Evidence for the presence of substance P in cat nasal receptor afferents

The afferents of the nasal receptors responsible for many upper airway protective reflexes are carried in the ethmoidal branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. Previous electrophysiological studies indicate that a significant number of ethmoidal afferents respond to noxious stimuli applied to the nose. The objective of the present study was to identify ethmoidal nerve cell bodies within the trigeminal ganglion which demonstrated the presence of the neurotransmitter substance P (SP). SP is believed to be involved in the relay of nociceptive information. A double-labelling technique was employed and involved tracing the afferents to their cell bodies using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and subsequent identification of SP-immunoreactivity within HRP-filled cells using monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry. SP-immunoreactive cell bodies constituted 43 per cent-50 per cent of the total number of labelled ethmoidal cell bodies within the trigeminal ganglion. Although ethmoidal cell bodies were much smaller than the overall population of trigeminal ganglion cells, the size of SP-immunoreactive ethmoidal cell bodies was not significantly different from that of ethmoidal cell bodies not exhibiting SP-immunoreactivity.     

Somatostatin, galanin and peptide histidine isoleucine in the newborn and adult human trigeminal ganglion and spinal nucleus: Immunohistochemistry, neuronal morphometry and colocalization with substance P

By means of indirect immunofluorescence the neuropeptides somatostatin, galanin and peptide histidine isoleucine were localized in cell bodies, nerve fibres and terminal-like elements in the ganglion and spinal nucleus of the human trigeminal nerve in perinatal and adult ages. No immunoreactivity to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was observed. In the gasserian ganglion somatostatin-, galanin- and peptide histidine isoleucine-containing neurons and nerve fibres occurred frequently in pre- and full-term newborns, but were scarce to absent in adults. Somatostatin- and galanin-positive pericellular basket-like structures around non-immunoreactive perikarya were observed in newborn specimens. Immunoreactivity to somatostatin, galanin and peptide histidine isoleucine labelled nerve fibers and punctate and felt-like nerve terminals in the pars interpolaris and subnucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, with immunostaining and distribution patterns characteristic for each peptide. In addition, somatostatin-containing neuronal cell bodies frequently were detected. At variance with those containing somatostatin, the number of galanin- and peptide histidine isoleucine-like immunoreactive elements were dramatically reduced in the adult tissue compared to the newborn one. Double immunostaining revealed that each of the three peptides partially colocalizes with substance P, the degree of coexistence being very low for somatostatin/substance P and high for galanin/substance P and peptide histidine isoleucine/substance P both in the gasserian ganglion and in the spinal nucleus. The results obtained suggest that somatostatin, galanin and peptide histidine isoleucine may play functional roles in primary sensory neurons and at the first synaptic level of the human trigeminal sensory system.     

大鼠三叉神经感觉核簇内SP受体及三叉神经节内SP样阳性终末和SP受体分布的免疫组织化学研究

本文用免疫组织化学方法对三叉神经感觉核簇内的SP受体及三叉神经节内的SP样阳性终末和SP受体的分布状态进行了研究。三叉神经感觉主核内的SP受体样阳性胞体和树突主要见于其背侧部和腹侧部。三叉神经脊束核的各亚核内均可见到SP受体样阳性的结构:吻侧亚核的SP受体样阳性胞体和树突主要见于其中央部;极间亚核的周边部仅有少量SP受体样阳性的胞体和树突;尾侧亚核内SP受体样阳性的胞体和树突最密集,且主要位于Ⅰ、Ⅱ层。三叉神经节内可见SP样阳性终末呈丛状或环状包绕在阴性胞体周围,也可见到少量散在的SP受体样阳性的胞体。SP受体样免疫反应阳性产物位于阳性胞体和树突的膜上。     

The effect of neonatal capsaicin treatment on the CGRP-immunoreaction in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis of mice

The calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) is a primary afferent neurotransmitter in the trigeminal system. Although a neonatal administration of capsaicin eliminates substance P (SP)-mediated nociceptive responses to induce a permanent functional reduction in C-fibers, little information is available regarding changes in CGRP-immunoreaction in mice undergoing neonatal capsaicin treatment (CP mice). This study examined postnatal changes in the distribution of CGRP-immunoreaction in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis and trigeminal ganglion of CP mice by immunohistochemical technique and a quantitative analysis. Immunohistochemistry for CGRP in the subnucleus caudalis (Vc) demonstrated two dense distributions of neurons in the CP mice as well as na?ve mice: in the marginal layer and the region 400-600 mum deep. The quantitative analysis revealed no significant difference in the density of CGRP immunoreaction between na?ve and CP mice 1-8 weeks of age. In the trigeminal ganglion of both groups, the size distribution of CGRPpositive neurons displayed a distribution pattern with one peak in 200-300 mum(2) at week 1 and with two peaks in 200-300 mum(2) and 600-700 mum(2) at week 8 but no significant difference in neural density existed between these regions. When double staining in the na?ve mice with CGRP or SP and VR1, a capsaicin receptor, was done, many trigeminal ganglion neurons co-expressed SP- and VR1-immunoreactions, but rarely exhibited CGRP/VR1-co-localization. Taken together with previous data, these current observations suggest that CGRP containing afferent neurons possibly performs differing roles in nociceptive afferent input transmission within the Vc from SP-containing neurons in mice.     

The somatotopic organization of the cat trigeminal ganglion as determined by the horseradish peroxidase technique

The somatotopic organization of the cat trigeminal ganglion has been investigated in the present study by using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique. In separate animals, the corneal, supraorbital, infraorbital, inferior alveolar, or mental branches of the trigeminal nerve have been transected and then soaked in concentrated solutions of HRP. Retrogradely labeled corneal and supraorbital neurons have been found, with extensive overlap between the two cell populations, in the anteromedial region of the trigeminal ganglion. Inferior alveolar and mental neurons have been found to possess similar distributions within the posterolateral part of the trigeminal ganglion. Infraorbital cells have been localized in a central position. The cell bodies of any given nerve are found in at least minimal numbers in all dorsoventral levels of the trigeminal ganglion. However, cell bodies of origin of the supraorbital nerve and the lateral branch of the infraorbital nerve, innervating more posterior or lateral areas of the head and face, are found in greater numbers dorsally. Conversely, cell bodies of origin of the medial branch of the infraorbital nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve, and the mental nerve, supplying more rostral or intraoral areas of the orofacial region, are present in greater numbers ventrally. In contrast, corneal neurons are distributed uniformly in the dorsoventral axis. The ophthalmic and maxillary regions of the trigeminal ganglion appear to be well segregated, whereas the maxillary and mandibular regions exhibit a somewhat greater degree of overlap. Cell bodies of corneal afferent neurons range from 20 to 50 μm in diameter, whereas those of supraorbital, infraorbital, inferior alveolar and mental neurons measure from 20 to 85 μm. It is concluded from the findings of the present work that much of the cat trigeminal ganglion is organized somatotopically in not only the mediolateral axis but also in the dorsoventral axis.     

Anatomical and electrophysiological analysis of the trigeminal nerve in a teleost fish, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The trigeminal nerve in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, was examined for the presence of A-delta and C fibres. Sections of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve were found to comprise a range of fibre types including A-delta and C fibres. The size range of the cell bodies of the trigeminal ganglion reflected the fibre range since they correlated with the size range of axons in the nerve branches. Electrophysiological recordings of evoked activity from the ganglion confirmed the presence of these fibre types and the proportion of these mirrored the proportion of fibre types in the anatomical analyses. A-beta fibres were most common followed by A-delta fibres, then A-alpha fibres with C fibres being the fewest fibre type found. In higher vertebrates, A-delta and C fibres in the trigeminal nerve convey both somatosensory and nociceptive information to the brain. The evolutionary significance of these results is discussed as well as the potential for nociceptive capability in a lower vertebrate.     

