Biomedical subjects

T J Coderre

Publications and source records attributed to T J Coderre.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Comparison of nociceptive effects produced by intrathecal administration of mGluR agonists.

The present study examined the mGluR subtypes involved in (1S, 3R)-ACPD-induced spontaneous nociceptive behaviours (SNB) by administering the following selective agonists by the intrathecal (i.t.) route: (RS)-DHPG, trans-ADA (Group I; mGluR1/5 and mGluR5, respectively), (1S, 3S)-ACPD, (2R, 4R)-APDC (Group II), and L-AP4 (Group III). (RS)-DHPG administration induced SNB that were of significantly greater intensity and longer duration than those induced by an equal dose of (1S, 3R)-ACPD. No other agonists produced SNB, except (1S, 3S)-ACPD, which may be attributable to a nonselective action at mGluR1. Intrathecal treatment with the mGluR antagonist (+)-MCPG or the NMDA antagonist D-AP5 prior to (RS)-DHPG administration dose-dependently reduced SNB. It is suggested that a possible interaction between NMDA and mGluR1 is a critical event in the maintenance of persistent nociception.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Chronic inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release or protein kinase C activation significantly reduces the development of morphine dependence.

We have previously shown that chronic antagonism of metabotropic glutamate receptors in the brain attenuates naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms in rats treated chronically with subcutaneous (s.c.) morphine. Several subtypes of metabotropic glutamate receptors are directly linked, through a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, to the phosphatidylinositol (p.i.) second messenger system. In the present investigation, we assessed the effect of inhibiting the products of p.i. hydrolysis on the development of opioid dependence. Thus, concurrently with subcutaneous morphine, we infused intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in rats, various doses of chelerythrine, which selectively inhibits the activation of protein kinase C, and thapsigargin, which inhibits the release of intracellular Ca2+ when given chronically. Both chelerythrine and thapsigargin reduced the severity of naloxone-precipitated abstinence symptoms when infused i.c.v. at a dose of 10 nmol/day. A single injection of either chelerythrine or thapsigargin immediately prior to the precipitation of withdrawal failed to decrease the severity of abstinence symptoms. Our results suggest that by chronically inhibiting activity of the phosphatidylinositol system, the development of morphine dependence can be attenuated.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1996

Sympathetic-dependence in bradykinin-induced synovial plasma extravasation is dose-related.

While previous studies have implicated a role for sympathetic postganglionic neuron-terminals in bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation, a recent report by Cambridge and Brain [Br. J. Pharmacol., 115 (1995) 641-647] has suggested that it is sympathetic-independent. However, the doses of bradykinin used in these two groups of studies were considerably different. Therefore, in the present study, we characterized the sympathetic-dependence of plasma extravasation at varying doses of bradykinin. By measuring the concentration of Evans blue dye extravasation into the joint perfusate following its intravenous injection, bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation in the knee joint cavity was determined spectrophotometrically. To examine the role of sympathetic postganglionic neuron terminals in mediating bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation, we used surgical ablation of the lumbar sympathetic chain. Intra-articular perfusion of BK dose-dependently increased synovial plasma extravasation. After surgical sympathectomy, the dose-response curve for bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation was significantly shifted to the right. We conclude that at concentrations observed in inflamed tissues (between 10(-8) and 10(-7) M), bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation is largely mediated by sympathetic postganglionic neuron terminals.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The contribution of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) to formalin-induced nociception.

The present study examined the role of mGluRs in nociceptive responses of male Long-Evans rats following a subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 1% (30 microliters) or 2.5% (50 microliters) formalin to the plantar surface of the hindpaw. Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of the mGluR4/mGluR6-mGluR8 agonist, L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4), the mGluR1/mGluR5 antagonists. (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine ((S)-4CPG) or (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine ((S)-4C3HPG), but not the non-selective antagonist, (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine ((+)-MCPG), to the lumbar spinal cord slightly reduced second phase nociceptive responses. An i.t. injection of the mGluR1/mGluR5 agonist, (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine ((RS)-DHPG) or the mGluR2/mGluR3 agonist, (1S,3S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ((1S,3S)-ACPD), but not (2S,1'R,2'R,3'R)-2-(2'3-dicarboxy-cyclopropyl)-glycine (DCG-IV), dose-dependently enhanced formalin-induced nociception in the second phase. In addition, the facilitation of nociceptive responses induced by (1S,3S)-ACPD or (RS)-DHPG was reduced by prior i.t. administration of the mGluR antagonists, (+)-MCPG or (S)-4C3HPG, respectively, as well as by the N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP5). These results indicate that although mGluRs may play a minor role in formalin-induced nociception, mGluR agonist-related facilitation of formalin scores may reflect an interaction with the NMDA receptor.

