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Ghanbari A, Ghasemi S, Khaleghian A. Effects of swimming exercise on neuropathic pain in a rat model: role of glutamate. Neurol Res 2024; 46:330-338. [PMID: 38323336 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2024.2313901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The pain-reducing effects of the exercise were exerted through different mechanisms. Knowing more clear mechanisms helps to find more approach that is therapeutic. The objective of the present study is the evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glutamate level alteration in neuropathic pain rats and whether physical activity could modulate it. METHODS In the present study 104 male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (Sham, Sham + Exe, Neuropathy, and Neuropathy + Exe) which in turn each group subdivided into 4 groups according to time points for behavioral testing and CSF sampling (Baseline, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks). To induction of neuropathy (by chronic constriction injury,), after anesthetizing with a mixture of ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg), the animal's right sciatic nerve was exposed and was ligated using four movable catgut chromic suture 4/0. The exercise protocol included 25 min of daily swimming, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical tactile threshold were detected using the plantar test and Von Frey filaments, respectively. CSF glutamate level was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Findings indicated that mechanical and thermal thresholds significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 respectively) decreased in the neuropathy group against that in sham groups. On the other hand, exercise significantly increased mechanical tactile threshold (p < 0.0012) and thermal threshold (p < 0.05) compared to the neuropathy group. Moreover, CSF glutamate level prominently (p < 0.01) was increased in the neuropathy group compared to the sham group, and swimming exercise significantly (p < 0.001) reduced it. IN CONCLUSION The present findings provide new evidence showing that medium-intensity swimming exercise attenuates pain-like behaviors in neuropathic pain animals, which is possibly due to decreasing CSF glutamate level and its neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ghanbari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Sahar Ghasemi
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Khaleghian
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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2
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Wu Z, Feng K, Huang J, Ye X, Yang R, Huang Q, Jiang Q. Brain region changes following a spinal cord injury. Neurochem Int 2024; 174:105696. [PMID: 38354751 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Brain-related complications are common in clinical practice after spinal cord injury (SCI); however, the molecular mechanisms of these complications are still unclear. Here, we reviewed the changes in the brain regions caused by SCI from three perspectives: imaging, molecular analysis, and electrophysiology. Imaging studies revealed abnormal functional connectivity, gray matter volume atrophy, and metabolic abnormalities in brain regions after SCI, leading to changes in the structure and function of brain regions. At the molecular level, chemokines, inflammatory factors, and damage-associated molecular patterns produced in the injured area were retrogradely transmitted through the corticospinal tract, cerebrospinal fluid, or blood circulation to the specific brain area to cause pathologic changes. Electrophysiologic recordings also suggested abnormal changes in brain electrical activity after SCI. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and deep brain stimulation alleviated pain and improved motor function in patients with SCI; therefore, transcranial therapy may be a new strategy for the treatment of patients with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwu Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Kaiming Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Jinqing Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Xinyun Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Ruijin Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Qianliang Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
| | - Qiuhua Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital (Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University), 16th Mei-guan Avenue, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
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3
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Wang Z, Huang S, Yu X, Li L, Yang M, Liang S, Liu W, Tao J. Altered thalamic neurotransmitters metabolism and functional connectivity during the development of chronic constriction injury induced neuropathic pain. Biol Res 2020; 53:36. [PMID: 32843088 PMCID: PMC7448455 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-020-00303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the thalamic neurotransmitters and functional connections in the development of chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain. Methods The paw withdrawal threshold was measured by mechanical stimulation the right hind paw with the von frey hair in the rats of CCI-induced neuropathic pain. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and Glutamate (Glu) in thalamus were detected by magnetic resonance spectrum (MRS) process. The thalamic functional connectivity with other brain regions was scanned by functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI). Results The paw withdrawal threshold of the ipsilateral side showed a noticeable decline during the pathological process. Increased concentrations of Glu and decreased levels of NAA in the thalamus were significantly correlated with mechanical allodynia in the neuropathic pain states. The thalamic regional homogeneity (ReHo) decreased during the process of neuropathic pain. The functional connectivity among the thalamus with the insula and somatosensory cortex were significantly increased at different time points (7, 14, 21 days) after CCI surgery. Conclusion Our study suggests that dynamic changes in thalamic NAA and Glu levels contribute to the thalamic functional connection hyper-excitation during CCI-induced neuropathic pain. Enhanced thalamus-insula functional connection might have a significant effect on the occurrence of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifu Wang
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Xiangmei Yu
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Long Li
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Minguang Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Shengxiang Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Weilin Liu
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jing Tao
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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4
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A New Perspective on Using Glycols in Glutamate Biosensor Design: From Stabilizing Agents to a New Containment Net. CHEMOSENSORS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors8020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is involved in many normal physiological brain activities, but also neurological disorders and excitotoxicity. Hence, glutamate measurement is important both in clinical and pre-clinical studies. Pre-clinical studies often use amperometric biosensors due to their low invasiveness and the relatively small size of the devices. These devices also provide fast, real-time measurements because of their high sensitivity. In the present study, diethylene glycol (DEG), neopentyl glycol (NPG), triethylene glycol (TEG), and glycerol (GLY) were used to increase the long-term stability of glutamate biosensors. The evaluation was made by measuring variations of the main enzymatic (VMAX and KM) and analytical (Linear Region Slope (LRS)) parameters. Of the glycols tested, TEG was the most promising stabilizer, showing about twice as high VMAX maintained over a greater duration than with other stabilizers tested. It is also yielded the most stable linear region slope (LRS) values over the study duration. Moreover, we highlighted the ability of glycols to interact with enzyme molecules to form a containment network, able to maintain all the layered components of the biosensor adhering to the transducer.
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5
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Strand J, Stinson C, Bellinger LL, Peng Y, Kramer PR. G i protein functions in thalamic neurons to decrease orofacial nociceptive response. Brain Res 2018; 1694:63-72. [PMID: 29763576 PMCID: PMC6026072 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Orofacial pain includes neuronal pathways that project from the trigeminal nucleus to and through the thalamus. What role the ventroposterior thalamic complex (VP) has on orofacial pain transmission is not understood. To begin to address this question an inhibitory G protein (Gi) designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug (DREADD) was transfected in cells of the VP using adeno-associated virus isotype 8. Virus infected cells were identified by a fluorescent tag and immunostaining. Cells were silenced after injecting the designer drug clozapine-n-oxide, which binds the designer receptor activating Gi. Facial rubbing and local field potentials (LFP) in the VP were then recorded in awake, free moving Sprague Dawley rats after formalin injection of the masseter muscle to induce nociception. Formalin injection significantly increased LFP and the nociceptive behavioral response. Activation of DREADD Gi with clozapine-n-oxide significantly reduced LFP in the VP and reduced the orofacial nociceptive response. Because DREADD silencing can result from Gi-coupled inwardly-rectifying potassium channels (GIRK), the GIRK channel blocker tertiapin-Q was injected. Injection of GIRK blocker resulted in an increase in the nociceptive response and increased LFP activity. Immunostaining of the VP for glutamate vesicular transporter (VGLUT2) and gamma-aminobutyric acid vesicular transporter (VGAT) indicated a majority of the virally transfected cells were excitatory (VGLUT2 positive) and a minority were inhibitory (VGAT positive). We conclude first, that inhibition of the excitatory neurons within the VP reduced electrical activity and the orofacial nociceptive response and that the effect on excitatory neurons overwhelmed any change resulting from inhibitor neurons. Second, inhibition of LFP and nociception was due, in part, to GIRK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Strand
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, United States
| | - Crystal Stinson
- Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246, United States
| | - Larry L Bellinger
- Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246, United States
| | - Yuan Peng
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, United States
| | - Phillip R Kramer
- Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX 75246, United States.