三叉神经初级传入纤维与孤束核的联系——HRP跨越神经节追踪研究

本文用HRP跨节追踪技术在光镜下观察了猫的眶上神经、眶下神经、耳颞神经、颊神经、舌神经和下牙槽神经的初级传入纤维向孤束核的投射状况。另外,向舌咽、迷走和鼓索神经也注入HRP进行了观察和对比。结果表明,上述三叉神经各分支中只有舌神经和下牙槽神经向孤束核投射。舌神经的标记出现于孤束核的闩以上部分,以三叉神经吻侧亚核尾段水平的部位最为浓密,标记终末多分布于腹外侧亚核、中间亚核和内侧亚核。下牙槽神经只有少量标记终末呈斑块状局限分布于闩附近的孤束核间质亚核区,小部分投射于连合核。舌咽神经投射至孤束核全长,以内侧亚核区为最多。迷走神经的大量纤维主要投射于极间亚核平面的孤束核。鼓索神经大部投射至孤束核吻极段。本文对比分析了三叉神经初级传入与Ⅶ、Ⅸ、Ⅹ神经内脏传入在孤束核分布的相互关系,结合文献讨论了投射到孤束核的三叉初级传入神经的性质。     

Ascending connections from the caudal part to the oral part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the rat.

The brainstem trigeminal somatosensory complex, while sharing many common aspects with the spinal somatosensory system, displays features specific to orofacial information processing. One of those is the redundant representation of peripheral structures within the various subnuclei of the complex. A functional redundancy also exists since a single sensory modality, e.g. nociception, may be processed within different subnuclei. In the present study, we addressed the question whether anatomical connections from the caudal part to the oral part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus may support topographical and functional redundancy within the rat trigeminal somatosensory complex. The retrograde tracer tetramethylrhodamine-dextran was injected iontophoretically into the oral subnucleus of anaesthetised rats. Cell bodies labelled retrogradely from the oral subnucleus were observed in laminae III-IV and V of the ipsilateral caudal subnucleus consistently, and to a lesser degree in lamina I. Such a distribution of retrogradely labelled cells suggested that specific subsets of neurones may relay nociceptive information, and others non-nociceptive information. Furthermore, intratrigeminal connections conserved the somatotopic distribution of primary afferents in the two subnuclei. First, injections of tracer in the dorsomedial and ventrolateral parts of the oral subnucleus resulted in retrograde labelling of the dorsal and ventral parts of the caudal subnucleus respectively. Second, animals that received tracer into the ventrolateral oral subnucleus displayed more caudal labelling than animals that were injected into the dorsomedial oral subnucleus.These findings show the existence of anatomical connections from the caudal part to the oral part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the rat. The connections conserve the somatotopic distribution of primary afferents in the two subnuclei. They provide an anatomical substrate for the indirect activation of trigeminal oral subnucleus neurones by somatosensory stimuli through the caudal subnucleus.     

Physiological and pathophysiological implications of upper airway reflexes in humans

The upper airway is a vital part of the respiratory tract. Although the upper airway serves several functions, protection of the airway and preservation of airway patency are the most essential functions subserved by upper airway reflexes. Various types of nerve endings have been identified in and under the epithelium of the upper airway, and afferent nerve endings are the natural starting of all reflex activity. The upper airway reflexes consist of many different types of reflex responses such as sneezing, apnea, swallowing, laryngeal closure, coughing, expiration reflex, and negative pressure reflex. Although the activation of upper airway reflexes does not necessarily occur at one particular site of the respiratory tract, individual reflex response is usually considered to be highly specific for the particular respiratory site which has been affected. The upper airway reflexes are modified by many factors such as sleep, anesthesia, and background chemical ventilatory drive. Both depression and exaggeration of upper airway reflexes cause clinical problems. Depression of upper airway reflexes enhances the chance of pulmonary aspiration and compromises the maintenance of the airway, whereas exaggeration of airway reflexes such as laryngospasm and prolonged paroxysm of cough can be harmful and dangerous. In this review, various aspects of upper airway reflexes are discussed focusing on the functions of upper airway reflexes in humans and some pathophysiological problems related to clinical medicine.     

