Aspartate-like immunoreactivity in primary afferent neurons

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Preemptive Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin and Gabapentin for Succinylcholine-Induced Myalgia

Background

Succinylcholine is a drug of choice for rapid induction of anesthesia but produces postoperative myalgia. Preemptive analgesia is intended to decrease perception of pain before exposure to painful stimuli. Pregabalin and gabapentin, analogs of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid, are effective in several models of neuropathic pain, incisional, inflammatory, and formalin-induced injury. However, the data available on their preemptive analgesic efficacy in succinylcholine myalgia are sparse. This study was designed to compare the preemptive analgesic efficacy and safety of pregabalin and gabapentin.

Materials and Methods

This randomized clinical trial included 120 surgical patients of either sex, between 18 and 70 years, and of American Society of Anesthesiologists-I/II grade. Patients were randomly allocated to control and test groups; received respective treatments 30 min before induction of anesthesia. Myalgia and pain scores were recorded using the myalgia scale and visual analog/facial rating scale at awakening at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h, respectively. Postoperative analgesic requirement over 24 h was recorded. Data were analyzed using OpenEpi (Andrew G. Dean and Kevin M. Sullivan, Atlanta, GA, USA) statistical softwares.

Results

Significantly lower pain scores were observed in the pregabalin group at 6, 12, and 24 h, and in gabapentin group at 24 h as compared to control and placebo (P < 0.05). They were however found to be equianalgesic when compared to each other (P > 0.05). Pregabalin-treated patients were more comfortable throughout with significantly less postoperative myalgia and analgesic requirement (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Results strongly suggest the preemptive analgesic efficacy of a single oral dose of pregabalin and gabapentin over diclofenac in postoperative myalgia and pain management. However, on the basis of safety profile, pregabalin may be preferred over gabapentin in succinylcholine-induced myalgia.

Expression of vesicular glutamate transporters in transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8)-positive dental afferents in the mouse

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is activated by innocuous cool and noxious cold and plays a crucial role in cold-induced acute pain and pain hypersensitivity. To help understand the mechanism of TRPM8-mediated cold perception under normal and pathologic conditions, we used light microscopic immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis in mice expressing a genetically encoded axonal tracer in TRPM8-positive (+) neurons. We investigated the coexpression of TRPM8 and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) and VGLUT2 in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and the dental pulp before and after inducing pulpal inflammation. Many TRPM8+ neurons in the TG and axons in the dental pulp expressed VGLUT2, while none expressed VGLUT1. TRPM8+ axons were dense in the pulp horn and peripheral pulp and also frequently observed in the dentinal tubules. Following pulpal inflammation, the proportion of VGLUT2+ and of VGLUT2+/TRPM8+ neurons increased significantly, whereas that of TRPM8+ neurons remained unchanged. Our findings suggest the existence of VGLUT2 (but not VGLUT1)-mediated glutamate signaling in TRPM8+ neurons possibly underlying the cold-induced acute pain and hypersensitivity to cold following pulpal inflammation.

Inflammatory sensitization of nociceptors depends on activation of NMDA receptors in DRG satellite cells

The present study evaluated the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) expressed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the inflammatory sensitization of peripheral nociceptor terminals to mechanical stimulation. Injection of NMDA into the fifth lumbar (L5)-DRG induced hyperalgesia in the rat hind paw with a profile similar to that of intraplantar injection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which was significantly attenuated by injection of the NMDAR antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP-5) in the L5-DRG. Moreover, blockade of DRG AMPA receptors by the antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione had no effect in the PGE2-induced hyperalgesia in the paw, showing specific involvement of NMDARs in this modulatory effect and suggesting that activation of NMDAR in the DRG plays an important role in the peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia. In following experiments we observed attenuation of PGE2-induced hyperalgesia in the paw by the knockdown of NMDAR subunits NR1, NR2B, NR2D, and NR3A with antisense-oligodeoxynucleotide treatment in the DRG. Also, in vitro experiments showed that the NMDA-induced sensitization of cultured DRG neurons depends on satellite cell activation and on those same NMDAR subunits, suggesting their importance for the PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. In addition, fluorescent calcium imaging experiments in cultures of DRG cells showed induction of calcium transients by glutamate or NMDA only in satellite cells, but not in neurons. Together, the present results suggest that the mechanical inflammatory nociceptor sensitization is dependent on glutamate release at the DRG and subsequent NMDAR activation in satellite glial cells, supporting the idea that the peripheral hyperalgesia is an event modulated by a glutamatergic system in the DRG.

