。该抑制作用为浓度依赖性,可部分洗脱,但非频率依赖性或电压依赖性。Pue不影响失活曲线,但使1/2最大激活电压由-26mV升至-16mV,说明抑制了激活过程。结论:Pue抑制大鼠DRG细胞中TTXr钠电流。     

龙血素B抑制大鼠背根神经节细胞辣椒素诱发的电流反应

目的探讨龙血素B对大鼠背根神经节细胞辣椒素诱发的辣椒素受体电流的影响。方法采用全细胞膜片钳技术在急性分离的大鼠背根神经节细胞上观察龙血素B对辣椒素诱发的辣椒素受体电流的影响。结果①在-60mV的钳制电位下,辣椒素受体拮抗剂辣椒卓平可以完全抑制辣椒素受体电流;②不同浓度的龙血素B溶液对辣椒素诱发的受体电流具有浓度依赖的抑制作用;2.0、4.0、8.0和16.0μmol.L-1的龙血素B溶液对辣椒素诱发的受体电流峰值的抑制率分别为15.36%±2.12%、36.41%±2.43%、76.26%±2.16%和96.69%±3.21%(n=10,P<0.05),半数抑制浓度(IC50)为4.9μmol.L-1,Hill系数为2.29。结论龙血素B可以明显抑制辣椒素诱发的辣椒素受体电流,影响痛觉信息的传入,这可能是以龙血素B为重要成分的中药血竭产生镇痛作用的机制之一。     

Methyl mercury reduces voltage-activated currents of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Methyl mercury (MeHg) is a widespread toxicant with major actions on the nervous system. Since the function of neurons depends on voltage gated ion channels, we examined the effects of micromolar concentrations of methyl mercury on voltage-activated calcium, potassium and sodium channel currents of cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The cells, which were obtained from 2–4 day old rat pups, were whole-cell patch-clamped. Currents were separated by selective intra-and extracellular solutions as well as specific depolarizing voltage steps. We did not distinguish between different calcium, potassium or sodium channel subtypes.All three types of voltage-activated currents were irreversibly reduced by McHg in a concentration dependent manner. Voltage-activated calcium and potassium channel currents were more sensitive to MeHg (Calcium: IC₅₀ = 2.6±0.4 M; Potassium: IC₅₀ = 2.2±0.3 M) than voltage-activated sodium channels (IC₅₀ = 12.3±2.0 M). The Hill coefficients for the reduction of the currents were calculated as 1 for calcium and potassium channel currents and as 1.7 for sodium currents. In the cases of the voltage-activated calcium and sodium channel currents the reduction was clearly use dependent. Higher concentrations of McHg ( 5 M) resulted in a biphasic change in the holding membrane current at the potential of –80 mV in 25% of the cases.     

Modulation by oxytocin of ATP-activated currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The modulatory effect of oxytocin (OT) on ATP-activated currents (I(ATP)) was studied in freshly isolated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of rats using whole cell clamp technique. In most of the neurons examined (50/70, 71.4%) extracellular application of OT (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/L) suppressed I(ATP) while in the rest (20/70, 28.6%) no modulatory effect was observed. OT shifted the ATP concentration-response curve downwards with a decrease of 39.8+/-4.2% in the maximal current response and with no significant change of Kd value. This OT-induced inhibition of I(ATP) showed no voltage dependence, and could be blocked by [d(CH(2))(5),Tyr(Me)(2),Thr(4),Tyr-NH(2)(9)]-OVT (d(CH(2))(5)-OVT) (10(-8) mol/L), a specific OT receptor antagonist. Intracellular application of H-9 (4 x 10(-5) mol/L, an inhibitor of protein kinase A) (n=12), BAPTA (10(-2) mol/L, a chelator of calcium ions) (n=4) could reverse the inhibitory effect of extracellular OT (10(-7) mol), while inclusion of H-7 (2 x 10(-5) mol/L, a protein kinase C inhibitior) (n=8) and KN-93 (10(-5) mol/L, an inhibitor of CaMKII) (n=9) in the recording pipette did not affect this effect. The results suggested that OT inhibition on ATP-activated currents was mediated by OT receptors in the membrane of DRG neurons; and this inhibitory effect involved the transduction of intracellular cAMP-PKA and Ca(2+).     

