Use of non-peptide tachykinin receptor antagonists to substantiate the involvement of NK1 and NK2 receptors in a spinal nociceptive reflex in the rat

The role of peptides in central sensitization

Peptides released in the spinal cord from the central terminals of nociceptors contribute to the persistent hyperalgesia that defines the clinical experience of chronic pain. Using substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as examples, this review addresses the multiple mechanisms through which peptidergic neurotransmission contributes to the development and maintenance of chronic pain. Activation of CGRP receptors on terminals of primary afferent neurons facilitates transmitter release and receptors on spinal neurons increases glutamate activation of AMPA receptors. Both effects are mediated by cAMP-dependent mechanisms. Substance P activates neurokinin receptors (3 subtypes) which couple to phospholipase C and the generation of the intracellular messengers whose downstream effects include depolarizing the membrane and facilitating the function of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Activation of neurokinin-1 receptors also increases the synthesis of prostaglandins whereas activation of neurokinin-3 receptors increases the synthesis of nitric oxide. Both products act as retrograde messengers across synapses and facilitate nociceptive signaling in the spinal cord. Whereas these cellular effects of CGRP and SP at the level of the spinal cord contribute to the development of increased synaptic strength between nociceptors and spinal neurons in the pathway for pain, the different intracellular signaling pathways also activate different transcription factors. The activated transcription factors initiate changes in the expression of genes that contribute to long-term changes in the excitability of spinal and maintain hyperalgesia.

Multiple neurotransmitter receptors contribute to the spinal Fos expression

The aim of this study is to identify the receptors which could potentially mediate the activation of c-Fos. Therefore, the effects of neurotransmitter receptor agonists in the activation of c-Fos in spinal neurons were studied by intrathecal injection of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor agonists: N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA), (S)-alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), 2-Carboxyl-3-carboxymethyl-4-isopropenylpyMidine (Kainic acid, KA), (1S-3R)-1-Aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylacid (ACPD), and substance-P receptor (neurokinin-1) agonist, [Sar9, Met (O2)11] SP (SarMet-SP). All drugs tested activated the production of c-Fos in spinal dorsal horn neurons. AMPA was found as the most potent agonist tested producing market production of c-Fos particularly in neurons of lamina II at doses of 10 pM per 10-microl injection. At this dose, other agonists were relatively ineffective. At higher doses, AMPA significantly increased the activated cells. NMDA significantly increased c-Fos production to a marked extent only at doses above 10 nM per 10-microl injection. KA and ACPD were least potent of the excitatory amino acid agonists. Injection of SarMet-SP at doses of 1 nM activated Fos selectively in neurons of lamina I. A dose-dependent increase in number of c-Fos-positive cells was observed for AMPA, KA, ACPD, and SarMet-SP, whereas NMDA gave a very strong expression after a high dose with no dose dependency. These finding suggest that multiple neurotransmitter receptors lead to c-Fos production in spinal neurons.

Attenuation of nociception in a model of acute pancreatitis by an NK-1 antagonist

Substance P (SP) acting at the NK-1 neurokinin receptor has a well-documented role in the transmission and maintenance of nociceptive information. SP is found in the majority of fibers innervating the pancreas, and it is up-regulated after pancreatic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the NK-1 receptors in the maintenance of pancreatic nociception. Using a newly developed rat model of acute pancreatic nociception that persists for 1 week, the NK-1 receptor expression in the spinal cord and pancreas was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting procedures. The effects of a specific NK-1 antagonist, CP99,994, on the behavioral manifestations of pancreatic nociception were determined. The antagonist was administered intraperitoneally and intrathecally to differentiate peripheral and central effects. Injection of CP-100,263, the inactive enantiomer of CP-99,994 was used as a control for nonspecific effects of the antagonist. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis revealed an up-regulation of the NK-1 receptor occurs in the pancreas but not at the spinal cord level. The NK-1 antagonist was able to attenuate the nociceptive behaviors in rats with pancreatitis when applied intraperitoneally with a short duration of effectiveness. Intrathecal application of the antagonist was ineffective. These results suggest the involvement of pancreatic NK-1 receptors in the maintenance of nociception during pancreatic inflammation.

Substance P (NK1) and somatostatin (sst2A) receptor immunoreactivity in NTS-projecting rat dorsal horn neurones activated by nociceptive afferent input

Spinal neurones that receive inputs from primary afferent fibres and have axons projecting supraspinally to the medulla oblongata may represent a pathway through which nociceptive and non-nociceptive peripheral stimuli are able to modulate cardiorespiratory reflexes. Expression of the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor is believed to be an indicator of lamina I cells that receive nociceptive inputs from substance P releasing afferents, and similarly, sst2A receptor expression may be a marker for neurones receiving somatostatinergic inputs. In this study, immunoreactivity for these two receptors was investigated in rat spinal neurones retrogradely labelled by injections of cholera toxin B or Fluorogold into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). In addition, nociceptive activation of these labelled cells was studied by immunodetection of Fos protein in response to cutaneous and visceral noxious chemical stimuli. NK1 and sst2A receptors in lamina I were localised to mainly separate populations of retrogradely labelled cells with fusiform, flattened and pyramidal morphologies. Examples of projection neurones expressing both receptors were, however observed. With visceral stimulation, many retrogradely labelled cells expressing c-fos were immunoreactive for the NK1 receptor, and a smaller population was sst2A positive. In contrast, with cutaneous stimulation, only NK1 positive retrogradely labelled cells showed c-fos expression. These data provide evidence that lamina I neurones receiving noxious cutaneous and visceral stimuli via NK1 receptor activation project to NTS and so may be involved in coordinating nociceptive and cardiorespiratory responses. Moreover, a subpopulation of projection neurones that respond to visceral stimuli may receive somatostatinergic inputs of peripheral, local or supraspinal origins.

Effects of the calcium release inhibitor dantrolene and the Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin on spinal nociception in rats

The effects produced by the intrathecal administration of dantrolene and thapsigargin, measured in several analgesic tests in the rat are described. Dantrolene decreases the release of calcium from intracellular stores and thapsigargin is able to inhibit the reticular Ca2+-ATPase, avoiding intracellular calcium storage. Dantrolene (30-300 nmol/rat) and thapsigargin (3-30 nmol/rat) reduced the nociceptive behavior (biting, scratching, licking; BSL) produced by the NK(1) receptor agonist septide (0.5 microg), without affecting the BSL induced by AMPA (2 microg) or NMDA (4 microg). Also, both drugs elicited analgesia in the tail-flick test but not in the formalin test. The antinociceptive effects induced by thapsigargin were more intense and long-lasting than those produced by dantrolene. These results seem to indicate that the intracellular modulation of calcium homeostasis could be an interesting target in order to induce spinal analgesia.

Colocalization of CGRP with 5-HT1B/1D receptors and substance P in trigeminal ganglion neurons in rats

Vasodilatation in the dura mater has been implicated in migraine pathogenesis. Anti-migraine triptan drugs block vasodilatation by binding to 5-HT1B/1D receptors localized on the peripheral sensory terminals and dural blood vessel smooth muscles. Previous studies suggest that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from Adelta-fibres plays a more important role than substance P (SP) released from C-fibres in inducing dural vasodilatation and that one of the antimigraine mechanisms of triptan drugs is inhibiting CGRP release. In the present study, the relationship between CGRP and 5-HT1B/1D receptors, and between CGRP and SP in the trigeminal ganglion neurons in rats was examined by double immunohistochemical staining. CGRP, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D and SP-positive trigeminal ganglion neurons were all predominantly small and medium-sized. In the trigeminal ganglia, approximately 50% of CGRP-positive neurons were 5-HT1B positive. Similarly, approximately 55% of CGRP-positive neurons were 5-HT1D immunoreactive. Approximately 50% of CGRP-positive neurons were SP-positive, while 93% of SP-positive neurons were CGRP-positive, suggesting that nearly all SP-positive neurons also contain CGRP. The fibre types of the 5-HT1B- and 5-HT1D-positive neurons were further investigated with an antibody against the A-fibre marker 200-kDa neurofilaments (NF200). Approximately 46% of the 5-HT1B-positive and 43% of the 5-HT1D-positive trigeminal ganglion neurons were also NF200 positive, indicating that many A-fibre trigeminal neurons express 5-HT1B or 5-HT1D receptors. These results support the hypothesis that one important action of antimigraine drugs is the inhibition of CGRP release and that Adelta-fibres may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis.