Aminobutyrates↗

PubMed1996

Preemptive analgesic effects of steroid anesthesia with alphaxalone in the rat formalin test. Evidence for differential GABA(A) Receptor modulation in persistent nociception.

BACKGROUND: The role of preemptive treatment with volatile and intravenous anesthetics has been examined in previous studies using the rat formalin test. Evidence describing analgesic properties of the gamma-amino butyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) steroid anesthetics, such as alphaxalone, suggest that they may suppress the development of central sensitization to pain. This study examined the preemptive effects of phaxalone in comparison with other GABAergic anesthetics, propofol and pentobarbital. METHODS: The pain behavior of rats was evaluated (using the previously validated weighted scores method of behavioral rating) 15-60 min after subcutaneous hind paw injection of 50 microg 1.5% formalin. In each trial, anesthetics and their respective vehicles were administered by tail-vein injection either 0.5-10 min before or 5 min after, formalin injection. When analgesic effects were observed with any of these agents, further studies were conducted with a GABA(A) receptor antagonist in an attempt to confirm a specific receptor-mediated action of the agent. RESULTS: Alphaxalone pretreatment produced transient analgesia in the early part of phase 2, which was not observed in rats posttreated with alphaxalone. The analgesic effect of alphaxalone was antagonized by picrotoxin, as well. Neither pentobarbital nor propofol showed any analgesic effects at the doses used in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas alphaxalone was shown to produce preemptive analgesia through its action at the GABA(A) receptor, pentobarbital and propofol, which also are known to act at this site, showed no analgesic effects. The diversity of receptor subtypes and functional complexity of GABA(A) receptors is such that steroid anesthetics may have effects that are different from other GABAergic agents. Further research into the role of progesterone metabolites and steroid anesthetics in the prevention of central sensitization may have clinical implications for the treatment of acute or chronic pain.

Analgesics↗

PubMed1996

Effects of preemptive or postinjury intrathecal local anesthesia on persistent nociceptive responses in rats. Confounding influences of peripheral inflammation and the general anesthetic regimen.

BACKGROUND: Although experimental evidence indicates that preemptive intrathecal treatment with local anesthetics reduces postinjury neuronal hyperexcitability, clinical evidence indicates that preemptive treatments do not consistently reduce postoperative pain. The current study used experimental models of postinjury nociception, in which rats received subcutaneous or intraarticular injections of the irritant formalin, to evaluate the effects of peripheral inflammation, or the use of agents supplemental to anesthesia, as possible confounding influences on the effectiveness of preinjury and postinjury intrathecal local anesthetic treatments. METHODS: In experiment 1, lumbar intrathecal lidocaine (30 microliters, 2%), given either 5 min before or 5 min after hind paw injection of 50 microliters of varying concentrations of formalin, was compared with intrathecal cerebrospinal fluid, for their effects on nociceptive responses in the late phase of the formalin test. Furthermore, the effect of hind paw injection of 50 microliters of 2.5, 3.75, or 5.0% formalin on peripheral inflammation was assessed by measuring plasma extravasation in the hind paws of rats given Evans Blue dye (50 mg/kg, intravenous). In experiment 2, rats received a deep tissue injury (100 microliters of 5.0% formalin into the knee joint) while under halothane anesthesia. In addition to halothane (3-4%), rats received either saline, pentobarbital (13 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), or pentobarbital + morphine (0.5 mg/kg, intravenous), with or without preinjury or postinjury spinal anesthesia using intrathecal bupivacaine (30 microliters, 0.75%), to assess the effects of supplemental treatments on the preemptive effects of intrathecal bupivacaine. RESULTS: Lumbar intrathecal lidocaine pretreatment, but not posttreatment, significantly reduced late phase nociceptive responses to hind paw injections of 2.5% formalin. The preemptive effects of lidocaine were overridden in rats that received hind paw injections of 3.75 and 5.0% formalin. Hind paw injection of 50 microliters of 3.75 or 5.0%, but not 2.5% formalin produced an increase in plasma extravasation. Either pentobarbital or pentobarbital + morphine treatment, or a pentobarbital + morphine treatment and postinjury treatment with intrathecal bupivacaine failed to produce a significant reduction in the nociceptive response to the deep tissue injury. However, rats that received pentobarbital + morphine treatments and intrathecal bupivacaine before the injury had significantly reduced nociceptive responses to deep tissue injury when compared to the saline control group, but not to the group that received pentobarbital + morphine treatment and postinjury treatment with bupivacaine. CONCLUSIONS: The current results attest to the important effects of ongoing inputs from inflamed tissue, and the use of supplemental treatments, as important confounding factors that may influence the effectiveness of preemptive spinal anesthesia for postoperative pain.