Neuronal pathways to the rat thyroid revealed by retrograde tracing and immunocytochemistry

The distribution and origin of the nerve fibres innervating the rat thyroid were studied by immunocytochemistry, retrograde tracing and denervation experiments. Immunocytochemistry revealed nerve fibres containing noradrenaline, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, peptide histidine-isoleucine, galanin, substance P, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide around blood vessels and follicles. Many of these transmitter candidates were found to co-exist with each other in different combinations in different subpopulations of neurons. Sympathectomy eliminated all noradrenaline- and noradrenaline/neuropeptide Y-containing fibres in the thyroid. Cervical vagotomy eliminated about 50% of the galanin-, substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing fibres. Local denervation (removal of the thyroid ganglion and the thyroid nerve) eliminated all galanin- and substance P-immunoreactive fibres and the majority of noradrenaline-, noradrenaline/neuropeptide Y-, vasoactive intestinal peptide- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing fibres in the thyroid gland. Injection of True Blue into the thyroid gland labelled cell bodies in the thyroid ganglion, the laryngeal ganglion, the superior cervical ganglion, the jugular-nodose ganglionic complex, the dorsal root ganglia (C2-C5) and the trigeminal ganglion. Judging from the number of labelled nerve cell bodies, the superior cervical ganglion and the thyroid ganglion contribute most to the thyroid innervation, while the laryngeal ganglion and the trigeminal ganglion contribute least. The True Blue-labelled ganglia were examined for the presence of various populations of nerve cell bodies (only major populations are listed). The thyroid ganglion harboured neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide and galanin/vasoactive intestinal peptide cell bodies (in order of predominance); the laryngeal ganglion galanin/vasoactive intestinal peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide cell bodies; the superior cervical ganglion noradrenaline/neuropeptide Y and noradrenaline cell bodies; the jugular ganglion calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P/calcitonin gene-related peptide and galanin/substance P/calcitonin gene-related peptide cell bodies; the nodose ganglion vasoactive intestinal peptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide/galanin cell bodies; the dorsal root ganglia (C2-C5) and the trigeminal ganglion calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P/calcitonin gene-related peptide and galanin/substance P/calcitonin gene-related peptide cell bodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Compartmentalisation of the developing trigeminal ganglion into maxillary and mandibular divisions does not depend on target contact

During development axons contact their target tissues with phenomenal accuracy but the mechanisms that control this homing behaviour remain largely elusive. A prerequisite to the study of the factors involved in hard-wiring the nervous system during neurogenesis is an accurate calendar of developmental events. We have studied the maxillary and mandibular components of the trigeminal system to determine the stages during embryogenesis when a gross somatotopic order is first established within the trigeminal ganglion and the axons projecting to the brainstem. The retrograde transganglionic fluorescent tracers DiO and DiI were injected into the maxillary and mandibular arches or their derivatives in fixed mouse embryos staged between 13 and 40 somites (E9–E11). After 1–4 wk, the distribution of the 2 tracers was determined using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The first maxillary nerve cell bodies and their developing axons were labelled at the 30 somite stage (E10). This was 2 somite stages earlier than the mesencephalic nucleus and the ganglion cell bodies of the mandibular nerve. The gross somatotopic division of cells within the trigeminal ganglion projecting to the maxillary and mandibular targets was established by the 32 somite stage (E10). This arrangement was evident as 2 groups of cell bodies occupying adjacent but separate regions of the trigeminal ganglion. The central branches of the maxillary and mandibular cell bodies entered the metencephalon as 2 distinct bundles at the same stage. The trigeminal motor nucleus was first detected at the 38 somite stage (E10.5).
Gross somatotopy in the major divisions of the trigeminal ganglion is established before outgrowing axons have contacted their peripheral target tissue at E10.5. This suggests that target tissues do not induce somatotopy.     

Differential effects of peripheral damage on vibrissa-related patterns in trigeminal nucleus principalis, subnucleus interpolaris, and subnucleus caudalis.