Involvement of spinal NK2 and NMDA receptors in aversive behavior induced by intra-arterial injection of capsaicin

The spinal processing by which intra-arterial injection of capsaicin (CAP) induces vocalization response (VOR) was investigated in guinea pigs. Intrathecal pre-treatment with CP-96,345 (a selective NK(1) receptor antagonist, 50 nmol) did not affect the CAP-induced VOR. However, significant attenuation of the VOR was observed by intrathecal pre-treatment with a selective NK(2) receptor antagonist MEN-10,376 (40 nmol) accompanied with a significant change in the response modality. MK-801 [an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, 20 and 40 nmol] inhibited the CAP-induced VOR dose-dependently without affecting the response modalities. Furthermore, intrathecal co-treatment with 40-nmol MEN-10,376 and 40-nmol MK-801 resulted in a marked inhibitory effect on the VOR followed by a significant alteration of response modalities. Intrathecal pre-treatment with neurokinin A (NKA; a tachykinin NK(2) receptor agonist, 1 nmol) enhanced the CAP-induced VOR. These behavioral results suggested that spinal NK(2) and NMDA receptors might have priority over NK(1) receptors in the spinal processing of nociceptive information from the CAP-sensitive nociceptor.

Evidence for an involvement of tachykinins in allodynia in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

A better knowledge of the pathophysiology of chronic pain could help to improve the treatment of patients with such syndrome. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the possible involvement of spinal substance P and neurokinin A in the mechanical and thermal allodynia observed in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. A tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonist, RP-67,580 ((3aR,7aR) -7, 7-diphenyl-2-(1-imino-2(2-methoxy phenyl)-ethyl) perhydroisoindol-4-one hydrochloride), a tachykinin NK(2) receptor antagonist, SR-48,968 ((S)-N-methyl (4-(acetylamino-4phenylpiperidino)-2-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl) butyl) benzamide) and their respective enantiomers were intrathecally administered 4 weeks after the induction of diabetes. Mechanical and thermal allodynia were evaluated before and up to 60 min after injection. The tachykinin receptor antagonists at the highest doses (10 and 25 microgram) significantly reduced allodynia, their enantiomers being inactive. Both of these data suggest the involvement of substance P and neurokinin A in the neuropathy-induced allodynia and offer a novel hypothesis to treat chronic pain due to diabetes.

SR142801 behaves as a tachykinin NK-3 receptor agonist on a spinal nociceptive reflex in the rat

Effects of two commonly used tachykinin NK-3 receptor antagonists (SR 142801 and R820) intrathecally (i.t.) administered were assessed in the rat tail-flick test. SR142801 and its (R)-enantiomer SR142806 (1.3, 6.5 and 65 nmol) were found as potent as senktide and [MePhe7]NKB (NK-3 selective agonists) to induce transient antinociceptive effects. Naloxone (10 microg) and R820 (6.5 nmol) blocked reversibly the responses to 6.5 nmol senktide, [MePhe7]NKB, SR142801 and SR142806 when administered i.t. 15 min earlier. However, the antinociceptive responses induced by SR142801 and SR142806 were not affected by i.t. pretreatments with NK-1 (6.5 nmol SR140333) and NK-2 (6.5 nmol SR48968) receptor antagonists. In control experiments, the NK-1 and NK-2 antagonists prevented the hyperalgesic effects to NK-1 ([Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP) and NK-2 ([beta-Ala8] NKA(4-10)) receptor agonists (6.5 nmol i.t.), respectively. R820 had no direct effect on nociceptive threshold and failed to alter angiotensin II-induced antinociception. The data suggest that the antinociceptive effect of SR142801 is due to an agonist effect at NK-3 receptor in the rat spinal cord that involves a local opioid mechanism. These results can be best explained by the existence of inter-species NK-3 receptor subtypes.

Disruption of the substance P receptor (neurokinin-1) gene does not prevent upregulation of preprotachykinin-A mRNA in the spinal cord of mice following peripheral inflammation

The neuropeptide substance P is thought to play an important role in nociception, although the function of the peptide remains controversial. Following peripheral inflammation there is a pronounced upregulation of substance P expression both in sensory neurons and in postsynaptic neurons within the spinal cord. We have examined the levels of expression of mRNA encoding substance P and dynorphin following the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia in mice in which the substance P receptor gene, also known as the neurokinin-1 receptor gene, has been disrupted by homologous recombination. We show that inflammatory hyperalgesia following injection of complete Freund's adjuvant develops normally in animals that lack the neurokinin-1 receptor and that expression of mRNAs encoding substance P and the neuropeptide dynorphin are upregulated regardless of the genotype of the mouse. This suggests that substance P activity is not required for the development and maintenance of inflammatory hyperalgesia and that the upregulation of substance P expression is mediated by neurotransmitters other than substance P.

Transmitters involved in antinociception in the spinal cord

The possible physiological and pathophysiological role of monoamines-adrenergic transmitter (norepinephrine), serotonin; cholinergic transmitter (acetylcholine); inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and excitatory (glutamate) amino acids; opioid and nonopioid peptides, enkephalins, beta-endorphin and substance P, neurokinin-A, neurokinin-B, neurotensin, cytokines, calcitonine gene-related peptide, galanin, neuropeptide Y, nerve growth factor, cholecystokinin; purines; nitric oxide; vanilloid receptor agonists (capasaicin); and nociceptin-in spinal transmission of pain is reviewed. The role of substance P, neurokinin-A and neurokinin-B in the dorsal horn has been identified. These were suggested to be primary afferent transmitters mediating or facilitating the expression of nociceptive inputs. Pronociceptive modulators will be discussed later. Recent findings showing that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation generates nitric oxide and prostanoids that enhance pain transmission whereas adenosine release acts to control these NMDA-mediated events are also mentioned. The clinical importance of centrally acting alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists (clonidine and dexmedetomidine) is also discussed. Antinociceptive and morphine-potentiating drugs are ideal adjuvants for anesthesia; their application in spinal anesthesia is highlighted. The recent development in understanding the importance of noradrenergic transmission and subtypes of alpha2-adrenoceptors (alpha2A and alpha2B) for the first time is reviewed.

Long-term depression of C-fibre-evoked spinal field potentials by stimulation of primary afferent A delta-fibres in the adult rat

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of spinal C-fibre-evoked field potentials can be induced by brief electrical stimulation of afferent C-fibres, by natural noxious stimulation of skin or by acute nerve injury. Here, we report that in urethane anaesthetized, adult rats prolonged high frequency burst stimulation of the sciatic nerve at Adelta-fibre strength produced long-term depression (LTD) of C-fibre-evoked field potentials, and also depressed the increased amplitudes of C-fibre-evoked field potentials recorded after LTP had been established (depotentiation). Electrical stimulation of Abeta-fibres failed to induce LTD or depotentiation. In spinalized rats, prolonged Adelta-fibre conditioning stimulation induced LTP rather than LTD of C-fibre-evoked field potentials. Thus, tonic descending inhibition may determine the direction of plastic changes in C-fibre-mediated synaptic transmission. Spinal application of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist D-APV blocked induction of LTD in intact rats and LTP in spinalized rats. The presently described LTD and the depotentiation of established LTP of C-fibre-evoked field potentials in spinal dorsal horn may underlie some forms of prolonged analgesia induced by peripheral nerve stimulation procedures.

Astroglial distribution of neurokinin-2 receptor immunoreactivity in the rat spinal cord

Two mouse monoclonal antibodies, 11H9.1 and 1G7.10, raised against the COOH-terminus peptide (359-390) of the rat neurokinin-2 receptor, were used to visualize by light and electron microscope immunocytochemistry the distribution of this receptor in adult rat spinal cord. At all spinal levels, immunoreactivity was mainly observed in two narrow crescentic zones bordering the gray matter of the dorsal and ventral horns, and around the central canal. In the light microscope, this labelling was the densest within the outer part of lamina I facing the dorsal column, where it took the form of minute dots and streaks scattered in the neuropil. In the electron microscope, such a localization was exclusively astrocytic and essentially involved astrocytic leaflets, as indicated by the size and irregular shape of the immunostained processes, their location between and around neuronal profiles, and their occasional display of glial filaments. The diaminobenzidine reaction product showed some predilection for the plasma membrane and was occasionally seen at gap junctions of these labelled processes. Many labelled astrocytic leaflets were observed in the immediate vicinity of axon terminals containing large dense-cored vesicles, and around fibres morphologically identifiable as primary afferent, unmyelinated C-fibres. These observations suggest that astrocytic neurokinin-2 receptors could define the effective sphere of neurokinin A neuromodulation in rat spinal cord, via alterations in the regulation of the extracellular environment and glutamate uptake by astrocytes and/or the release of putative astroglial mediators. The astrocyte neurokinin-2 receptors, activated by extrasynaptic neurokinin A, might thus co-operate with neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-3 neuronal receptors in the modulation of nociceptive information.