Differential release of neurotransmitters from superficial and deep layers of the dorsal horn in response to acute noxious stimulation and inflammation of the rat paw

Experimental evidence suggests that release of neurotransmitters in response to acute noxious stimulation and inflammation can differ in superficial and deeper dorsal horn (DH) laminae. Using two different microdialysis probes, we studied changes in levels of glutamate, aspartate, arginine and GABA in dialysates collected from the surface of the spinal cord and within the DH induced by pinching the paw or paw inflammation. In penthotal anaesthetized rats, a flexible microdialysis probe was placed on the dorsal surface of the L4-L5 or L6-S2 spinal segments. In other rats, a rigid microdialysis probe was implanted within the DH of the same segments. Samples were collected every minute before, during and after pinching the hind paw (acute pain), and every half an hour after injecting either carrageenan or saline into the same paw (inflammation-induced pain). Amino acids were measured by capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CZE-LIFD). Pinching the paw induced a significant but short lasting increase in extracellular glutamate and aspartate in dialysates from the surface of the DH. Carrageenan, but not saline, injected into the paw significantly increased concentrations of glutamate, aspartate and arginine both on the surface and within the DH of L4-L5 and also within the DH of the L6-S2 segments. The GABA level was significantly increased following carrageenan only within the DH. The maximum increase on the surface was detected 60-120 min after the onset of inflammation whereas the response within the DH reached a maximum between 150 and 180 min after carrageenan. These results indicate that unlike acute mechanical noxious stimulation which enhances amino acid neurotransmitters in surface dialysate, inflammation induced neurotransmitter release in all layers of the DH suggesting sensitization of the DH.

Non-peptidergic small diameter primary afferents expressing VGluT2 project to lamina I of mouse spinal dorsal horn

BACKGROUND

Unmyelinated primary afferent nociceptors are commonly classified into two main functional types: those expressing neuropeptides, and non-peptidergic fibers that bind the lectin IB4. However, many small diameter primary afferent neurons neither contain any known neuropeptides nor bind IB4. Most express high levels of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2) and are assumed to be glutamatergic nociceptors but their terminations within the spinal cord are unknown. We used in vitro anterograde axonal tracing with Neurobiotin to identify the central projections of these putative glutamatergic nociceptors. We also quantitatively characterised the spatial arrangement of these terminals with respect to those that expressed the neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

RESULTS

Neurobiotin-labeled VGluT2-immunoreactive (IR) terminals were restricted to lamina I, with a medial-to-lateral distribution similar to CGRP-IR terminals. Most VGluT2-IR terminals in lateral lamina I were not labeled by Neurobiotin implying that they arose mainly from central neurons. 38 ± 4% of Neurobiotin-labeled VGluT2-IR terminals contained CGRP-IR. Conversely, only 17 ± 4% of Neurobiotin-labeled CGRP-IR terminals expressed detectable VGluT2-IR. Neurobiotin-labeled VGluT2-IR or CGRP-IR terminals often aggregated into small clusters or microdomains partially surrounding intrinsic lamina I neurons.

CONCLUSIONS

The central terminals of primary afferents which express high levels of VGluT2-IR but not CGRP-IR terminate mainly in lamina I. The spatial arrangement of VGluT2-IR and CGRP-IR terminals suggest that lamina I neurons receive convergent inputs from presumptive nociceptors that are primarily glutamatergic or peptidergic. This reveals a previously unrecognized level of organization in lamina I consistent with the presence of multiple nociceptive processing pathways.

Differential expression of synaptoporin and synaptophysin in primary sensory neurons and up-regulation of synaptoporin after peripheral nerve injury

Synaptoporin and synaptophysin are integral membrane components of synaptic vesicles. The distribution of synaptoporin and its relationship with synaptophysin in sensory afferent fibers remain unclear. In the present study, we showed that in the rat dorsal root ganglia synaptoporin was expressed in subsets of small neurons that contain either calcitonin gene-related peptide or isolectin B4, and was distributed in their afferent terminals in laminae I-II of the spinal cord. Synaptophysin was expressed in 57% of synaptoporin-containing small dorsal root ganglion neurons and in large dorsal root ganglion neurons. In the spinal dorsal horn, synaptophysin-immunolabeling was weak in the afferent fibers in lamina I, outer lamina II and the dorsal part of inner lamina II, but strong in the afferent fibers in laminae III-IV. However, a subpopulation of isolectin B4-positive small dorsal root ganglion neurons expressed both synaptoporin and synaptophysin, and their afferent fibers were mainly distributed in the ventral part of inner lamina II. After peripheral nerve injury, synaptoporin expression was up-regulated in small dorsal root ganglion neurons, and synaptoporin level was increased in their afferent terminals. Thus, synaptoporin and synaptophysin have topographically distinct distributions in afferent fibers. Synaptoporin is a major synaptic vesicle protein in Adelta- and C-fibers in both physiological and neuropathic pain states.