Histochemistry for cytochrome oxidase reveals a vibrissa-related pattern in trigeminal nucleus principalis, subnucleus interpolaris, and the magnocellular portion of subnucleus caudalis. This pattern is apparent in late fetal animals and is disrupted by transection of the infraorbital nerve on the day of birth. We recently reported results suggesting that the cytochrome oxidase pattern reflects primary afferent-induced clustering of second order neurons in all of these nuclei. If this conclusion is correct, it should follow that primary afferent lesions made after the cytochrome oxidase pattern became established in the brainstem might have little effect upon it. Accordingly, we transected the infraorbital nerve (the trigeminal branch that supplies the vibrissae) on postnatal days 0-10 and evaluated the vibrissa-related pattern in the brainstem with cytochrome oxidase histochemistry at varying intervals after these lesions. If the infraorbital nerve was sectioned on postnatal days 0-2, the vibrissa-related pattern was absent in trigeminal nucleus principalis, and both subnucleus interpolaris and caudalis. If such lesions were made after postnatal day 9, there was no appreciable effect upon the cytochrome oxidase pattern in any portion of the trigeminal brainstem complex. However, if lesions were made between postnatal days 3 and 8, the density and clarity of the cytochrome oxidase staining pattern were reduced in interpolaris and caudalis, but not in principalis. This difference was not due to differential transganglionic degeneration in these nuclei. Tracing with horseradish peroxidase demonstrated qualitatively equivalent primary afferent losses in principalis, interpolaris, and caudalis. Immunocytochemistry with a monoclonal antibody directed against parvalbumin also demonstrated a vibrissa-related pattern of cell bodies in principalis and interpolaris in rats killed on postnatal day 9 or later ages. The combination of retrograde tracing and immunocytochemistry revealed that the parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in principalis projected to thalamus while those in interpolaris were not labelled by tracer injections into the thalamus, midbrain, cerebellum or spinal cord. Infraorbital nerve transections made as late as postnatal day 8 resulted in a sharp decrease in the staining of parvalbumin-positive neurons in interpolaris, but not in principalis. Lesions made on postnatal day 10 had no qualitative effect upon parvalbumin-positive neurons in any portion of the trigeminal brainstem complex. The results of this study support the conclusion that the vibrissa-related cytochrome oxidase pattern in principalis becomes independent of primary afferent input at a very short interval after its initial appearance. In contrast, the patterns in more caudal portions of the trigeminal brainstem complex require maintenance of primary afferent input for a much longer postnatal period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Substance P-immunoreactivity in the dorsal medial region of the medulla in the cat: effects of nodosectomy

The distribution of substance P in the vagal system of the cat was studied by immunohistochemistry. Substance P-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibres were observed in the nodose ganglion. Numerous substance P-immunoreactive terminals and fibres were localized in their bulbar projection area, i.e. throughout the caudo-rostral extent of the nucleus of the solitary tract. Four subnuclei, among the nine forming the nucleus of the solitary tract, were strongly labelled: interstitial, gelatinosus, dorsal and commissural. The dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve also exhibited numerous substance P-immunoreactive terminals, sometimes closely apposed on the somata of preganglionic neurons. To determine the substance P component of the vagal afferent system a nodose ganglion was removed on one side. The ablation triggered ipsilaterally a large decrease of substance P immunoreactivity in the four subnuclei strongly labelled on normal cats. These results suggest the involvement of substance P-containing vagal fibres in integrative processes of the central regulation of cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems, viscerotopically organized throughout these four subnuclei. The nodose ablation also resulted in a decrease of substance P immunoreactivity in the ipsilateral dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, suggesting monosynaptic vago-vagal interactions.     