Small sensory neurons in the rat dorsal root ganglia express functional NK-1 tachykinin receptor

The tachykinins substance P (SP) and neurokinin A, released by the C-type primary afferent fibre terminals of the small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, play important roles in spinal nociception. By means of non-radioactive in situ hybridization and whole-cell recording, we showed that the small rat DRG neurons also express the NK-1 tachykinin receptor. In situ hybridization demonstrated that the positive neurons in rat DRG sections were mainly small cells (85.9%) with diameters less than 25 microm. The remaining positive neurons (14.1%) were cells with medium diameters between 26 and 40 microm. No positive large neurons (diameters > 40 microm) were observed. Expression in small DRG neurons (diameter < 21 microm) was confirmed by in situ hybridization of isolated cells, which were demonstrated to express NK-1 receptor mRNA at a very high frequency (> 90% of small DRG neurons) and therefore were subjected to whole-cell recording. In 57 of 61 cells recorded, SP or the selective NK-1 receptor agonist [Sar9, Met(O2)11]SP (Sar-SP, 1 or 2 microM) produced a delayed vibrating inward current (50-300 nA) with a long duration of 0.5-2 h. These currents were blocked by co-application of the NK-1 receptor antagonist L-668, 169 (1 microM), but were not affected by the NK-2 antagonist L-659, 877 (2 microM). Both current-clamp recording and cell-attached single-channel recording demonstrated that the long-lasting response was due to the opening of a channel with an inward current. Employment of non-Ca2+ and Ca2+ + choline solutions revealed that this channel might be a Ca2+-permeable, non-selective cation channel. The prolonged NK-1 tachykinin response exhibited extreme desensitization. This work suggests that presynaptic NK-1 autoreceptors may be present on the primary afferent terminals in the spinal cord, where they could contribute to the chronic pain and hyperalgesia.

Effects of RPR 100893, a potent NK1 antagonist, on the jaw-opening reflex in the guinea pig

RPR 100893 appears as a new potent NK1 selective non-peptide antagonist both in vitro and in vivo, and exhibits high affinity for guinea pig and human NK1 receptor [M. Tabart, J.-F. Peyronel, Synthesis of RPR 100893, prototype of a new series of potent and selective non-peptide NK1 antagonists: the triarylperhydroisoindolols, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 4 (1994) 673-676.]. Intra-oral administration of RPR 100893 (3, 15, 10, 30 mg/kg) was performed in freely moving guinea pigs during recording of the short- (6-10 ms) and long-latency (18-26 ms) jaw-opening reflex (JOR) elicited by electrical stimulation (0.5 Hz) of the lower incisor tooth pulp. RPR 100893 induced a noticeable and dose-dependent increase of the long-latency reflex thresholds (P<0. 001) but was ineffective on the short-latency responses (P=0.14). The results suggest that, in guinea pigs, the long-latency JOR requires activation of NK1 receptors, while the earlier reflex component, elicited by activation of periodontal afferents, does not. These NK1 receptors could be located either on JOR interneurons activated by tooth pulp afferents or on digastric motoneurons, receiving the tooth pulp input through a polysynaptic pathway.

The tachykinin NK1 receptor. Part II: Distribution and pathophysiological roles

The tachykinin NK1 receptor is widely distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous system. In the CNS, NK1 receptors have been implicated in various behavioural responses and in regulating neuronal survival and degeneration. Moreover, central NK1 receptors regulate cardiovascular and respiratory function and are involved in activating the emetic reflex. At the spinal cord level, NK1 receptors are activated during the synaptic transmission, especially in response to noxious stimuli applied at the receptive field of primary afferent neurons. Both neurophysiological and behavioural evidences support a role of spinal NK1 receptors in pain transmission. Spinal NK1 receptors also modulate autonomic reflexes, including the micturition reflex. In the peripheral nervous system, tachykinin NK1 receptors are widely expressed in the respiratory, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts and are also expressed by several types of inflammatory and immune cells. In the cardiovascular system, NK1 receptors mediate endothelium-dependent vasodilation and plasma protein extravasation. At respiratory level, NK1 receptors mediate neurogenic inflammation which is especially evident upon exposure of the airways to irritants. In the carotid body, NK1 receptors mediate the ventilatory response to hypoxia. In the gastrointestinal system, NK1 receptors mediate smooth muscle contraction, regulate water and ion secretion and mediate neuro-neuronal communication. In the genitourinary tract, NK1 receptors are widely distributed in the renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra and mediate smooth muscle contraction and inflammation in response to noxious stimuli. Based on the knowledge of distribution and pathophysiological roles of NK1 receptors, it has been anticipated that NK1 receptor antagonists may have several therapeutic applications at central and peripheral level. At central level, it is speculated that NK1 receptor antagonists could be used to produce analgesia, as antiemetics and for treatment of certain forms of urinary incontinence due to detrusor hyperreflexia. In the peripheral nervous system, tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists could be used in several inflammatory diseases including arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases and cystitis. Several potent tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists are now under evaluation in the clinical setting, and more information on their usefulness in treatment of human diseases will be available in the next few years.

Vagal efferent fibre responses to gastric and oesophageal mechanical and chemical stimuli in the ferret

Gastric and oesophageal afferent inputs to vagal efferent fibres were investigated in Urethane anaesthetized ferrets. Mechanical, chemical, and pharmacological stimuli were tested and efferent activity recorded from single cervical vagal fibres. Fibres showed either no basal discharge or low frequency, irregular patterns of resting discharge; only those which showed > 50% excitation or inhibition of basal activity with both gastric distension and oesophageal balloon distension were studied further. These responses were rapid and maintained only for the duration of the stimuli. 18/32 efferent fibres tested also showed changes in discharge in response to acid infused slowly into the distal oesophagus. These responses were larger after repeated acid infusions. Subsequent intra-oesophageal capsaicin elicited a similar response in 7/8 fibres. These responses were reproducible with repeated capsaicin infusions in 2/4 fibres and desensitized in 2/4 fibres. 2 capsaicin-responsive fibres were unresponsive to oesophageal acidification. 4/12 fibres tested responded to close intraarterial injections of capsaicin and 9/12 to close intraarterial bradykinin. These responses were brief and of short latency. Vagal efferent responses to mechanical and chemical stimuli above were unchanged after the NK-1 receptor antagonist CP96,345 (4 mg/kg i.v.). Subsequently, bilateral vagotomy caudal to the recording site abolished the basal activity in 4/7 fibres. In the 3 fibres where spontaneous activity remained, none of these responded to oesophageal distension or intra-oesophageal acid (2/2 fibres tested) after vagotomy, whereas 2/2 fibres tested still responded to gastric distension. The response of 1 fibre to intraarterial bradykinin and capsaicin was unchanged by vagotomy. We conclude that vagal efferent neurones respond to gastro-oesophageal mechanical inputs and also receive convergent input from oesophageal acid-sensitive and gastrointestinal bradykinin- and capsaicin-sensitive afferents. These afferent inputs are not mediated via NK-1 receptors. There also exists a nonvagal afferent input onto vagal efferent neurones which is probably spinal and likewise non NK-1 receptor mediated.

Biochemical and pharmacological activities of SR 144190, a new potent non-peptide tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist

(R)-3-(1-[2-(4-benzoyl-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-morpholin-2-yl)- ethyl]-4-phenylpiperidin-4-yl)-1-dimethylurea (SR 144190) is a new non-peptide antagonist of tachykinin NK2 receptors. SR 144190 potently and selectively inhibited neurokinin A binding to NK2 receptors from various species, including humans. In in vitro functional assays, it was a potent, selective and competitive antagonist of NK2 receptors with apparent affinities (pA2 values) between 9.08 and 10.10. In vivo, SR 144190 blocked [Nle10]neurokinin A-(4-10)-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs (ID50 = 21 micrograms kg-1 i.v. and 250 micrograms kg-1 i.d.) and [beta Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10)-induced urinary bladder contraction in rats (ID50 = 11 micrograms kg-1 i.v. and 190 micrograms kg-1 i.d.). It prevented citric acid-induced cough and airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine in guinea pigs (1 mg kg-1 i.p.) as well as castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats (0.01-10 micrograms kg-1 s.c. or p.o). Finally, it blocked the turning behaviour induced by intrastriatal injections of [Nle10]neurokinin A-(4-10) in mice (ID50 = 3 micrograms kg-1 i.v. and 16 micrograms kg-1 p.o.).