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Zhang ZL, Yu G, Liang XN, Su RB, Gong ZH. Selective downregulation of vesicular glutamate transporter2 in ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus attenuates neuropathic mechanical allodynia in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 828:103-109. [PMID: 29605418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) transport glutamate into synaptic vesicles prior to exocytotic release. The expression pattern of VGLUT2 and studies of genetically modified mice have revealed that VGLUT2 contributes to neuropathic pain. We previously showed that VGLUT2 is upregulated in supraspinal regions including the thalamus in mice following spared nerve injury (SNI), and blocking VGLUTs using the VGLUT inhibitor CSB6B attenuated mechanical allodynia. To further evaluate the role of VGLUT2 in neuropathic pain, in this study, we developed a lentiviral vector expressing small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against mouse VGLUT2, which was injected into the ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus in the presence or absence of SNI. The administration of VGLUT2 shRNAs result in downregulation of VGLUT2 mRNA and protein expression, and decreased extracellular glutamate release in primary cultured neurons. We also showed that VGLUT2 shRNAs attenuated SNI-induced mechanical allodynia, in accordance with knockdown of VGLUT2 in the VPL nucleus in mice. Accordingly, our study supports the essential role of supraspinal VGLUT2 in neuropathic pain in adult mice and, thereby, validates VGLUT2 as a potential target for neuropathic pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Xiao-Nan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Rui-Bin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ze-Hui Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
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7
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Kramer PR, Strand J, Stinson C, Bellinger LL, Kinchington PR, Yee MB, Umorin M, Peng YB. Role for the Ventral Posterior Medial/Posterior Lateral Thalamus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Affective/Motivation Pain Induced by Varicella Zoster Virus. Front Integr Neurosci 2017; 11:27. [PMID: 29089872 PMCID: PMC5651084 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2017.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infects the face and can result in chronic, debilitating pain. The mechanism for this pain is unknown and current treatment is often not effective, thus investigations into the pain pathway become vital. Pain itself is multidimensional, consisting of sensory and affective experiences. One of the primary brain substrates for transmitting sensory signals in the face is the ventral posterior medial/posterior lateral thalamus (VPM/VPL). In addition, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been shown to be vital in the affective experience of pain, so investigating both of these areas in freely behaving animals was completed to address the role of the brain in VZV-induced pain. Our lab has developed a place escape avoidance paradigm (PEAP) to measure VZV-induced affective pain in the orofacial region of the rat. Using this assay as a measure of the affective pain experience a significant response was observed after VZV injection into the whisker pad and after VZV infusion into the trigeminal ganglion. Local field potentials (LFPs) are the summed electrical current from a group of neurons. LFP in both the VPM/VPL and ACC was attenuated in VZV injected rats after inhibition of neuronal activity. This inhibition of VPM/VPL neurons was accomplished using a designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug (DREADD). Immunostaining showed that cells within the VPM/VPL expressed thalamic glutamatergic vesicle transporter-2, NeuN and DREADD suggesting inhibition occurred primarily in excitable neurons. From these results we conclude: (1) that VZV associated pain does not involve a mechanism exclusive to the peripheral nerve terminals, and (2) can be controlled, in part, by excitatory neurons within the VPM/VPL that potentially modulate the affective experience by altering activity in the ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip R Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer Strand
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
| | - Crystal Stinson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Larry L Bellinger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Paul R Kinchington
- Department of Ophthalmology and Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Michael B Yee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mikhail Umorin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Yuan B Peng
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
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8