The origins of the afferent fibers to the lingual muscles of the dog, a retrograde labelling study with horseradish peroxidase

The origin of the afferent fibers to the lingual muscles of the dog was investigated by means of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from injection sites in the tongue and the extrinsic lingual muscles. Intralingual injections were not satisfactory because the enzyme diffused beyond the intrinsic lingual muscles to include virtually all tissues within the tongue. Thus, the resultant retrograde labeling of cell bodies of the trigeminal, geniculate, glossopharyngeal, vagal, and first cervical (C1) spinal ganglia represented a composite of lingual sensory innervation. In order to confine HRP uptake to intramuscular nerve endings, injections were limited to surgically isolated extrinsic lingual muscles, i.e., the genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus. After these intramuscular injections, labeled neurons appeared ipsilaterally in the C1 spinal ganglion, the proximal vagal (jugular) ganglion, and trigeminal ganglion. Earlier suggestions that the lingual proprioceptive neurons of the dog reside in the distal vagal (nodose) ganglion and hypoglossal ganglia were not confirmed. The mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve failed to label after enzyme injections into the tongue or the extrinsic lingual muscles. The retrograde labeling of cell bodies in the C1 spinal ganglion was abolished when HRP injections into the extrinsic lingual muscles were preceded by surgical interruption of the ansa cervicalis or distal section of the hypoglossal nerve. Retrograde labeling of neurons in the proximal vagal ganglion persisted after hypoglossal nerve transections.     

The spino-latero-reticular system of the rat: projections from the superficial dorsal horn and structural characterization of marginal neurons involved.

The projections of the superficial dorsal horn to the lateral reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata of the rat, and the morphological types of spinal cord lamina I neurons involved were studied after injecting the retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B in the caudal portion of the lateral reticular nucleus. Only injection sites located in the lateral part of the lateral reticular nucleus caused retrograde cell labelling in the superficial dorsal horn (laminae I-III). However, injection sites covering the lateral half of the lateral reticular nucleus and the region intermediate between its lateral border and the ventrocaudal tip of the trigeminal spinal nucleus also labelled cells in the neck of the dorsal horn. In contrast, injection sites confined to the intermediate region gave rise to an almost exclusive cell labelling in laminae I-III. Because the lateral part of the lateral reticular nucleus and the adjoining lateral region are rich in noradrenergic cells, it is suggested that these may be the specific targets of laminae I-III neurons. On the basis of the solid dendritic filling achieved, labelled lamina I cells were classified structurally. Most were fusiform cells (80%) and a minority pyramidal or flattened cells (10% each). Since fusiform cells also project selectively to the parabrachial nuclei, which together with the lateral reticular nucleus have been implicated in respiratory and cardiovascular reflexes, it is suggested that this cell type may convey nociceptive input originating autonomic responses. The pyramidal cells project also in large numbers to the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray which, like the lateral reticular nucleus, exerts descending inhibition on the dorsal horn nociceptive neurons. This suggests that this cell type may activate the spinal-midbrain pain modulatory loops centred on both nuclei.     

The expression of bradykinin B(1) receptors on primary sensory neurones that give rise to small caliber sciatic nerve fibres in rats.

The bradykinin B(1) receptor has been considered as an important mediator for inflammatory pain. In the present study, we have investigated the fibre types of sciatic nerve primary sensory neurones that express B(1) receptors by retrograde tracing in combination with immunohistochemical staining, or double-immunohistochemical staining. Approximately 12% of the A-fibre dorsal root ganglion neurones, retrogradely labelled from an intra-sciatic nerve injection of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated cholera toxin B subunit, were B(1) receptor-immunoreactive. Over 70% of the small diameter dorsal root ganglion neurones, retrogradely labelled from an intra-sciatic nerve injection of tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin, were B(1) receptor-immunoreactive. Over 50% of the (predominantly non-peptidergic) C-fibre dorsal root ganglion neurones, retrogradely labelled from an intra-sciatic nerve injection of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin B4, were B(1) receptor-immunoreactive. When calcitonin gene-related peptide, which is contained mainly in small caliber C- and A(delta)-fibre primary afferents, and B(1) receptors were stained with a double-immunofluorescent method, over 80% of the calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive dorsal root ganglion neurones were B(1) receptor-immunoreactive.From these results we suggest that B(1) receptors are predominantly expressed by small diameter primary afferent neurones that give rise to sciatic nerve fibres, which include both peptidergic and non-peptidergic C-fibres and A(delta)-fibres. Since peripheral nociceptive information is primarily transmitted by C- and A(delta)-fibres, B(1) receptors may be involved in the modulation of nociceptive transduction or transmission.     