Characterization of long-term potentiation of C-fiber-evoked potentials in spinal dorsal horn of adult rat: essential role of NK1 and NK2 receptors

Impulses in afferent C fibers, e.g., during peripheral trauma, may induce plastic changes in the spinal dorsal horn that are believed to contribute to some forms of hyperalgesia. The nature of lasting changes in spinal nociception are still not well understood. Here we characterized the long-term potentiation (LTP) of spinal field potentials with a negative focus in superficial spinal dorsal horn evoked by supramaximal electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve in urethan-anesthetized adult rats. The field potentials studied in this work had high thresholds (>/=7 V, 0.5 ms), long latencies (90-130 ms), and long chronaxy (1.1 ms) and were not abolished by muscle relaxation and spinalization. Thus they were evoked by afferent C fibers. In response to 1-Hz stimulation of afferent C fibers, amplitudes of C-fiber-evoked field potentials remained constant, whereas number of action potentials of some dorsal horn neurons increased progressively (wind-up). In all 25 rats tested, high-frequency, high-intensity stimulation (100 Hz, 30-40 V, 0.5 ms, 400 pulses given in 4 trains of 1-s duration at 10-s intervals) always induced LTP (to approximately 200% of control), which consistently lasted until the end of recording periods (4-9 h). This tetanic stimulation also significantly decreased mean threshold of C-fiber-evoked field potentials. The C-fiber volley, which was recorded simultaneously in sural nerve, was, however, not affected by the same tetanic stimulation. High-frequency, low-intensity stimulation (100 Hz, 3 V, 0.5 ms) never induced LTP in six rats tested. At an intermediate frequency, high-intensity stimulation (20 Hz, 40 V, 0.5 ms, 400 pulses given in 4 trains of 5 s at 10-s intervals) induced LTP in four out of six rats, which lasted until end of recording periods (3-6 h). In the remaining two rats, no LTP was induced. Low-frequency, high-intensity stimulation (2 Hz, 30-40 V, 0.5 ms, 400 pulses) induced LTP that lasted for 2-8 h in four out of five rats. Intravenous application of neurokinin 1 (NK1) or neurokinin 2 (NK2) receptor antagonist RP 67580 (2 mg/kg, n = 5) or SR 48968 (0.3 mg/kg, n = 5) 30 min before high-frequency, high-intensity stimulation blocked the induction of LTP in all rats tested. In contrast, the same dose of their inactive enantiomers RP 68651 (n = 5) or SR 48965 (n = 5) did not affect the induction of LTP. Spinal superfusion with RP 67580 (1 microM) from 30 min before to 30 min after high-frequency, high-intensity stimulation blocked induction of LTP in all five rats tested. Spinal application of SR 48968 (10 nM) prevented LTP in five out of seven rats. However, when spinal superfusions with RP 67580 (1 microM, n = 3) or SR 48968 (10 nM, n = 3) were started 1 h after high-frequency, high-intensity stimulation, established LTP was not affected. Thus the activation of neurokinin receptors is necessary for the induction but not for the maintenance of LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials in spinal dorsal horn. This model may be useful to study plastic changes in spinal cord induced by peripheral C-fiber stimulation. The LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials may be a mechanism underlying some forms of hyperalgesia.

Spinal calmodulin inhibitors reduce N-methyl-D-aspartate- and septide-induced nociceptive behavior

The effect of two calmodulin inhibitors, W-7 (N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphtalenesulfonamide) and calmidazolium, on the nociceptive behavior induced by the intrathecal injection of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate), AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-iso xazolepropionic acid) or of septide is described. Lumbar intrathecal injection of NMDA, AMPA or septide induced a caudally directed nociceptive reaction (biting, scratching and licking). The nociceptive behavior induced by NMDA (4 microg) was dose dependently inhibited when W-7 (0.25-1 micromol/rat) or calmidazolium (0.12-0.5 micromol/rat) was coinjected. Biting, scratching and licking produced by AMPA (2 microg) were unaffected by intrathecal calmodulin inhibitors. Finally, septide-evoked nociceptive behavior (2 microg) was antagonized by W-7 (0.12-0.5 micromol/rat) and calmidazolium (0.06-0.25 micromol/rat). Thus, calmodulin inhibitors prevent the nociceptive reaction evoked by drugs that modify intracellular Ca2+, NMDA and septide, without affecting the nociceptive response induced by AMPA, for which Ca2+ is not the main second messenger.

Electrophysiological evidence that neurokinin A acts via NK-1 receptors in the cat dorsal horn

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the non-peptide NK-2 receptor antagonist, SR 48968 on the responses of dorsal horn neurons to iontophoretic application of the endogenous NK-2 receptor ligand, neurokinin A, and on synaptically elicited responses in chloralose-anaesthetized cats. The effect of iontophoretic application of neurokinin A was tested on 51 dorsal horn neurons. Of these, 43 were wide dynamic range and the rest non-nociceptive neurons. Neurokinin A induced a slow, prolonged excitation of 25 of the wide dynamic range neurons. All remaining neurons were unaffected. SR 48968 (50 microg to 1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) did not affect the on-going basal activity (n = 8) or the slow excitation induced by neurokinin A in any of the nine wide dynamic range neurons tested. To eliminate the possibility that systemically administered SR 48968 may not be reaching central sites, SR 48968 was also applied iontophoretically (70-120 nA) to five neurons and tested against excitatory responses to iontophoretically applied neurokinin A. The on-going activity of these cells were unaffected by SR 48968. The responses to neurokinin A were also unaffected suggesting that neurokinin A did not mediate its effects via NK-2 receptors. SR 48968 also had no effect on the excitatory responses of seven neurons to iontophoretic application of the NK-1 receptor agonist, substance P indicating that substance P actions are not mediated via NK-2 receptors and that SR 48968 did not react with NK-1 receptors. Responses of the neurons to non-noxious (hair) stimulation (n = 10), noxious mechanical (n = 5) and noxious thermal (n = 8) stimulation of the receptive field were also unaffected by SR 48968, suggesting a lack of participation of NK-2 receptors in these responses. However, responses of wide dynamic range neurons to neurokinin A were totally blocked by i.v. administration (0.5 mg/kg) of the NK-1 receptor antagonists CP-96,345 (n = 7) and CP-99,994 (n = 5) but not by CP-96,344 (n = 4), the inactive enantiomer of CP-96,345. These data suggest that neurokinin A, like substance P may be acting via NK-1, rather than NK-2 receptors, to produce excitation of wide dynamic range neurons in the dorsal horn of the cat spinal cord.

Renal effects of intrathecally injected tachykinins in the conscious saline-loaded rat: receptor and mechanism of action