The comparative evaluation of gabapentin and carbamazepine for pain management in Guillain-Barré syndrome patients in the intensive care unit

We evaluated the effects of gabapentin and carbamazepine for pain relief in 36 Guillain-Barré syndrome patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive gabapentin 300 mg, carbamazepine 100 mg, or matching placebo 3 times a day for 7 days. Fentanyl 2 microg/kg was used as a supplementary analgesic on patient demand. The pain score was recorded by using a numeric pain rating scale of 0-10, and sedation was recorded with a Ramsay sedation scale of 1-6 before medications were given and then at 6-h intervals throughout the study period. Total daily fentanyl consumption was recorded each day for each patient. The results of the study demonstrated that patients in the gabapentin group had significantly lower (P < 0.05) median numeric pain rating scale scores (3.5, 2.5, 2.0, 2.0, 2.0, 2.0, and 2.0) compared with patients in the placebo group (6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, and 6.0) and the carbamazepine group (6.0, 6.0, 5.0, 4.0, 4.0, 3.5, and 3.0). There was no significant difference in fentanyl consumption between the gabapentin and carbamazepine groups on Day 1 (340.1 +/- 34.3 microg and 347.5 +/- 38.0 microg, respectively), but consumption was significantly less in these 2 groups compared with the placebo group (590.4 +/- 35.0 microg) (P < 0.05). For the rest of the study period, there was a significant difference in fentanyl consumption among all treatment groups, and it was minimal in the gabapentin group (P < 0.05). We conclude that gabapentin is more effective than carbamazepine for decreasing pain and fentanyl consumption.

Increased concentrations of neuro-excitatory amino acids in rat anterior cruciate ligament-transected knee joint dialysates: a microdialysis study

Changes in excitatory amino acid (EAA) levels were examined in the knee joint dialysates of rats with early osteoarthritis (OA). Early OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection in one knee and the contralateral knee was used as the sham-operated control, the side for ACL transection being assigned randomly. Twenty weeks after operation, knee joint dialysates were collected by microdialysis and assayed for EAAs by high performance liquid chromatography. The rats were then sacrificed for histopathological examination. Hematoxylin/eosin and Safranin-O staining showed cartilage fibrillation, clustering of chondrocytes, and a reduction in matrix proteoglycans at week 20 in the ACL-transected knee, but not in the sham-operated knee. Levels of glutamate and aspartate in dialysates from the ACL-transected knee were significantly increased by 92 +/- 20.3% or 57 +/- 17.5%, respectively, compared to those in the contralateral sham-operated knee. This increase may contribute to the pathogenesis of early OA.

Vesicular glutamate transporters in the spinal cord, with special reference to sensory primary afferent synapses

Spinal cord sensory synapses are glutamatergic, but previous studies have found a great diversity in synaptic vesicle structure and have suggested additional neurotransmitters. The identification of several vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) similarly revealed an unexpected molecular diversity among glutamate-containing terminals. Therefore, we quantitatively investigated VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 content in the central synapses of spinal sensory afferents by using confocal and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry. VGLUT1 localization (most abundant in LIII/LIV and medial LV) is consistent with an origin from cutaneous and muscle mechanoreceptors. Accordingly, most VGLUT1 immunoreactivity disappeared after rhizotomy and colocalized with markers of cutaneous (SSEA4) and muscle (parvalbumin) mechanoreceptors. With postembedding colloidal gold, intense VGLUT1 immunoreactivity was found in 88-95% (depending on the antibody used) of C(II) dorsal horn glomerular terminals and in large ventral horn synapses receiving axoaxonic contacts. VGLUT1 partially colocalized with CGRP in some large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs). However, immunostaining in neuropeptidergic afferents was inconsistent between VGLUT1 antibodies and rather weak with light microscopy. VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was widespread in all spinal cord laminae, with higher intensities in LII and lateral LV, complementing VGLUT1 distribution. VGLUT2 immunoreactivity did not change after rhizotomy, suggesting a preferential intrinsic origin. However, weak VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was detectable in primary sensory nociceptors expressing lectin (GSA-IB4) binding and in 83-90% of C(I) glomerular terminals in LII. Additional weak VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was found over the small clear vesicles of LDCV-containing afferents and in 50-60% of C(II) terminals in LIII. These results indicate a diversity of VGLUT isoform combinations expressed in different spinal primary afferents.