Analgesia↗

PubMed1995

Attenuation of morphine tolerance and dependence with the highly selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist TIPP[psi].

We examined the effects of i.c.v. treatment with naltrindole, and the two highly selective peptide delta-opioid receptor antagonists H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH (TIPP) and H-Tyr-Tic psi [CH2-NH]-Phe-Phe- OH (TIPP[psi]), on the development of morphine tolerance and dependence. Each treatment significantly decreased naloxone-precipitated withdrawal, with TIPP[psi] reducing the most symptoms. TIPP[psi], but neither naltrindole nor TIPP, attenuated the development of analgesic tolerance in the tail-flick test. These results suggest that delta-opioid receptors are critically involved in the development of morphine tolerance and dependence.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Mechanisms underlying antinociception provoked by heterosegmental noxious stimulation in the rat tail-flick test.

Physiological studies were conducted to examine the effects of noxious stimulation of one hindpaw or one forepaw on the latency of the withdrawal reflex in the tail-flick test in lightly anesthetized spinally intact or transected rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of Na-pentobarbital (20 mg/kg) and chloral hydrate (120 mg/kg). After baseline readings were taken in the tail-flick test, the effects of various noxious stimuli applied to remote body regions were assessed. The noxious stimuli included unilateral or bilateral hindpaw or unilateral forepaw thermal (immersion in water at 55 degrees C for 90 s), unilateral or bilateral chemical (subcutaneous hindpaw injection of 50 microliters of 5% formalin) and unilateral or bilateral mechanical (pinch with clamp exerting a force of 14.75 or 27 N) stimulation. Bilateral chemical and thermal, and unilateral thermal stimulation induced an antinociceptive response, consisting of an increase in tail-flick latency, peaking at 30 s after stimulation. Recovery to baseline levels occurred over the next 3-6 min. The antinociceptive effect of noxious thermal stimulation was attenuated or absent in chronically spinalized animals (T6/7) following hindpaw or forepaw immersion, respectively. Noxious mechanical stimulation had no effect on tail-flick latency. The data provide evidence that a noxious thermal or chemical stimulus produces a heterosegmental antinociceptive effect which is mediated in part via a supraspinal mechanism and in part via a local spinal mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Noxious thermal and chemical stimulation induce increases in 3H-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding in spinal cord dorsal horn as well as persistent pain and hyperalgesia, which is reduced by inhibition of protein kinase C.