1. The effects of intrathecally (i.t.) injected substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), [beta-Ala8]NKA (4-10) and [MePhe7]neurokinin B (NKB) at T13 thoracic spinal cord level were investigated on renal excretion of water, sodium and potassium in the conscious saline-loaded rat. Antagonists selective for NK1 (RP 67580), NK2 (SR 48968) and NK3 (R 820; 3-indolylcarbonyl-Hyp-Phg-N(Me)-Bzl) receptors were used to characterize the spinal effect of SP on renal function. 2. Saline gavage (4.5% of the body weight) enhanced renal excretion of water, sodium and potassium over the subsequent hour of measurement. Whereas these renal responses were not affected by 0.65 nmol SP, the dose of 6.5 nmol SP blocked the natriuretic response (aCSF value 3.9 +/- 0.8; SP value 0.7 +/- 0.3 micromol min(-1), P<0.01) as well as the renal excretion of water (aCSF value 48.9 +/- 5.8; SP value 14.5 +/- 4.0 microl min(-1), P<0.01) and potassium (aCSF value 4.8 +/- 0.6; SP value 1.5 +/- 0.6 micromol min(-1), P<0.01) at 30 min post-injection. SP had no significant effect on urinary osmolality. The SP-induced renal inhibitory effects during the first 30 min were abolished in rats subjected to bilateral renal denervation 1 week earlier or in rats injected i.t. 5 min earlier with 6.5 nmol RP 67580. In contrast, the co-injection of SR 48968 and R 820 (6.5 nmol each) did not affect the inhibitory responses to SP. On their own, these antagonists had no direct effect on renal excretion function. Since SP induced only transient changes in mean arterial blood pressure (-18.8 +/- 3.8 mmHg at 1 min and +6.3 +/- 2.4 mmHg at 5 min post-injection), it is unlikely that the renal effects of SP are due to systemic haemodynamic changes. 3. NKA (6.5 nmol but not 0.65 nmol) produced a transient drop in renal excretion of water (aCSF value 31.2 +/- 5.1; NKA value 11.3 +/- 4.2 microl min(-1), P<0.05), sodium (aCSF value 1.7 +/- 0.8; NKA value 0.4 +/- 0.2 micromol min(-1), P<0.05) and potassium (aCSF value 4.1 +/- 0.7; NKA value 1.5 +/- 0.4 micromol min(-1), P<0.05) at 15 min post-injection. However, the same doses (6.5 nmol) of selective agonists for tachykinin NK2 ([beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10)) and NK3 ([MePhe7]NKB) receptors were devoid of renal effects. 4. This study provided functional evidence that tachykinins may be involved in the renal control of water and electrolyte excretion at the level of the rat spinal cord through the activation of NK1 receptors and the sympathetic renal nerve.

Tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist RP67580 attenuates progressive hypersensitivity of flexor reflex during experimental inflammation in rats

We have now examined whether the tachykinin NK1 receptor is involved in mediating progressive hypersensitivity of spinal flexor motoneurons induced by repeated peripheral stimulation of inflamed tissue in decerebrate-spinal rats. The mechanical threshold of spinal flexor motoneurons was significantly decreased, and the touch- and pinch-evoked responses significantly increased, 48 h after intra-plantar injection of 100 microliters complete Freund's adjuvant. The threshold was further progressively decreased and the touch- and pinch-evoked responses increased over the 80 min testing period. Subcutaneous injection of the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist RP67580 (2-[1-imino-2-(2-methoxy phenyl) ethyl]-7,7 diphenyl-4 perhydroisoindolone-(3aR,7aR)) (20 min prior to the beginning of the test) at 1 mg and 10 mg/kg significantly attenuated the progressive decrease of mechanical withdrawal threshold, and the progressive increase of the touch- and pinch-evoked responses. The inactive enantiomer RP68651 (2-[1-imino-2-(2-methoxy phenyl) ethyl]-7,7 diphenyl-4 perhydroisoindolone-(3aS,7aS)) at 1 mg and 10 mg/kg had no significant effect. The present results indicate that substance P and its preferred tachykinin NK1 receptor are involved in mediating progressive hypersensitivity during inflammation.

Spinal NK2 receptors contribute to the increased excitability of the nociceptive flexor reflex during persistent peripheral inflammation

The role of endogenous neurokinin A in changes in the excitability of spinal neurons during adjuvant-induced, peripheral inflammation was examined by determining the effect of a selective NK2 receptor antagonist, GR103537, on the nociceptive flexor reflex in rats. Intrathecal administration of GR103537 (1.4-14 nmol) dose-dependently attenuated the increased activity of the flexor reflex ipsilateral to the inflamed paw. The activity of GR103537 at NK2 receptors was confirmed by blockade of the facilitation of the reflex by neurokinin A but not substance P in normal rats. These results indicate that endogenous neurokinin A increases the excitability of spinal neurons during persistent peripheral inflammation.

Differential roles of neurokinin 1 and neurokinin 2 receptors in the development and maintenance of heat hyperalgesia induced by acute inflammation

1. Following induction of acute inflammation by intraarticular injection of kaolin and carrageenan into the knee joint in rats, there was a significant decrease in the withdrawal latency to radiant heat applied to the paw (i.e. heat hyperalgesia), an increased joint circumference and increased joint temperature. 2. A neurokinin1 (NK1) receptor antagonist (CP-99,994, 10 mM) had no effect on the paw withdrawal latency when it was administered spinally through a microdialysis fibre before the induction of inflammation. Pretreatment with a NK2 receptor antagonist (SR48968, 1 mM) administered spinally through the microdialysis fibre prevented the heat hyperalgesia from developing in the early stages of the inflammation. 3. Post-treatment through the microdialysis fibre with the NK1 receptor antagonist (0.01-10 mM) was effective in reversing the heat hyperalgesia. In contrast, post-treatment spinally with the NK2 receptor antagonist (0.01-1 mM) had no effect on the heat hyperalgesia. The inactive stereoisomers of the NK1 receptor antagonist, CP100,263, or the NK2 receptor antagonist, SR48965, administered at the same doses, had no effect on the joint inflammation or the heat hyperalgesia. 4. Pretreatment systemically with the NK1 receptor antagonist (30 mg kg-1) had no effect on the heat hyperalgesia or pain-related behaviour ratings where 0 is none and 5 is non weight bearing and complete avoidance of limb contact. Pretreatment with a NK2 receptor antagonist (10 mg kg-1) systemically prevented the heat hyperalgesia and pain-related behaviour ratings from developing in the early stages of the inflammation. The inactive stereoisomers of NK1 receptor antagonist, CP100,263, or the NK2 receptor antagonist, SR48965, administered at the same doses, had no effect on the joint inflammation or the heat hyperalgesia. 5. Post-treatment systemically with either the NK1 (0.1-30 mg kg-1) or the NK2 (0.1-10 mg kg-1) receptor antagonist resulted in a dose-dependent reversal of the heat hyperalgesia. Pain-related behaviour ratings were reduced by post-treatment only with the NK1 receptor antagonist. The inactive stereoisomers of the NK1 receptor antagonist, CP100,263, or the NK2 receptor antagonist, SR48965, administered at the same doses, had no effect on the behavioural responses. 6. Direct pretreatment of the knee joint with either the NK1 (30 mg) or the NK2 (10 mg) receptor antagonist prevented the heat hyperalgesia from developing without affecting joint swelling. The inactive stereoisomers of the NK1 receptor antagonist, CP100,263, or the NK2 receptor antagonist, SR48965, administered at the same doses, had no effect on the joint inflammation or the heat hyperalgesia. 7. There appears to be a differential role for the spinal tachykinin receptors in the development and maintenance of the heat hyperalgesia associated with acute joint inflammation. The NK2 receptors appear to be activated early in the development of the heat hyperalgesia and NK1 receptors are involved in the maintenance of the heat hyperalgesia. 8. Peripherally, both NK1 and NK2 receptors are involved in the development of heat hyperalgesia and pain-related behaviour ratings induced by acute inflammation.

Effect of angiotensin II on a spinal nociceptive reflex in the rat: receptor and mechanism of action

The effect on thermonociceptive threshold of intrathecally (i.t.) administered angiotensin II (Ang II) was assessed in the rat tail-flick test. Rats were pretreated, 15 min earlier, with i.t. naloxone (opiate antagonist), losartan (Ang II selective antagonist at AT1 receptor) or [Sar1, Leu8] Ang II (non selective Ang II receptor antagonist) to define the mechanism of action and the nature of the receptor subtype. Ang II (0.65-6.5 nmol) induced antinociceptive effects that peaked at 1 min post-injection and returned to baseline after 5-10 min. Naloxone (10 microg) completely inhibited the response to 6.5 nmol Ang II. Losartan (65 pmol) and [Sar1, Leu8] Ang II (6.5 nmol) blocked the antinociception induced by Ang II but were inactive against [MePhe7]neurokinin B. Furthermore, losartan failed to affect the hyperalgesic responses induced by substance P (6.5 nmol) or [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A (6.5 nmol). This study provides the first functional evidence that Ang II inhibits the transmission of thermal nociceptive information through an endogenous opioid mechanism and the activation of an AT1 receptor in the rat spinal cord.