Increasing of intrathecal CSF excitatory amino acids concentration following morphine challenge in morphine-tolerant rats

Excitatory amino acids (EAAs) are involved in the development of opioid tolerance. The present study reveals that an increasing of CSF EAAs concentration might be responsible for the losing of morphine's antinociceptive effect in morphine tolerant rats. Male Wistar rats were implanted with two intrathecal (i.t.) catheters and one microdialysis probe, then continuously infused i.t. for 5 days with saline (1 microl/h; control group), morphine (15 micrograms/h), the NMDA antagonist, MK-801 (5 micrograms/h), or morphine (15 micrograms/h) plus MK-801 (5 micrograms/h). Each day, tail-flick responses were measured; in addition, CSF dialysates were collected and CSF amino acids measured by high performance liquid chromatography using a fluorescence detector. Morphine started to lose its analgesic effect on day 2 and this effect was overcome by MK-801. The AD(50) (AD: analgesic dose) was 1.33 micrograms in control animals, 83.83 micrograms in morphine-tolerant rats (a 63-fold shift), and 11.2 micrograms (a 8.4-fold shift) in rats that had received MK-801 plus morphine. No significant differences were observed in CSF amino acid release between the groups from day 1 to day 5. On day 5, after basal dialysate collection, a 10-micrograms challenge of morphine was administered i.t., and CSF samples collected over the next 3 h. After morphine challenge, morphine-tolerant rats showed a significant increase in the release of glutamate and aspartate (131+/-9.5% and 156+/-12% of basal levels, respectively), and no antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick latency test, while MK-801/morphine co-infused rats showed no increase in morphine-induced EAA release and a partial antinociceptive effect (MPE=40%). The present study provides direct evidence for a relationship between EAA release and a lack of an antinociceptive response to morphine, and shows that the NMDA antagonist, MK-801, attenuates both of these effects.

Amino acid neurotransmitters: separation approaches and diagnostic value

Amino acids in the central nervous system can be divided into non-neurotransmitter or neurotransmitter depending on their function. The measurement of these small molecules in brain tissue and extracellular fluid has been used to develop effective treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases and for the diagnosis of such pathologies. Here we describe the separation and detection techniques that have been used for the measurement of amino acids at trace levels in brain tissue and dialysates. An overview of the function of amino acid transmitters in the brain is given. In addition, the type of sampling techniques that are used for the determination of amino acid levels in the brain is described.

Loss of intrathecal morphine analgesia in terminal cancer patients is associated with high levels of excitatory amino acids in the CSF

PURPOSE

To examine excitatory amino acid (EAA) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients on long-term morphine treatment for terminal cancer pain relief and to correlate these with morphine's analgesic effect.

METHODS

Fourteen terminal cancer patients suffering severe pain and requiring long-term opioid treatment for pain relief were included. An intrathecal (IT) catheter was implanted at the L(3-4)/L(4-5) level and advanced 10 cm in a cephalad direction. IT morphine injection was started at 100 microgram q 12 hr with a daily incremental dose of 50 microgram until the effective dose was reached. The CSF was sampled (2 mL) as follows: 1) before the first IT morphine injection, 2) when the effective dose of morphine was reached, 3) when loss of morphine's analgesic effect at the effective dose (pain visual analogue scale > 5), and 4) after consecutive increases of the morphine dose (50 microgram, IT, daily) for satisfactory pain relief and up to double the effective dose. The concentrations of glutamate and aspartate in the CSF were determined.

RESULTS

CSF levels of glutamate and aspartate at the effective dose of morphine were lower than the baseline levels and increased when pain intensity increased and when morphine's analgesic effect was lost.

CONCLUSION

Long-term IT morphine administration was accompanied by an increase of EAA level in the CSF that was associated with a loss of morphine's analgesic effect.

Quantitative analysis of immunogold labeling indicates low levels and non-vesicular localization of L-aspartate in rat primary afferent terminals

The role of L-aspartate as an excitatory neurotransmitter in primary afferent synapses in the spinal cord dorsal horn is disputed. To further investigate this issue, we examined the presence of aspartate-like immunoreactivity in primary afferent nerve terminals and other tissue components of the dorsal horn. We also examined the relationship between aspartate and glutamate immunogold labeling density and the density of synaptic vesicles in primary afferent terminals and presumed inhibitory terminals forming symmetric synapses. Weak aspartate immunosignals, similar to or lower than those displayed by presumed inhibitory terminals, were detected in both C-fiber primary afferent terminals in lamina II (dense sinusoid axon terminals, identified by morphological criteria) and in A-fiber primary afferent terminals in laminae III-IV (identified with anterograde transport of choleragenoid-horseradish peroxidase conjugate). The aspartate immunogold signal in primary afferent terminals was only about one-fourth of that in deep dorsal horn neuronal cell bodies. Further, whereas significant positive correlations were evident between synaptic vesicle density and glutamate immunogold labeling density in both A- and C-fiber primary afferent terminals, none of the examined terminal populations displayed a significant correlation between synaptic vesicle density and aspartate immunogold labeling density. Thus, our results indicate relatively low levels and a non-vesicular localization of aspartate in primary afferent terminals. It is therefore suggested that aspartate, rather than being a primary afferent neurotransmitter, serves a role in the intermediary metabolism in primary afferent terminals.