苯佐卡因对大鼠背根神经节神经元河豚毒素不敏感型钠离子通道的影响

目的研究苯佐卡因(BZC)对大鼠背根神经节(DRG)神经元河豚毒素不敏感型(TTX-r)钠电流的影响,探讨其镇痛作用的机制。方法酶解法分离新生大鼠单个DRG神经元,应用全细胞膜片钳技术记录不同浓度BZC对TTX-r钠电流的影响。结果 BZC浓度依赖性静息阻断TTX-r钠电流,30、100和300μmol.L-1的BZC分别使TTX-r钠电流峰值抑制率达(18.83±8.51)%、(33.08±9.19)%、(58.91±12.02)%,并使TTX-r钠电流稳态失活曲线浓度依赖性向超极化方向移动。结论 BZC浓度依赖性阻断DRG神经元TTX-r钠离子通道并改变通道的失活,可能是其影响痛觉传导通路以及产生镇痛作用的机制之一。     

巴氯芬对大鼠背根神经节神经元NMDA激活电流的抑制作用(英文)

目的:探索巴氯芬对大鼠初级感觉神经元膜NMDA激活电流的调制作用。方法:全细胞膜片箝技术在新鲜分离的背根神经节(DRG)细胞上进行实验。结果:DRG细胞外加巴氯芬(1-100μmol·L~(-1))未记录到可检测的膜电流改变,但预加巴氯芬对NMDA激活电流则有明显的抑制作用,巴氯芬100μmol·L~(-1)对NMDA(100 μmol·L~(-1))激活电流的抑制可达52％±14％(n=11,P<0.01),此抑制作用被GABA_B受体的拮抗剂沙氯芬(100 μmol·L~(-1))所取消,结论:初级感觉神经元膜上GABA_B受体的激活对NMDA受体介导的膜电流具有抑制作用。     

Rapid inhibition of ATP-induced currents by corticosterone in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The effects of corticosterone (CORT), a natural glucocorticoid hormone, on ATP-induced currents in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the underlying signaling mechanism were studied by using patch-clamp techniques. Three types of currents (fast, slow and mixed) were evoked by ATP in cultured DRG neurons. Pretreatment with CORT (0.01-10 mumol/l) for 30 s could inhibit the fast current and the fast component of the mixed current. In contrast, CORT had no significant effect on the slow current evoked by ATP. The inhibitory effects were concentration dependent, reversible and could be blocked by glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486 (10 micromol/l), but not by GDP-beta-S (0.2 mmol/l), a blocker of G protein activation. Membrane-impermeable bovine serum albumin-conjugated corticosterone failed to mimic the effects of CORT. The inhibitory effects of CORT on ATP-induced currents diminished after adding protein kinase A inhibitor H89 (10 micromol/l), but were not influenced by protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride (10 micromol/l). These results suggest that glucocorticoid hormones might participate in the control of pain by modulating P2X(3) receptor-mediated events in sensory neurons, and the effect is mediated by glucocorticoid receptors and the downstream activation of protein kinase A.     

CGP37157 modulates mitochondrial Ca homeostasis in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The effects of 7-chloro-3,5-dihydro-5-phenyl-1H-4,1-benzothiazepine-2-on (CGP37157), an inhibitor of mitochondrial Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange, on depolarization-induced intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) transients were studied in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons with indo-1-based microfluorimetry. A characteristic plateau in the recovery phase of the [Ca²⁺]_i transient resulted from mitochondrion-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i buffering. It was blocked by metabolic poisons and was not dependent on extracellular Ca²⁺. CGP37157 produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the amplitude of the mitochondrion-mediated plateau phase (IC₅₀=4±1 μM). This decrease in [Ca²⁺]_i was followed by an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i upon removal of the drug, suggesting that Ca²⁺ trapped in the matrix was released when the CGP37157 was removed from the bath. CGP37157 also inhibited depolarization-induced Ca²⁺ influx at the concentrations required to see effects on [Ca²⁺]_i buffering. Thus, CGP37157 inhibits mitochondrial Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange and directly inhibits voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels, suggesting caution in its use to study [Ca²⁺]_i regulation in intact cells.     

神经营养因子4在成年大鼠背根节神经元的分布

目的 探讨神经营养因子4（NT－4）与成年大鼠背根节神经元的关系。方法 本文用特异的NT－4抗血清以免疫组织化学方法观察了NT－4在成年大鼠背根L6节段神经元中的颁由。结果 NT－4的免疫阳性反应物分布背根节的各型神经元,胞浆染色。结论 NT－4可能与成年大鼠背根节神经元的生理功能有关。     

Peripheral inflammation alters desensitization of substance P-evoked current in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The neuropeptide substance P is synthesized in a proportion of neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system, and the receptor for substance P, tachykinin NK? receptor, has been identified in numerous areas of the central nervous system including the spinal cord. The present investigation was to confirm the existence of tachykinin NK? receptor on rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and characterize the adaptation of inward current evoked by substance P during carrageenan-induced peripheral inflammation. Using whole-cell voltage recording technique, our results demonstrated that 1 μM substance P elicited significant inward current in a small population of small-diameter DRG neurons of control rats (7%, n=218) and in a bigger proportion of DRG neurons of carrageenan-inflamed rats (15%, n=203). Desensitization of substance P-evoked current was exhibited in almost all of substance P-responsive DRG neurons in control rats (94%, n=16), while it diminished in a bigger proportion of DRG neurons (35%, n=31) in inflamed rats. Furthermore, desensitization of substance P-evoked current was recovered by the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by application of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, a selective agonist of PKC, in the DRG neurons of the inflamed rats. All these results indicated that tachykinin NK? receptor in the primary afferents might contribute to the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain.     