Spinal NK1 receptors contribute to the increased excitability of the nociceptive flexor reflex during persistent peripheral inflammation

Hyperalgesia is a characteristic of inflammation and is mediated, in part, by an increase in the excitability of spinal neurons. Although substance P does not appear to mediate fast synaptic events that underlie nociception in the spinal cord, it may contribute to the hyperalgesia and increased excitability of spinal neurons during inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant. We examined the role of endogenous substance P in changes in the excitability of spinal neurons during adjuvant-induced, peripheral inflammation by determining the effect of a selective NK1 receptor antagonist (RP67580) on the nociceptive flexor reflex in adult rats. Experiments were conducted 2 or 3 days after injection of adjuvant. Animals exhibited moderate thermal hyperalgesia at this time. The flexor reflex was evoked by electrical stimulation of the sural nerve and was recorded in the ipsilateral hamstring muscles. The flexor reflex ipsilateral to the inflamed hindpaw was enhanced approximately two-fold compared to the flexor reflex evoked in untreated animals as determined by the number of potentials and the duration of the reflex. The enhanced reflex in adjuvant-treated animals was most likely due to an increase in the excitability of spinal interneurons because short-latency activity in the hamstring muscles did not differ between untreated animals and adjuvant-treated animals following electrical stimulation of the L5 dorsal root or the nerve innervating the muscle with a stimulus that was 1.3-1.5 times the threshold for excitation of A-fibers. Intrathecal administration of RP67580 (2.3 and 6.8 nmol) attenuated the flexor reflex evoked in adjuvant-treated animals, but had no effect in untreated animals. Intravenous or intraplantar injection of RP67580 (6.8 nmol) did not affect the flexor reflex in adjuvant-treated animals indicating a spinal action of the drug following intrathecal administration. RP68651, the enantiomer of RP67580, was without effect at doses up to 6.8 nmol, indicating that the effects of comparable doses of RP67580 were due to an action of the drug at NK1 receptors. However, intrathecal administration of 23 nmol of both drugs attenuated the reflex in adjuvant-treated and control animals indicating that effects of RP67580 at this dose were not mediated entirely by its action at NK1 receptors. Overall, these data suggest that endogenous substance P has a role in the increased excitability of spinal interneurons observed during persistent inflammation and support the hypothesis that substance P released in the spinal cord contributes to the hyperalgesia that accompanies adjuvant-induced persistent, peripheral inflammation.

Progressive tactile hypersensitivity: an inflammation-induced incremental increase in the excitability of the spinal cord

Two established phenomena contribute to the generation of post-injury pain hypersensitivity: peripheral sensitization, an increase in transduction sensitivity of high threshold A delta and C-fibre nociceptors, and central sensitization, an increase in excitability of neurones in the spinal cord triggered exclusively by C-fibre inputs. We now describe a novel phenomenon: progressive tactile hypersensitivity, which contributes to a cumulative allodynia during inflammation. Behavioural measurements in conscious intact animals showed that repeated light touch stimuli delivered at 5-min intervals to an inflamed paw, established 48 h earlier by an intra-plantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), resulted in a progressive reduction in the mechanical withdrawal threshold by more than 75%, from its already hypersensitive basal level. This hypersensitive state persisted for several hours after discontinuing the touch stimuli and did not occur in non-inflamed animals. To monitor nociceptive processing and the afferent fibres responsible, we also measured activity in posterior biceps femoris/semitendinosus flexor motor neurones. In non-inflamed decerebrate-spinal rats, the cutaneous mechanical threshold and pinch-evoked activity of these neurones are stable when tested repeatedly at 5-min intervals and are characterised by absent or small responses to low intensity mechanical stimuli or electrical activation of A beta-fibres. In inflamed animals, the spontaneous activity, touch-, pinch- and A beta-afferent-evoked responses of hamstring flexor motor neurones are significantly increased. The flexor reflex becomes, moreover, progressively more sensitized by repetition every 5 min, of standard mechanical stimuli (touch and pinch), that do not modify excitability in control non-inflamed animals. A cumulative increase in A beta-afferent-evoked responses also occurs when the test stimulus only comprises stimulation of the sural nerve at A beta strength (10 Hz, 10 sec), showing that A beta-afferents have the capacity to produce progressive hypersensitivity. Progressive hypersensitivity, measured here as a progressive tactile allodynia after inflammation in either intact or decerebrate-spinal rats, with its gradual build-up and contribution from A beta fibres, is very different from the central sensitization induced by C-fibre stimulation which is characterised by a peak increase in excitability soon after the conditioning input followed by a steady decrement to baseline levels. Progressive hypersensitivity is likely to be the consequence of an alteration in the function and phenotype of afferents innervating inflamed tissue and the pattern of excitation they produce in spinal neurones. The phenomenon may have an important role in the development of inflammatory pain and hypersensitivity.

SR 48968 specifically depresses neurokinin A- vs. substance P-induced hyperalgesia in a nociceptive withdrawal reflex

To determine the role of neurokinin A and tachykinin NK2 receptors in processing of nociceptive information at the spinal level, the selective NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48968 (S)-N-methyl-N [4-(4-acetylamino-4-[phenyl piperidino)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-butyl] benzamide, was tested for its effects on the hyperalgesia produced in the tail flick reflex by intrathecal administration of neurokinin A and of substance P. SR 48968 was also tested in a model in which noxious peripheral stimulation has been shown to produce hyperalgesia via a substance P mechanism. SR 48968 given intrathecally had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on both the behaviour and the hyperalgesia induced by neurokinin A but not on either of these effects produced by substance P. In addition, systemic administration of SR 48968 depressed the hyperalgesic effect of intrathecal administration of neurokinin A. First, this evidence indicates a unique role for neurokinin A in the spinal cord as distinct from that of its homologue, substance P. and confirms that neurokinin A acts via the tachykinin NK2 receptor, rather than non-specifically via the NK1 receptor. Second, the data indicate that in this model substance P does not express any of its effects non-selectively via activation of NK2 receptors. Third, SR 48968 appears to have access to the spinal cord upon systemic administration. Fourth, intrathecal administration of the NK1 receptor antagonist, CP-96,345 [(2S,3S)-cis-2-(diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-methoxy-phenyl)-methyl]-1- azabicyclo [2.2.2]-octan-3-amine], had no effect on the responses to intrathecal administration of neurokinin A. Finally, the hyperalgesia produced by sustained noxious thermal stimulation of the tip of the tail was unaffected by intrathecal administration of SR 48968; thus, it remains to find a physiological response in which endogenous neurokinin A and NK2 receptors at the spinal level are involved in the rat in vivo.

Involvement of neurokinin receptors in the induction but not the maintenance of mechanical allodynia in rat flexor motoneurones

1. Intrathecal (i.t.) injections of the (tachykinin) NK1 receptor agonist, substance P methyl ester (SPME; 20 pmol), or the NK2 receptor agonist, neurokinin A (NKA; 20 pmol), substantially decreased the cutaneous mechanical threshold and markedly enhanced the touch-evoked response of posterior biceps femoris-semitendinosus (PBF-ST) spinal flexor motoneurones in decerebrate-spinal rats. This cutaneous mechanical reflex allodynia was prevented by pretreatment with the NK1 antagonist RP 67580 (2.28 nmol, i.t.) and the NK2 antagonist MEN 10376 (0.7 nmol, i.t.), respectively. 2. Electrical stimulation of the sural nerve at C fibre strength or cutaneous application of the irritant, mustard oil, produced prolonged cutaneous mechanical allodynia in PBF-ST motoneurones (15 min and > 1 h, respectively). Pretreatment with RP 67580 but not MEN 10376 prevented this, but when RP 67580 was administered 25 min after the application of mustard oil, the established hypersensitivity of the flexor motor reflex was not reversed. The enantiomer of RP 67580, RP 68651 was without effect. 3. Injection of bradykinin (60 microM, 80 microliters) into the gastrocnemius muscle increased the cutaneous mechanical hypersensitivity of PBF-ST flexor motoneurones for 40-50 min. MEN 10376, but not RP 67580, prevented this, but only when administered prior to the bradykinin injection. 4. These results suggest that the induction, but not the maintenance, of cutaneous mechanical allodynia in flexor motoneurones is NK receptor dependent, with cutaneous C fibre conditioning inputs acting via NK1 and muscle C fibre conditioning inputs via NK2 receptor subtypes.