Zinc in the extracellular area of the central nervous system is necessary for the development of kainic acid-induced persistent hyperalgesia in mice

Kainic acid produces a persistent hyperalgesia when injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) in the rat or mouse. At higher doses than those needed to influence nociception, kainic acid induces seizures and translocation of histologically reactive zinc in the hippocampus. We tested the hypothesis that zinc, localized in a population of small diameter primary afferent neurons, plays a role in kainic acid-induced hyperalgesia similar to that in the hippocampus where zinc translocation accompanies kainic acid-induced seizures. The importance of zinc in the extracellular area was assessed by the influence of compounds that chelate divalent cations (disodium calcium ethylene diaminetetraacetate (CaEDTA)) or zinc (dipicolinic acid (DPA)) on kainic acid-induced hyperalgesia. When measured using the tail flick assay, thermal hyperalgesia was blocked by pretreatment intrathecally (i.t.) with either 10 nmol of NaCaEDTA or 1 nmol of DPA, drugs whose distribution is limited to the extracellular area. Injection of 10 ng zinc chloride i.t. had no long-term effect on nociception or on kainic acid-induced hyperalgesia. Whether zinc is translocated in response to a hyperalgesic dose of kainic acid was determined using the zinc-selective dye, N-(6-methoxy-8-quinolyl)-para-toluenensulfonamide (TSQ), which produces a delicate stain in the neuropil of the mouse spinal cord as well as a dense stain in the hippocampus. Injection of a hyperalgesic dose of kainic acid failed to alter TSQ fluorescence in either the spinal cord or hippocampus, in contrast to the distinct bleaching of TSQ in the hippocampus 24 h after a convulsant dose of kainic acid. Together these data suggest that, while not translocated, zinc in the extracellular area is necessary but not sufficient for the development of kainic acid-induced hyperalgesia.

Amino acid release into the knee joint: key role in nociception and inflammation

This study examined the release of several amino acids after induction of knee joint inflammation in rats using kaolin and carrageenan. During the initial 10-min collection after knee joint injection with the irritants, the concentration of glutamate and the nitric oxide metabolites, arginine and citrulline, doubled. This increase persisted for at least two hours. During the same time period aspartate concentrations remained unchanged. Direct knee joint administration of lidocaine prevented the increases in amino acid concentration measurable by microdialysis probe inserted into the joint. These data suggest the possibility that glutamate may be released by neuronal endings in the joint.

Parenterally administered kainic acid induces a persistent hyperalgesia in the mouse and rat

Nociceptive primary afferent C-fibers express a subset of glutamate receptors that are sensitive to kainic acid. Thus, we tested the possibility that activation of these receptors alters nociception. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of kainic acid induced a persistent thermal hyperalgesia, when tested using the hot plate (mice) and tail flick (mice and rats) assays, and mechanical hyperalgesia when tested using von Frey monofilaments (rats), but had no effect on acetic acid-induced chemical nociception (mice). When administered i. p., 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), an (R, S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-proprionic acid HBr/kainate (AMPA/KA) antagonist, completely blocked hyperalgesia. When injected intrathecally (i.t.), kainic acid itself failed to induce hyperalgesia and AMPA/KA antagonists given i.t. also failed to attenuate the hyperalgesic effect of kainic acid administered i.p. , indicating that the spinal cord is not the primary site of action. Kainic acid injected subcutaneously in the back of mice decreased response latencies in the hot plate and tail flick assays, indicating that hyperalgesia is achieved by a variety of parenteral routes of injection. Histological evaluation of rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia revealed no neurodegenerative changes 24 h after kainic acid. Together these data suggest that a persistent hyperalgesia results from the transient activation of AMPA/KA receptors that are located outside the spinal cord, perhaps on the distal projections of primary afferent fibers.

Synaptic vesicular localization and exocytosis of L-aspartate in excitatory nerve terminals: a quantitative immunogold analysis in rat hippocampus

To elucidate the role of aspartate as a signal molecule in the brain, its localization and those of related amino acids were examined by light and electron microscopic quantitative immunocytochemistry using antibodies specifically recognizing the aldehyde-fixed amino acids. Rat hippocampal slices were incubated at physiological and depolarizing [K+] before glutaraldehyde fixation. At normal [K+], aspartate-like and glutamate-like immunoreactivities were colocalized in nerve terminals forming asymmetrical synapses on spines in stratum radiatum of CA1 and the inner molecular layer of fascia dentata (i.e., excitatory afferents from CA3 and hilus, respectively). During K+ depolarization there was a loss of aspartate and glutamate from these terminals. Simultaneously the immunoreactivities strongly increased in glial cells. These changes were Ca2+-dependent and tetanus toxin-sensitive and did not comprise taurine-like immunoreactivity. Adding glutamine at CSF concentration prevented the loss of aspartate and glutamate and revealed an enhancement of aspartate in the terminals at moderate depolarization. In hippocampi from animals perfused with glutaraldehyde during insulin-induced hypoglycemia (to combine a strong aspartate signal with good ultrastructure) aspartate was colocalized with glutamate in excitatory terminals in stratum radiatum of CA1. The synaptic vesicle-to-cytoplasmic matrix ratios of immunogold particle density were similar for aspartate and glutamate, significantly higher than those observed for glutamine or taurine. Similar results were obtained in normoglycemic animals, although the nerve terminal contents of aspartate were lower. The results indicate that aspartate can be concentrated in synaptic vesicles and subject to sustained exocytotic release from the same nerve endings that contain and release glutamate.