Excitatory amino acid binding sites in the trigeminal principal sensory and spinal trigeminal nuclei of the rat.

Quantitative autoradiography was used to examine the density and distribution of excitatory amino acid (EAA) binding site subtypes in the principal sensory and spinal trigeminal nuclei of the rat trigeminal complex. The highest densities of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA), kainate and metabotropic receptors were found in the superficial laminae (I and II) of subnucleus caudalis, a region known to be densely innervated by primary afferent nociceptive terminals. Lower densities of EAA binding sites were observed in spinal subnuclei interpolaris and oralis and within the principal sensory nucleus. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that EAAs are involved in primary afferent nociceptive neurotransmission.     

Origin and peptide content of nerve fibers in the nasal mucosa of rats

Injection of the retrograde neuronal tracer True blue into the anterior-lateral part of the nasal mucosa of rats labeled nerve cell bodies in the superior cervical ganglion, the sphenopalatine ganglion, the otic ganglion and the trigeminal ganglion on the ipsilateral side. In the superior cervical ganglion, the sphenopalatine ganglion and the trigeminal ganglion on the contralateral side, very few nerve cell bodies were labeled, indicating that these ganglia provide minor contributions only. The number of labeled cell bodies indicates that the superior cervical ganglion, the sphenopalatine ganglion and the trigeminal ganglion contribute most to the innervation of the nose, while the contribution from the otic ganglion is minor. Cell bodies in the superior cervical ganglion harbored noradrenaline (NA) or NA/neuropeptide Y (NPY); in the sphenopalatine ganglion vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or VIP/NPY; in the otic ganglion VIP, VIP/NPY or VIP/substance P (SP) and in the trigeminal ganglion calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or CGRP/SP. The results from denervations and tracer experiments suggest that all NA-containing and the majority of NPY-containing fibers in the nasal mucosa are derived from the superior cervical ganglion (sympathetic nerve supply). VIP- and VIP/NPY-containing fibers originate from the sphenopalatine and otic ganglia (parasympathetic nerve supply). Nerve fibers containing CGRP and CGRP/SP emanate from the trigeminal ganglion (sensory nerve supply).     

The origins of the afferent fibers to the lingual muscles of the dog,a retrograde labeling study with horseradish peroxidase

The origin of the afferent fibers to the lingual muscles of the dog was investigated by means of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from injection sites in the tongue and the extrinsic lingual muscles. Intralingual injections were not satisfactory because the enzyme diffused beyond the intrinsic lingual muscles to include virtually all tissues within the tongue. Thus, the resultant retrograde labeling of cell bodies of the trigeminal, geniculate, glossopharyngeal, vagal, and first cervical (C₁) spinal ganglia represented a composite of lingual sensory innervation. In order to confine HRP uptake to intramuscular nerve endings, injections were limited to surgically isolated extrinsic lingual muscles, i.e., the genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus. After these intramuscular injections, labeled neurons appeared ipsilaterally in the C₁ spinal ganglion, the proximal vagal (jugular) ganglion, and trigeminal ganglion. Earlier suggestions that the lingual proprioceptive neurons of the dog reside in the distal vagal (nodose) ganglion and hypoglossal ganglia were not confirmed. The mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve failed to label after enzyme injections into the tongue or the extrinsic lingual muscles. The retrograde labeling of cell bodies in the C₁ spinal ganglion was abolished when HRP injections into the extrinsic lingual muscles were preceded by surgical interruption of the ansa cervicalis or distal section of the hypoglossal nerve. Retrograde labeling of neurons in the proximal vagal ganglion persisted after hypoglossal nerve transections.