咖啡因对急性分离的大鼠背根神经节细胞H-电流的影响

目的　探讨咖啡因在镇痛中的作用机制。方法　应用膜片钳技术研究了咖啡因对大鼠的 3种不同直径大小的背根神经节 (DRG)细胞H 电流特性的影响。结果　 5 .0mmol·L- 1咖啡因对DRG大细胞、中细胞和小细胞的H 电流分别降低了 (80±4 ) % ,(4 0± 3) %和 (11.0± 2 .3) %。结论　咖啡因使H 通道的电压敏感性下降 ,H 通道的激活电压升高。咖啡因对大型和中型DRG细胞H 电流的抑制作用 ,可能是发挥抗伤害性感受和用作镇痛佐剂的作用机制之一     

Methoctramine analogues inhibit responses to capsaicin and protons in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

We have investigated the possibility that vanilloid receptors have a binding site for polyamines and determined the consequences of binding to such a site. Whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp recordings were used to investigate the effect of the tetraamine, methoctramine, and 16 of its analogues on capsaicin and proton induced responses of foetal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. All but two methoctramine analogues inhibited responses to 10 microM capsaicin with IC50 values in the range of 2-70 microM at a holding potential of -100 mV. Inhibition was generally non-competitive and voltage-dependent. Methoctramine at 10 microM reduced the single channel mean open time (>3-fold), but also increased the mean closed time (1.7-fold). Sustained responses to pH 5.4 were antagonized by methoctramine with similar potency to capsaicin responses. Similar data were obtained with adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. These data indicate that methoctramine analogues bind to vanilloid receptors to inhibit their function.     

Strychnine-induced potassium current in isolated dorsal root ganglion cells of the rat.

1. Effects of strychnine (Str) on the dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of the rat have been investigated in whole-cells configuration by a conventional patch-clamp technique. 2. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced Cl- current (ICl) increased sigmoidally with increasing concentration. The half-maximal response (Ka) was 3 x 10(-5) M and the Hill coefficient was 1.5. Both Str and bicuculline inhibited the GABA-induced ICl in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. Str itself could elicit the current at concentrations over 10(-5) M, at which concentrations the GABA response was completely suppressed. The concentration-response curve for the Str-induced current was bell-shaped, and a nearly maximum response occurred at 3 x 10(-4) M. A transient 'hump' current appeared immediately after the wash-out of external solution containing high concentrations of Str over 3 x 10(-4) M. 4. The Str-induced outward current and a transient 'hump' current were augmented by the removal of extracellular K+ and were suppressed by the substitution of intracellular K+ for Cs+. But the current was not sensitive to extracellular Na+, Ca2+ and Cl-. 5. The reversal potential of Str-induced current (EStr) was -75 mV, which was close to the K+ equilibrium potential (EK = -76.3 mV). The change of EStr for a ten fold change in extracellular K+ concentration was 58 mV, indicating that the membrane behaves like a K+ electrode in the presence of Str. The reversal potential of the 'hump' current was also close to EK.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

PKC regulates capsaicin-induced currents of dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats

Capsaicin activates a non-specific cation conductance in a subset of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The inward current and membrane potential of acutely isolated DRG neurons were examined using whole-cell patch recording methods. We report here that the current and voltage responses activated by capsaicin were markedly increased by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). The mean current, after application of 0.3 microM PMA, was 153.5+/-5.7% of control (n=32) in Ca(2+)-free external solution and 181.6+/-6.8% of control (n=15) in standard external solution. Under current-clamp conditions, 0.3 microM PMA facilitated capsaicin-induced depolarization and action potential generation. Bindolylmaleimide I (BIM), a specific inhibitor of PKC activity, abolished the effect of PMA. In addition, capsaicin-evoked current was attenuated to 68.3+/-5.0% of control (n=13) by individual administration of 1 microM BIM in standard external solution, while 0.3 microM BIM did not have this effect. These data suggest that PKC can directly regulate the capsaicin response in DRG neurons, which could increase nociceptive sensory transmission and contribute to hyperalgesia.