Immunohistochemical detection of glutamate in rat vagal sensory neurons

Vagal primary afferent neurons have their cell bodies located in the nodose (inferior) and jugular (superior) vagal ganglia and send terminals into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) which lies in the dorsomedial medulla. The presence of glutamate (Glu)-containing neurons in the rat nodose ganglion was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Glu-immunoreactivity on nodose sections was found in neuronal perikarya and nerve fibers, but not in non-neuronal elements such as Schwann cells and satellite cells. Both immunoreactive and non-immunoreactive ganglion cells were observed. The immunoreactive ganglion cells amounted to about 60% of the nodose population. No specific intraganglionic localization was observed for the non-immunoreactive cells. Immunoreactive perikarya were slightly smaller than the non-immunoreactive ones, but no relationship was found between size and staining intensities of immunoreactive neurons. The present data indicate that immunodetectable Glu is present in a large population of vagal afferent neurons. They therefore add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Glu may be the main neurotransmitter released by vagal afferent terminals within the nucleus tractus solitarii.

Demonstration of glutamate immunoreactivity in vagal sensory afferents in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

To investigate whether glutamate is a neurotransmitter in vagus nerve sensory afferents terminating in the nucleus tractus solitarius, these terminals were identified by the anterograde transport and their glutamate content examined using the post-embedding immunogold technique. After injection of horseradish peroxidase into the nodose ganglion anterogradely labelled axonal boutons were visualized throughout the nucleus of the solitary tract (nTS), the dorsal motonucleus of the vagus nerve (DVN), predominantly ipsilateral to the injection, and to a lesser extent in the area postrema. Electron microscopic analysis of 47 anterogradely labelled boutons in the nTS following post-embedding immunocytochemistry for glutamate revealed that 43 of these boutons (> 91%) contained a level of glutamate immunoreactivity significantly greater (P < 0.001%) than that observed in the surrounding tissue. The observed enrichment of glutamate immunoreactivity in boutons identified as vagus nerve sensory afferents indicate that glutamate may be a transmitter in these neurones.

Evidence for aspartate-immunoreactive neurons in the neostriatum of the rat: modulation by the mesencephalic dopamine pathway via D1-subtype of receptor

Aspartate-like immunoreactivity was visualized in the neostriatum of rats using indirect immunofluorescence techniques and antibodies raised against aspartate conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanine. In normal rats only a few aspartate-positive cell bodies with limited processes were observed. A moderate increase was seen after treatment with (+)methamphetamine and haloperidol. A dramatic increase in the number and fluorescence intensity was observed in the unilaterally 6-hydroxy-dopamine lesioned rats after multiple injections of the D1-dopamine receptor agonist SKF 38393. In these rats strongly fluorescent processes as well as extensive terminal varicose fibre networks were observed. This increase could partly be blocked by the D1-dopamine receptor antagonist SCH 23390. Using a modified technique the aspartate-positive cell bodies and processes were observed even when the antiserum was diluted 1:80,000. Positive cell bodies and fibres were also seen on the ipsilateral side outside the neostriatum, for example in the islet of Calleja and in the piriform cortex. The aspartate-positive cells were negative for dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein-32, a marker for neurons bearing dopamine D1-receptor subtype. A proportion of the aspartate-positive neurons (20%) contained neuropeptide tyrosine-like immunoreactivity. On adjacent sections there was a marked up-regulation of preprodynorphin-like immunoreactivity. The up-regulation of dynorphin and aspartate was only observed when there was an almost complete denervation of the neostriatum as visualized with antiserum to tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker for dopamine fibres. The present results raise the possibility that aspartate may act as a neurotransmitter released from interneurons in the neostriatum.