Modulation of excitatory amino acid responses by tachykinins and selective tachykinin receptor agonists in the rat spinal cord

1. The effects of tachykinins and agonists selective for the three subtypes of neurokinin (NK) receptor have been tested on spinal neuronal responses both to the excitatory amino acids (EAAs) NMDA, AMPA and kainate, and to noxious heat stimuli. The agonists were applied by microiontophoresis in in vivo experiments in alpha-chloralose-anaesthetized, spinalized rats. 2. The NK1-selective agonist, GR 73632, enhanced responses to all three EAAs similarly, whilst the NK2-selective agonist, GR64349, reduced responses to AMPA and kainate without affecting those to NMDA, and the NK3 selective agonist, senktide, enhanced responses to AMPA and kainate. 3. The endogenous ligands substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) both enhanced responses to NMDA with little effect on responses to kainate, whereas neurokinin B (NKB) selectively enhanced responses to kainate without affecting those to NMDA. 4. The effects of GR73632 on EAA responses showed some differences between the dorsal and ventral horn, with more selectivity towards enhancement of NMDA responses in the ventral horn, but a smaller maximum effect. 5. Background activity was significantly enhanced by GR73632, GR64349, SP and NKA but not by senktide or NKB. GR73632 had the greatest effect on background firing, but this action was variable between cells and was related both to the location within the spinal cord and to the degree of spontaneous activity prior to GR73632 administration. 6. Responses to noxious heat were enhanced consistently only by NKA. 7. These data show that selective agonists for the tachykinin receptors are capable of modulating EAA responses differentially. SP, NKA and NKB appear to act via more than one receptor type when modulating EAA responses in vivo. This indicates that NK-EAA interactions can be more specific than suggested hitherto, with the combined actions at NKI and NK2 receptors biasing EAA responsiveness towards NMDA receptor mediated functions, whereas NK3 receptor activation would have the opposite effect. The physiological role of such interactions is likely to be complex.

Infusion of substance P or neurokinin A by microdialysis alters responses of primate spinothalamic tract neurons to cutaneous stimuli and to iontophoretically released excitatory amino acids

The responses of 25 spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons to mechanical and thermal stimulation of the skin, as well as to a battery of iontophoretically applied excitatory amino acids (EAAs), were tested before and then during microdialysis of substance P (SP) or neurokinin A (NKA) into the dorsal horn of anesthetized monkeys. Neither peptide had significant effects on the background activity or the responses to mechanical or thermal stimulation of the skin. However, each peptide produced significant increases in the responses to iontophoretic application of one or more EAAs. In addition, following combined application of the EAAs and either SP or NKA, the responses of the cells to mechanical stimulation of the skin increased. Combined application of SP and NKA failed to produce an increase in responses to either the EAAs or to cutaneous stimuli that was greater than that produced by either peptide alone. It is concluded that SP and NKA produce an increase in the responses of STT cells to iontophoretic applications of EAAs and the combined effects of these compounds produce sustained increases in responses to mechanical stimulation of the skin. These changes mimic those observed when STT cells are sensitized by peripheral noxious stimuli, suggesting that the mechanism of induction and expression of sensitization involves the facilitation of dorsal horn neuron responses to EAAs by tachykinins.

Antinociceptive profiles of non-peptidergic neurokinin1 and neurokinin2 receptor antagonists: a comparison to other classes of antinociceptive agent

This study compared the antinociceptive properties of systemic administration of selective, non-peptidergic antagonists at neurokinin (NK1 and NK2) receptors to those of other classes of antinociceptive agent. (All doses are in mg/kg.) In mice, the NK1 antagonist, CP 99,994, preferentially (inhibitory dose50 (ID50) = 4.4) inhibited the late phase (LP) as compared to the early phase (EP) (16.1) of formalin-induced licking (FIL). A high dose (17.6) elicited ataxia in the rotarod test. Acetic acid-induced writhing was reduced at intermediate doses (10.0) whereas the tail-flick (TF) response to thermal and mechanical stimuli was inhibited only at high doses (22.7 and 17.7, respectively). Modulation of stimulus intensity did not modify the influence of CP 99,994 upon the response to heat. A similar pattern of data was acquired with RP 67,580, although this NK1 antagonist more potently inhibited writhing (2.8). In contrast, RP 68,651, the inactive isomer of RP 67,580, neither reduced the LP of FIL nor modified writhing indicating that these actions of RP 67,580 were stereospecific. Three further NK1 antagonists, SR 140,333, WIN 51,708 and WIN 62,577, likewise inhibited the LP of FIL and failed to modify the TF response at non-ataxic doses. Further, SR 140,333 (0.5) and WIN 51,708 (1.4) were potent ligands in the writhing procedure. The NK2 antagonist, SR 48,966, mimicked NK1 antagonists in preferentially inhibiting the LP (7.7) as compared to the EP (26.9) of FIL. Further, only at doses higher than those evoking ataxia (20.9) did SR 48,968 modify the TF response (36.5 and 32.0 for heat and pressure, respectively). However, it differed to NK1 antagonists in being inactive in the writhing test (> 40.0). In comparison to these NK1 and NK2 antagonists, the mu-opioid agonists (morphine and fentanyl) and kappa-opioid agonists (enadoline and U 69,593) equipotently inhibited all nociceptive responses at doses not provoking ataxia. While the glycine B receptor partial agonist, (+)-HA 966, selectively blocked the LP of FIL and did not evoke ataxia, the NMDA receptor channel blocker, (+)-MK 801, elicited antinociception only at doses close to those provoking ataxia. Finally, the NSAIDs, indomethacin and ibuprofen, the BK2 antagonist, Hoe 140 and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, L-NAME and 7 nitroindazole, inhibited the LP (but not the EP) of FIL and (except for L-NAME) also reduced writhing: in contrast, they did not evoke ataxia and were inactive in the TF procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

An investigation into the mechanism of capsaicin-induced oedema in rabbit skin

1. Oedema formation induced by intradermal capsaicin has been studied in rabbit skin. The effect of the anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone and also of a range of known inhibitors of oedema formation have been investigated in order to elucidate mechanisms involved in capsaicin-induced oedema formation. 2. Oedema formation, in response to intradermally-injected test agents, was measured by the local extravascular accumulation of intravenously injected 125I-labelled albumin. In separate experiments skin blood flow was assessed by the clearance of intradermally-injected 133xenon. 3. Oedema formation induced by intradermal histamine (3 nmol) and bradykinin (1 nmol), when in the presence of vasodilator doses of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (3 pmol) or prostaglandin E1, (PGE1) (10 pmol), was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01) in rabbits pretreated with intravenous dexamethasone (3 mg kg-1, -4 h). In contrast dexamethasone had no effect on capsaicin (3 mumol)-induced oedema formation or, on capsaicin (30-100 nmol)-induced blood flow. 4. Oedema formation observed in response to intradermal capsaicin (3 mumol) was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01) when the selective capsaicin antagonist, ruthenium red (3 nmol) was co-injected. This suggests that the mechanism of capsaicin-induced oedema involves activation of sensory nerves. However, oedema was not inhibited when capsaicin was co-injected with the neurokinin NK1 receptor antagonist, RP67580 (10 nmol), the NK2 antagonist SR48960 (10 nmol) or the CGRP antagonist CGRP8-37 (300 pmol). 5. Oedema formation induced by capsaicin was not inhibited when co-injected with the histamine HI receptor antagonist, mepyramine (3 nmol), the PAF antagonist, WEB 2086 (100 nmol), the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, Hoel4O (1 nmol), or the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 nmol),suggesting that these mediators do not play a major role in the capsaicin-induced response.6. Histological analysis of capsaicin-treated skin sites revealed undamaged, intact microvessels and lack of haemorrhage. Further, co-injection of capsaicin with the hydrogen peroxide remover, catalase(2,200 u), had no effect on oedema formation. This suggests that capsaicin does not induce oedema formation secondary to free radical-induced damage.7. These results indicate that capsaicin-induced oedema in rabbit skin involves activation of sensory nerves. However, the oedema is not inhibited by pretreatment with the anti-inflammatory steroid,dexamethasone. Further the mechanisms which lead to the oedema formation observed after intradermal capsaicin remain unknown.

Tachykinin receptors in the spinal cord

In summary, all three tachykinin receptors appear to be important modulators of physiological systems in the spinal cord. However, although there is a good deal of data concerning binding characteristics in peripheral tissues, work done in the spinal cord is scanty, leading to a number of unanswered questions. Firstly, Lui et al. (1993) have suggested a discrepancy between the location of SP binding sites and SP containing terminals. This might explain the conflicting evidence on the role of NK1 receptors in the dorsal horn. Furthermore, evidence that NK2 receptors are involved in nociception is increasing, however binding sites for these receptors in the spinal cord have not been demonstrated. This appears to be due to the difficulty in locating an ideal receptor specific ligand. The role of NK2 receptors in autonomic function is also unclear, perhaps for the same reason. Finally, there is evidence indicating that NK3 binding sites are increased following transection of the LIV-VI dorsal roots, however, studies on the effects of inflammation have not been done, as they have with the NK1 and NK2 receptors. All of these and many more unanswered questions require further investigation.