We have previously suggested that protein kinase C (PKC) contributes to persistent pain in the formalin test. This study compared the effects of pharmacological inhibition of PKC with either GF 109203X or chelerythrine on persistent pain following noxious chemical stimulation with its effects on mechanical hyperalgesia, which develops in the hindpaw contralateral to an injury produced by noxious thermal stimulation. Furthermore, we have assessed changes in membrane-associated PKC in spinal cord in response to both noxious chemical and thermal stimulation. Nociceptive responses, to a hindpaw injection of 50 microliters of 2.5% formalin, and flexion reflex thresholds, to mechanical stimulation (Randall-Selitto test) in the hindpaw contralateral to a thermal injury (15 sec immersion in water at 55 degrees C), were assessed following intrathecal injection of PKC inhibitors (GF 109203X or chelerythrine). Changes in the levels of membrane-associated PKC, as assayed by quantitative autoradiography of the specific binding of 3H-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (3H-PDBu) in spinal cord sections, were assessed in rats after noxious chemical (50 microliters of 5.0% formalin) and noxious thermal (90 sec immersion in water at 55 degrees C) stimulation. Inhibitors of PKC (GF 109203X, chelerythrine), produced significant reductions of nociceptive responses to 2.5% formalin, as well as a significant reduction in the mechanical hyperalgesia in the hindpaw contralateral to a thermal injury. In addition, both noxious chemical and thermal stimulation produced significant increases in specific 3H-PDBu binding in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord, likely reflecting alterations in membrane-associated PKC. The results provide both pharmacological and anatomical evidence that persistent pain produced by chemical stimulation with formalin and mechanical hyperalgesia in the hindpaw contralateral to a thermal injury are influenced by the translocation and activation of PKC in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1995

mu-, delta- and kappa-opiate receptors mediate antinociception in the rat tail flick test following noxious thermal stimulation of one hindpaw.

Experiments were performed to investigate the possible involvement of spinal mu-, delta- and kappa-opiate receptors in mediating the antinociceptive effects of noxious thermal stimulation of one hindpaw on the tail flick reflex in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with chronic intrathecal catheters to the lumbar level of the spinal cord. After 5 to 7 days, they were lightly anesthetized with an i.p. injection of a mixture of Na-pentobarbital (20 mg/kg) and chloral hydrate (120 mg/kg). After baseline readings were taken in the tail flick test a conditioning noxious thermal stimulus, which consisted of immersion of one hindpaw in water at 55 degrees C for 90 sec, was applied and the effects on the latency of the tail withdrawal reflex were studied over the next 30 min. In animals pretreated with CSF intrathecally 10 min before the stimulus, an increase in tail flick reaction time was observed peaking at 30 sec after the stimulus. This response was attenuated in a dose-related manner by preadministration of the specific mu-opiate receptor antagonist, beta-funaltrexamine, the specific delta-opiate receptor antagonist, H-Tyr-Tic psi[CH2NH]-Phé-Phe-OH or the specific kappa-opiate receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine. The data show that the antinociceptive effect on the tail withdrawal reflex from a brief noxious thermal stimulus is provoked heterosegmentally by the noxious conditioning stimulus to the hindpaw and is mediated by the endogenous release of ligands that bind to mu-, delta- and kappa-opiate receptors in the spinal cord.

Analgesics↗

PubMed1994

Intracellular messengers contributing to persistent nociception and hyperalgesia induced by L-glutamate and substance P in the rat formalin pain model.

The contribution of the intracellular messengers nitric oxide, arachidonic acid and protein kinase C to persistent nociception in response to tissue injury in rats was examined following the subcutaneous injection of formalin into the hindpaw. Formalin injury-induced nociceptive behaviours were reduced by intrathecal pretreatment with inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME), arachidonic acid (dexamethasone) or protein kinase C [protein kinase C (19-26) and 1-95-(isoquinolinesulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride, H-7]. Each of these agents affected the tonic, but not the acute, phase of the formalin response. Furthermore, none of these agents affected mechanical or thermal flexion reflex thresholds in rats not injected with formalin. Conversely, formalin-induced nociceptive responses were enhanced by stimulators of nitric oxide (sodium nitroprusside), arachidonic acid metabolism (arachidonic acid) or protein kinase C [(+/-)-1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol], and were slightly reduced by inositol trisphosphate. Mechanical flexion reflexes were also reduced by arachidonic acid, while thermal flexion reflexes were reduced after treatment with sodium nitroprusside, arachidonic acid or [(+/-)-1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol]. The enhancement of formalin nociceptive behaviours (hyperalgesia) in rats treated with L-glutamate or substance P was reversed by pretreatment with inhibitors of nitric oxide (L-NAME), arachidonic acid (dexamethasone) or protein kinase C (H-7). The results suggest that central sensitization and persistent nociception following formalin-induced tissue injury, and the hyperalgesia in the formalin test induced by L-glutamate and substance P, are dependent on the intracellular messengers nitric oxide, arachidonic acid and protein kinase C.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed1994

Specific contribution of lumbar spinal mechanisms to persistent nociceptive responses in the formalin test.