AMPA receptor subunits underlying terminals of fine-caliber primary afferent fibers

Postembedding immunogold electron microscopy was used to determine the relation of primary afferent terminals in superficial laminae of the spinal dorsal horn with AMPA receptor subunits. Immunogold particles coding for GluR1 and GluR2/3 were concentrated at synaptic sites, between 30 nm outside and 40 nm inside the postsynaptic membrane. Immunopositive synapses displayed round vesicles and asymmetric specializations, characteristic of terminals releasing excitatory neurotransmitters; symmetric synapses, characteristic of terminals releasing inhibitory amino acids, were immunonegative. In superficial laminae, large terminals of two main types at the center of a synaptic glomerulus originate from primary afferents: C1 terminals are mainly endings of unmyelinated afferent fibers; C2 terminals are mainly endings of thinly myelinated afferent fibers. Terminals of both types were presynaptic to AMPA subunits, but in different proportions: C1 terminals were related more to GluR1 than to GluR2/3, whereas the reverse was true for C2 terminals. These results suggest that functional properties of peripheral afferents to the spinal cord may be specified by the density and combination of receptor subunits in the postsynaptic membrane, and raise the possibility that calcium-permeable AMPA channels may play a special role in the mediation of sensory input by unmyelinated fibers.

Evidence that the NH2-terminus of substance P modulates N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced activity by an action involving sigma receptors

Behaviors induced in mice by intrathecal injections of either N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainic acid are modulated by NH2-terminal fragments of substance P, such as substance P-(1-7). The action of substance P-(1-7) on kainic acid depends on sigma receptor activity. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that sigma receptor activity is also necessary for modulation of NMDA by substance P-(1-7). Intrathecal injection of mice with NMDA results in a brief burst of biting and scratching behaviors which decrease in intensity when NMDA is injected repeatedly at 2 min intervals. Pretreatment with 1,3-di-O-tolylguanidine (DTG), a ligand at both sigma 1 and sigma 2 sites, converted NMDA-induced desensitization to sensitization, thereby enhancing tonic NMDA receptor activity. Although haloperidol (30 min) alone was without effect, the potentiation of NMDA-induced activity by DTG was abolished by haloperidol but unaffected by an equimolar dose of either spiperone or thiothixine, two dopamine receptor antagonists. When mice received substance P-(1-7), NMDA-induced behaviors were initially inhibited but then potentiated. Pretreatment with haloperidol prevented both inhibitory and potentiative effects of substance P-(1-7) whereas thiothixine did not, suggesting inhibitory as well as potentiative modulation of NMDA by sigma receptor activity. Endogenous sigma 1 receptor activity may enhance NMDA receptor activity as a treatment regimen that down-regulates sigma 1 binding also inhibited responses to NMDA. In contrast, pretreatment with haloperidol just 5 min prior to challenge, which blocks both sigma 1 and sigma 2 receptor activity, increased responses to NMDA suggesting an inhibitory effect of sigma 2 receptor activity. In summary, modulation of NMDA by substance P-(1-7) appears to depend on activity at sigma sites as substance P-(1-7) mimicked the potentiative effects of DTG, while haloperidol inhibited the effects of both DTG and substance P-(1-7).

Electron microscopy of immunoreactivity patterns for glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid in synaptic glomeruli of the feline spinal trigeminal nucleus (Subnucleus Caudalis)

We studied the ultrastructure of the synaptic organization in the feline spinal trigeminal nucleus, emphasizing specific neurotransmitter patterns within lamina II of the pars caudalis/medullary dorsal horn. Normal adults were perfused, and Vibratome sections from pars caudalis were processed for electron microscopy. Ultrathin sections were reacted with antibodies for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (Glu) and for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by using postembedding immunogold techniques. Both single- and double-labeled preparations were examined. Results with single labeling show that Glu-immunoreactive terminals have round synaptic vesicles and form asymmetric synaptic contacts onto dendrites. GABA-immunoreactive axon terminals and vesicle-containing dendrites have pleomorphic vesicles, and the axon terminals form symmetric contacts onto dendrites and other axons. Double labeling on a single section shows glomeruli with central Glu-immunoreactive terminals that are presynaptic to dendrites, including GABA+ vesicle-containing dendrites. These Glu+ terminals are also postsynaptic to GABA+ axon terminals, and these GABA-immunoreactive terminals may also be presynaptic to the GABA+ vesicle-containing dendrites. Quantitative analyses confirm the specificity of the Glu and GABA immunoreactivities seen in the various glomerular profiles. The results suggest that a subpopulation of Glu-immunoreactive primary afferents (excitatory) may be under the direct synaptic influence of a GABA-immunoreactive intrinsic pathway (inhibitory) by both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms.