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Weisshaar CL, Kras JV, Pall PS, Kartha S, Winkelstein BA. Ablation of IB4 non-peptidergic afferents in the rat facet joint prevents injury-induced pain and thalamic hyperexcitability via supraspinal glutamate transporters. Neurosci Lett 2017; 655:82-89. [PMID: 28689926 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The facet joint is a common source of neck pain, particularly after excessive stretch of its capsular ligament. Peptidergic afferents have been shown to have an important role in the development and maintenance of mechanical hyperalgesia, dysregulated nociceptive signaling, and spinal hyperexcitability that develop after mechanical injury to the facet joint. However, the role of non-peptidergic isolectin-B4 (IB4) cells in mediating joint pain is unknown. Isolectin-B4 saporin (IB4-SAP) was injected into the facet joint to ablate non-peptidergic cells, and the facet joint later underwent a ligament stretch known to induce pain. Behavioral sensitivity, thalamic glutamate transporter expression, and thalamic hyperexcitability were evaluated up to and at day 7. Administering IB4-SAP prior to a painful injury prevented the development of mechanical hyperalgesia that is typically present. Intra-articular IB4-SAP also prevented the upregulation of the glutamate transporters GLT-1 and EAAC1 in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus and reduced thalamic neuronal hyperexcitability at day 7. These findings suggest that a painful facet injury induces changes extending to supraspinal structures and that IB4-positive afferents in the facet joint may be critical for the development and maintenance of sensitization in the thalamus after a painful facet joint injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Weisshaar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 S. 33rd St Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jeffrey V Kras
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 S. 33rd St Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Parul S Pall
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 S. 33rd St Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sonia Kartha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 S. 33rd St Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Beth A Winkelstein
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, 210 S. 33rd St Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 105 Hayden Hall, 3320 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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9
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Masoudi A, Dargahi L, Abbaszadeh F, Pourgholami MH, Asgari A, Manoochehri M, Jorjani M. Neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin in a rat model of spinal cord injury. Behav Brain Res 2017; 329:104-110. [PMID: 28442361 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to constant neurological deficits and long-term unalterable disability. Apoptosis plays an important role in the initiation of the secondary injury cascades leading to progressive tissue damage and severely functional deficits after SCI. Although the primary mechanical destructive events cannot be reversed, a therapeutic intervention could be carried out in order to moderate the secondary injury damage several hours to weeks after injury. Astaxanthin (AST) is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents with the potential to render anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects. In the current study, we examined the therapeutic potential of AST on adult rats after severe SCI contusion. Results of BBB scores showed that AST improved motor function after SCI compared to control groups. Western blot analysis showed reduced expression of Bax and Cleaved-caspase-3 proteins and increased expression of the Bcl-2 protein in response to AST treatment (p<0.05). The histology results also showed that AST considerably preserved myelinated white matter and the number of motor neurons. This study is the first to report that AST reduces neuronal apoptosis, diminishes pathological tissue damage and improves functional recovery after SCI. The observed prominent neuroprotective effects, introduces AST as a promising therapy for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Masoudi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Dargahi
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Abbaszadeh
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Asgari
- Sport Physiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Aerospace Medicine Research Center, AJA Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Manoochehri
- School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Jorjani
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Li X, Ge SN, Li Y, Wang HT. Neurokinin-1 Receptor-Immunopositive Neurons in the Medullary Dorsal Horn Provide Collateral Axons to both the Thalamus and Parabrachial Nucleus in Rats. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:375-388. [PMID: 28097463 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2080-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that the trigemino-thalamic and trigemino-parabrachial projection neurons in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) are highly implicated in the sensory-discriminative and emotional/affective aspects of orofacial pain, respectively. In previous studies, some neurons were reported to send projections to both the thalamus and parabrachial nucleus by way of collaterals in the MDH. However, little is known about the chemoarchitecture of this group of neurons. Thus, in the present study, we determined whether the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor, which is crucial for primary orofacial pain signaling, was expressed in MDH neurons co-innervating the thalamus and parabrachial nucleus. Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) mRNA, a biomarker for the subgroup of glutamatergic neurons closely related to pain sensation, was assessed in trigemino-parabrachial projection neurons in the MDH. After stereotactic injection of fluorogold (FG) and cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) into the ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus (VPM) and parabrachial nucleus (PBN), respectively, triple labeling with fluorescence dyes for FG, CTB and NK-1 receptor (NK-1R) revealed that approximately 76 % of the total FG/CTB dually labeled neurons were detected as NK-1R-immunopositive, and more than 94 % of the triple-labeled neurons were distributed in lamina I. In addition, by FG retrograde tract-tracing combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for VGLUT2 mRNA, 54, 48 and 70 % of FG-labeled neurons in laminae I, II and III, respectively, of the MDH co-expressed FG and VGLUT2 mRNA. Thus, most of the MDH neurons co-innervating the thalamus and PBN were glutamatergic. Most MDH neurons providing the collateral axons to both the thalamus and parabrachial nucleus in rats were NK-1R-immunopositive and expressed VGLUT2 mRNA. NK-1R and VGLUT2 in MDH neurons may be involved in both sensory-discriminative and emotional/affective aspects of orofacial pain processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shun-Nan Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Han-Tao Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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11