To determine whether a lumbar spinal mechanism mediates the late phase of the nociceptive response in the formalin test, we compared the effects of intrathecal (i.t.) lidocaine given pre- or post-formalin at the lumbar or thoracic level. Pre- but not post-formalin administration of lidocaine to the lumbar level significantly attenuated late phase nociceptive responses. In contrast, neither pre- nor post-formalin administration of lidocaine to the mid-thoracic level altered nociceptive responses. In rats chronically spinalized at the mid-thoracic level, nociceptive responses to formalin were observed which were blocked by i.t. pre-treatment with lidocaine at the lumbar level. These results suggest that a specific lumbar spinal mechanism is involved in the initiation of persistent nociception in the formalin test.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗

PubMed1994

Effect of activity at metabotropic, as well as ionotropic (NMDA), glutamate receptors on morphine dependence.

1. The contribution of various excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors (NMDA, AMPA/kainate and metabotropic) in the brain to the development of morphine dependence was examined. This was performed by measuring the severity of the precipitated withdrawal syndrome following chronic subcutaneous (s.c.) morphine and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) EAA antagonist treatment. 2. Continuous subcutaneous (s.c.) treatment with morphine sulphate (36.65 mumol day-1) produced an intense and reliable naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome. 3. Chronic i.c.v. treatment with antagonists selective for metabotropic and NMDA receptors, but not AMPA/kainate receptors, significantly attenuated abstinence symptoms. Conversely, EAA antagonists had very little effect on non-withdrawal behaviours. 4. These results suggest that, as well as changes elicited by activation of NMDA receptors, metabotropic receptors and intracellular changes in the phosphatidylinositol (PI) second-messenger system or the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) second messenger system, to which EAA metabotropic receptors are linked, may be involved in the development of opioid dependence with chronic morphine treatment.

Alanine↗

PubMed1993

Potent analgesia induced in rats by combined action at PCP and polyamine recognition sites of the NMDA receptor complex.

The present study was performed to examine the analgesic effects of the intrathecal administration of agents acting at various sites in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor complex on the nociceptive responses to s.c. formalin injection in rats. Both the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) and the non-competitive NMDA antagonist dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) produced dose-dependent analgesic effects in the late, but not the early, phase of the formalin test. The polyamine antagonist ifenprodil, and the strychnine-insensitive glycine antagonists DCQX and 7-chlorokynurenic acid, failed to produce any analgesic effects in either the early or the late phase of the formalin test. The analgesic effects of APV were enhanced slightly by combined administration with a non-analgesic dose of glycine, and the analgesic effects of MK-801 were dramatically potentiated by combined administration of a non-analgesic dose of the polyamine spermine. The results indicate that much more potent analgesia can be produced in the formalin test by a combination of open channel blockers (such as MK-801) with agonists acting at the polyamine site, than by a single treatment with antagonists to either glycine allosteric or polyamine sites within the NMDA receptor complex.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

PubMed1993

CP-96,345, but not its stereoisomer, CP-96,344, blocks the nociceptive responses to intrathecally administered substance P and to noxious thermal and chemical stimuli in the rat.

