Effects of DA-9701, a Novel Prokinetic Agent,on Phosphorylated Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Expression in the Dorsal Root Ganglion and Spinal Cord Induced by Colorectal Distension in Rats |
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Authors: | Sang Pyo Lee Kang Nyeong Lee Oh Young Lee Hang Lak Lee Dae Won Jun Byung Chul Yoon Ho Soon Choi Se Jin Hwang Seo Eun Lee |
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Institution: | *Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease Centre, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.;†Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.;‡Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.;§Department of Physiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. |
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Abstract: | Background/AimsDA-9701, a standardized extract of Pharbitis Semen and Corydalis Tuber, is a new prokinetic agent that exhibits an analgesic effect on the abdomen. We investigated whether DA-9701 affects visceral pain induced by colorectal distension (CRD) in rats.MethodsA total of 21 rats were divided into three groups: group A (no CRD+no drug), group B (CRD+no drug), and group C (CRD+DA-9701). Expression of pain-related factors, substance P (SP), c-fos, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord was determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.ResultsThe proportions of neurons in the DRG and spinal cord expressing SP, c-fos, and p-ERK were higher in group B than in group A. In the group C, the proportion of neurons in the DRG and spinal cord expressing p-ERK was lower than that in group B. Western blot results for p-ERK in the spinal cord indicated a higher level of expression in group B than in group A and a lower level of expression in group C than in group B.ConclusionsDA-9701 may decrease visceral pain via the downregulation of p-ERK in the DRG and spinal cord. |
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Keywords: | DA-9701 Gastrointestinal diseases Visceral hypersensitivity Colorectal distension Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase |
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