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Wang HS, Yu G, Wang ZT, Yi SP, Su RB, Gong ZH. Changes in VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 expression in rat dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord following spared nerve injury. Neurochem Int 2016; 99:9-15. [PMID: 27210824 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Disturbance of glutamate homeostasis is a well-characterized mechanism of neuropathic pain. Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) determine glutamate accumulation in synaptic vesicles and their roles in neuropathic pain have been suggested by gene-knockout studies. Here, we investigated the spatio-temporal changes in VGLUT expression during the development of neuropathic pain in wild-type rats. Spared nerve injury (SNI) induced mechanical allodynia from postoperative day 1 to at least day 14. Expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord was examined by western blot analyses on different postoperative days. We observed that VGLUT2 were selectively upregulated in crude vesicle fractions from the ipsilateral lumbar enlargement on postoperative days 7 and 14, while VGLUT1 was transiently downregulated in ipsilateral DRG (day 4) and contralateral lumbar enlargement (day 1). Upregulation of VGLUT2 was not accompanied by alterations in vesicular expression of synaptotagmin or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Thus, VGLUTs expression, especially VGLUT2, is regulated following peripheral nerve injury. Temporal regulation of VGLUT2 expression in spinal cord may represent a novel presynaptic mechanism contributing to injury-induced glutamate imbalance and associated neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Sheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Zhi-Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Shou-Pu Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Rui-Bin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ze-Hui Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
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Yu J, Ding CP, Wang J, Wang T, Zhang T, Zeng XY, Wang JY. Red nucleus glutamate facilitates neuropathic allodynia induced by spared nerve injury through non-NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptors. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:1839-48. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Cui-Ping Ding
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine; Ankang City Center Hospital; Ankang Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine; Ankang City Center Hospital; Ankang Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Yang Wang
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center; Xi'an Shaanxi People's Republic of China
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Naderi A, Asgari AR, Zahed R, Ghanbari A, Samandari R, Jorjani M. Estradiol attenuates spinal cord injury-related central pain by decreasing glutamate levels in thalamic VPL nucleus in male rats. Metab Brain Dis 2014; 29:763-70. [PMID: 24879046 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-014-9570-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is a complicated medical problem that involves both the spinal and supraspinal regions of the central nervous system. Estrogen, a neuroprotective agent, has been considered a possible candidate for CNP treatment. In this study, we examined the effects of a single dose of 17β-estradiol on glutamate levels in the ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the rat thalamus. Furthermore, we determined whether there was a correlation between glutamate levels and neuropathic pain induced by unilateral electrolytic spinothalamic tract (STT) lesion. STT lesioning was performed in male Wistar rats at the T8-T9 vertebrae; rats were then administered 17β-estradiol (4 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min after injury. Glutamate samples were collected using a microdialysis probe and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. Mechanical allodynia (MA) and thermal hyperalgesia (TH) thresholds were measured pre-injury and 7, 14, and 28 days post-injury. We found that STT lesion significantly increased glutamate levels in the ipsilateral VPL nucleus 14 and 28 days post-injury; this was accompanied by allodynia and hyperalgesia in the hind paws of the rats. Administering 17β-estradiol to the rats decreased glutamate levels in the ipsilateral VPL nucleus and significantly increased MA and TH thresholds. These results suggest that glutamate in the VPL nucleus of the thalamus is involved in the pathology of neuropathic pain after STT injury; furthermore, 17β-estradiol may attenuate this neuropathic pain by decreasing glutamate levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asieh Naderi
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
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