The effects of subcutaneous administration of the non-peptide NK-1 (substance P) receptor antagonist, CP-96,345, and its stereoisomer, CP-96,344, were tested in three nociceptive paradigms in the rat. In the first paradigm, tail flick responses were monitored before and after intrathecal administration of substance P (6.5 nmol) in rats pretreated subcutaneously with saline, CP-96,344 (5 mg/kg) or CP-96,345 (5 mg/kg). In the control groups, pretreated with saline (n = 6) or with CP-96,344 (n = 5), substance P reduced the tail flick reaction time at 1 min after administration to 38.3 +/- 5.1 (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 32.1 +/- 7.7% of the mean baseline value, respectively. In contrast, in the group pretreated with CP-96,345 (n = 6) the reaction time following administration of substance P was 98.8 +/- 3.3% of the baseline reaction time; this value was not significantly different from the baseline value of this group, indicating a block (P < 0.01) of the substance P-induced facilitation of the tail flick response. In the second paradigm, rats were anesthetized with a mixture of chloral hydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and sodium pentobarbital (20 mg/kg, i.p.), and the effects were determined on tail flick reaction time of a sustained noxious cutaneous stimulation, immersing the tip of the tail in hot water at 55 degrees C. In the groups of rats pretreated with saline (n = 4) or with CP-96,344 (n = 7), this noxious stimulus produced a transient decrease in reaction time to 62-74% of the baseline value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Contribution of protein kinase C to central sensitization and persistent pain following tissue injury.

This paper provides evidence that central sensitization and persistent nociception following formalin-induced tissue injury in rats is dependent on the production of protein kinase C. Persistent nociceptive behavior in rats induced by subcutaneous formalin injection was significantly reduced by intrathecal pretreatment with a phospholipase C inhibitor (neomycin), and an inhibitor of protein kinase C (W-7), and was significantly enhanced by a phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PMA) and a stimulator of protein kinase C (SC-10). It is expected that noxious inputs associated with tissue injury produce a release of aspartate and glutamate within the spinal dorsal horn which by acting at ionotropic (NMDA) and metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptors produce an increase in intracellular messengers such as calcium and diacylglycerol which stimulate protein kinase C.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The contribution of excitatory amino acids to central sensitization and persistent nociception after formalin-induced tissue injury.

The contribution of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) to the development of central sensitization and persistent nociception in response to tissue injury in rats was examined following the subcutaneous injection of formalin into the hindpaw. Formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors were enhanced by intrathecal pretreatment with the EAAs L-glutamate and L-aspartate. An enhancement of the formalin nociceptive response was also produced by intrathecal pretreatment with the receptor-selective EAA agonists NMDA and trans-(+/- )-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid (ACPD), but not (R,S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisozazole-4-propionic acid hydrobromide (AMPA). The effect of NMDA was enhanced by a combined administration with AMPA or APCD. Formalin nociceptive responses were dose-dependently reduced by intrathecal pretreatment with the NMDA receptor antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) and (+)-MK-801 hydrogen maleate, but not the selective AMPA antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione or the selective metabotropic EAA receptor antagonist 2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid. The results suggest that EAAs acting at the NMDA receptor contribute to central sensitization and persistent nociception following subcutaneous formalin injection.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1992

The role of NMDA receptor-operated calcium channels in persistent nociception after formalin-induced tissue injury.

The contribution of intracellular calcium to central sensitization and persistent nociception in response to tissue injury in rats was examined following the subcutaneous injection of formalin into the hindpaw. Formalin injury-induced nociceptive behaviors were enhanced by intrathecal pretreatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 or the calcium channel agonist Bay-K8644. Conversely, formalin nociceptive responses were reduced by intrathecal pretreatment with the calcium chelator Quin 2 or the calcium channel antagonists verapamil and nifedipine. Each of these agents affected the tonic, but not the acute, phase of the formalin response. The enhancement in formalin nociceptive behavior in rats treated with L-aspartate or L-glutamate was reversed by combined pretreatment with the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801, but not by nifedipine or the non-NMDA excitatory amino acid antagonist 6-cyano-7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. In rats not treated with excitatory amino acids, the analgesic effect of MK-801 was also significantly greater than that produced by nifedipine. Furthermore, combining nifedipine with MK-801 did not produce a significantly greater analgesic effect than MK-801 alone. The results suggest that central sensitization and persistent nociception following formalin-induced tissue injury are dependent on the influx of calcium through predominantly NMDA receptor-operated (and to a lesser extent voltage-gated) calcium channels.

Animals↗