Involvement of spinal tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptors in detrusor hyperreflexia during chemical cystitis in anaesthetized rats

The intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg, 48 h before cystometry) induced detrusor hyperreflexia in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Intrathecal administration of the selective tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, GR 82,334 ([D-Pro9(spiro-gamma-lactam)Leu10,Trp11]physalaemin-(1-11)) (1 nmol/rat i.t.) had no significant effect on micturition in normal rats but increased the volume threshold In cyclophosphamide-treated rats. Another tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, RP 67,580 ((3aR,7aR)-7,7-diphenyl-2-[1-imino-2(2-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]+ ++perhydroisoindol -4-one) (10 nmol/rat i.t.) increased the volume threshold to a similar extent in both vehicle- and cyclophosphamide-treated animals. The tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist, SR 48,968 (S7-N-methyl-N[4-(acetylamino-4-phenylpiperidino)-2-(3,4- dichlorophenyl)butyl]benzamide hydrochloride (10 nmol/rat i.t.) did not modify micturition parameters in normal rats but antagonized bladder hyperreflexia in cyclophosphamide-treated animals; SR 48,968 restored the volume threshold for the micturition reflex to values close to control values. SR 48,965 (R7-N-methyl-N[4-(acetylamino-4-phenylpiperidino)-2-(3,4- dichlorophenyl)butyl]benzamide hydrochloride) (10 nmol/rat i.t.), the enantiomer of SR 48,968 devoid of affinity for tachykinin NK2 receptors, was inactive. 2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (25 and 250 nmol/rat i.t.), a selective antagonist of NMDA receptors, augmented the volume threshold both in controls and in rats with detrusor hyperreflexia; after administration of this antagonist, however, the volume threshold in cyclophosphamide-treated animals was still lower than in controls. Intravenous administration of SR 48,968, RP 67,580, or the combined administration of SR 48,968 and RP 67,580 had no effect on cystometry variables either in rats with detrusor hyperreflexia or in controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Involvement of neurokinin 1 and 2 receptors in viscerosensitive response to rectal distension in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Tachykinins participate in somatic pain and intestinal motility control. The role of tachykinin receptors in both colonic motor disturbances and visceral pain (abdominal contractions as an index of visceral pain) induced by rectal distension were investigated.

METHODS

Rats were surgically prepared with electrodes implanted on the proximal colon and the abdominal striated muscles. Catheters were implanted in lateral ventricles of the brain. Rectal distension was performed by inflation of a balloon (0.1-1.6 mL) rectally inserted. CP-96,345 and RP-67,580 (neurokinin [NK] 1 antagonists) and SR-48,968 (NK2 antagonist) were injected intraperitoneally (IP) or intracerebroventricularly (ICV) 20 minutes before distension. GR-73,632 and GR-64,639 (NK1, NK2 agonists) were infused intravenously at 0.15 micrograms.kg-1.min-1.

RESULTS

Rectal distension evoked a significant inhibition of colonic motility and an increase in abdominal contractions. CP-96,345 injected ICV (0.2-0.8 mg/kg) or IP (5-10 mg/kg) and RP-67,580 (0.2 mg/kg IP) eliminated distension-induced colonic inhibition but did not affect abdominal response. SR-48,968 did not affect colonic response but significantly reduced visceral pain (0.4, 0.8 mg/kg ICV: 5-10 mg/kg IP). GR-73,632 enhanced the rectal distension-induced colonic inhibition, whereas GR-64,349 induced a greater abdominal response.

CONCLUSIONS

NK1 receptors mediate the rectocolonic inhibitory reflex, whereas NK2 receptors participate in visceral pain; both responses involve central structures.

Physiological and pharmacological characterization of the spinal tachykinin NK2 receptor

The goal of these investigations was to study the role of tachykinin NK2 receptors in neonatal spinal cords using the selective NK2 receptor agonist [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) and the new NK2 receptor antagonist GR 94800. Experiments were performed with superfused hemisected rat and gerbil spinal cords. Dorsal roots were electrically stimulated and the synaptically elicited responses and the DC-potentials were recorded extracellularly from the corresponding ventral roots. [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) depolarized ventral roots (0.01-10 microM) and increased their spontaneous activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These effects of [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) were reduced by GR 94800. The action of GR 94800 was selective because the depolarizing effects of similar magnitude evoked by the NK1 receptor agonist [Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P were not affected by GR 94800. The pA2 values of GR 94800 amounted to 6.0 +/- 0.4 in the rat and 5.4 +/- 0.3 in the gerbil. The NK2 receptor agonist was more potent in the rat than in the gerbil. The estimated EC50 (mean +/- S.E.M.) was found to be 3.9 + 6.0/-1.3 microM in the rat and 2.4 + 2.9/-1.3 microM in the gerbil spinal cord. The NK2 receptor agonist [beta-Ala8]neurokinin A-(4-10) potentiated the monosynaptic reflex evoked by dorsal root stimulation. The potentiation manifested itself as an increase in the amplitude of the early component of the response. The receptor type mediating this effect could not be elucidated. The potentiation ranged between 30 +/- 27 and 110 +/- 36% (0.3 and 10 microM), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular and behavioural effects of centrally administered tachykinins in the rat: characterization of receptors with selective antagonists

1. The effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of selective and potent NK1 (RP 67580), NK2 (SR 48968) and NK3 (R 486, [Trp7, beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10)) receptor antagonists were assessed on the cardiovascular and behavioural responses elicited by the i.c.v. injection of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) or [MePhe7]neurokinin B ([MePhe7]NKB) in the conscious freely moving rat. 2. SP, NKA and [MePhe7]NKB (5-650 pmol) evoked dose-dependent increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) with the rank order of potency SP > NKA > [MePhe7]NKB. The cardiovascular responses were accompanied by excessive face washing, grooming and wet dog shakes. 3. The cardiovascular effects and face washing behaviour induced by SP (25 pmol) were significantly reduced by the pre-injection (i.c.v., 5 min earlier) of RP 67580 (6.5 nmol). However, this antagonist failed to affect the central effects of 25 pmol NKA or [MePhe7]NKB. 4. The cardiovascular and behavioural responses (except for wet dog shakes) elicited by NKA (25 pmol) were significantly reduced by 6.5 nmol SR 48968. However, the latter antagonist had no effect on the SP or [MePhe7]NKB-mediated responses. 5. Both cardiovascular and behavioural effects produced by either SP or NKA (25 pmol) were completely abolished when rats were pretreated with a combination of RP 67580 (6.5 nmol) and SR 48968 (6.5 nmol), yet this combination of antagonists failed to modify the central effects of [MePhe7]NKB. 6. R 486 (6.5 nmol) inhibited the cardiovascular effects as well as wet dog shakes produced by [MePhe7]NKB, but it was inactive against the responses induced by either SP or NKA. 7. None of the tachykinin receptor antagonists or agonists caused motor impairment or respiratory distress. All antagonists blocked in a reversible manner and were devoid of intrinsic activity except R486 (6.5 nmol) which produced a transient increase of MAP and HR.8. These results suggest that the central effects of SP, NKA and [MePhe7]NKB are primarily mediated by central NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively. However, a minor activation of NK2 receptors bySP and NK1 receptors by NKA was seen during blockade of both receptors. This study therefore supports the existence of functional NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors in the adult rat brain.

Differential effects of selective tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists in rat spinal cord

The effects of intrathecally (i.t.) injected selective tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists, MEN 10,207, MEN 10,376 and R396, on the spinal effect of neurokinin A were studied in decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats. I.t. neurokinin A (7 pmol) briefly facilitated the flexor reflex, an effect that was dose dependently inhibited by pretreatment with MEN 10,207 and MEN 10,376 with similar and high potency. I.t. R396 itself caused strong facilitation of the flexor reflect. At lower doses, the effect of i.t. neurokinin A was potentiated by R396. R396 only exhibited moderate antagonism of neurokinin A-induced reflex facilitation even at very high doses. It has been proposed that the tachykinin NK2 receptor may be further classified into two subtypes, NK2A and NK2B, with MEN 10,207 and MEN 10,376 having high affinity for the former and R396 for the latter. Our results suggested that the tachykinin NK2 receptor in rat spinal cord which mediates the excitatory effect of neurokinin A may belong to the NK2A subpopulation of receptors.