Immunohistochemical localization of neurotransmitters utilized by neurons in the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (riMLF) that project to the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei in the cat

The rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (riMLF) contains excitatory and inhibitory burst neurons that are related to the control of vertical and torsional eye movements. In the present study, light microscopic examination of the immunohistochemical localization of amino acid neurotransmitters demonstrated that the riMLF in the cat contains overlapping populations of neurons that are immunoreactive to the putative inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the excitatory neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate. By using a double-labelling paradigm, GABA-, glutamate-, and aspartate-immunoreactive neurons in the riMLF were retrogradely labelled by transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei. Electron microscopy showed that the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei contain synaptic endings that are immunoreactive to GABA, glutamate, or aspartate. Each neurotransmitter-specific population of synaptic endings has distinctive ultrastructural and synaptic features. Synaptic endings in the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei that are anterogradely labelled by transport of biocytin from the riMLF are immunoreactive to GABA, glutamate, or aspartate. Taken together, the findings from these complimentary retrograde and anterograde double-labelling studies provide rather conclusive evidence that GABA is the inhibitory neurotransmitter, and glutamate and aspartate are the excitatory neurotransmitters, utilized by premotor neurons in the riMLF that are related to the control of vertical saccadic eye movements.

Sleep effects following intrathecal administration of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT and the NMDA antagonist AP-5 in rats

The modulating effect of an intrathecally (i.t.) administered 5-HT1A agonist and an NMDA antagonist on sleep, waking and EEG power spectra was investigated in rats. The 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (38 nmol) increased total slow wave sleep (TSWS) and decreased waking over the 8 h recording period. The TSWS increase was mostly due to an increase in SWS1. Sleep latency to SWS1 was also reduced. The NMDA antagonist dl-2-amino 5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP-5) (31.5 nmol) reduced waking. SWS1 was increased, but TSWS was not changed. An increase in REM sleep was seen during the last part of the recording. Combined treatment with 8-OH-DPAT and AP-5 reduced waking and increased TSWS. No change in REM sleep was seen. There were no systematic changes in either waking, TSWS or REM fronto-frontal or fronto-parietal EEG power spectrum after any of the treatments. The results suggest that in the spinal cord stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors have a dampening effect on transmission of sensory information, leading to deactivation and thereby increased possibilities for sleep induction. Blockade of the NMDA receptors may also lead to a small dampening of sensory transmission with similar consequences.

In vivo studies on NMDA-evoked release of amino acids in the rat spinal cord

In the present study, spontaneous and evoked release of selected amino acids in the rat spinal cord was studied using in vivo microdialysis. Perfusion of the microdialysis probe with 100 K+ evoked a 2-4-fold increase in release of the putative neurotransmitters aspartate, glutamate and taurine while glutamine was decreased. K(+)-evoked release of glutamate was almost completely Ca(2+)-dependent while that of aspartate was partially Ca(2+)-dependent. Taurine release was not affected by substituting Ca2+ with Co2+. Perfusion with 5 mM N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) evoked 3-9-fold release of glutamate, glycine and taurine and a small increase in extracellular beta-alanine. No significant changes in glutamine and serine were found. 5 mM of the competitive NMDA antagonist 3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) reduced NMDA-evoked release of glutamate and taurine by approx. 50%. 5 mM 3-amino-1-hydroxypyrrolid-2-one (HA-966), an agonist at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor with very low efficacy, completely inhibited NMDA-evoked release of taurine and reduced the levels of released glutamate below baseline, similar to the effect of 1 mM CPP alone. The present results show that in situations of excessive release of excitatory amino acids such as spinal ischemia and trauma. NMDA receptor-evoked release of glutamate may amplify the deleterious process and spread the damage.

Immunocytochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus of the cat: a light and electron microscopic study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies conducted on the rat have demonstrated that the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN) neurons, involved in the proprioceptive transmission, contain some neuroactive substances, including classical and amino acid neurotransmitters. In addition, there is evidence that serotonin could not act as a neurotransmitter at the first synaptic relay in the cat MTN. In the present study, we aimed to examine two other possible neurotransmitter systems, i.e., catecholamines and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and the relationships between GABA-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR axonal varicosities in the MTN of the cat.

METHODS

To ensure the localization of immunoreactive structures, the experiments were carried out at the light and electron microscopic level using single immunostaining for TH and GABA alone. The correlation between GABA-IR cell bodies and TH-IR fibers was investigated by means of double-labeling immunogold and peroxidase technique for GABA and TH.

RESULTS

Light microscopically, a few GABA-IR neurons were observed in the cat MTN. These small-size, labeled cells, most likely interneurons, were apposed to unstained large mesencephalic trigeminal cells. Most of the large nonreactive MTN neurons were closely surrounded by fine TH-IR varicose or nonvaricose fibers and dot-like structures, presumably nerve terminals. Under the electron microscope, TH-IR fibers were not seen in synaptic contact and only rarely appeared to be in close proximity to neuronal profiles of small GABAergic cells, which contained gold particles.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together with earlier studies from other laboratories, the present findings suggest that GABAergic system might play an indirect role in the proprioceptive information processing in the cat MTN by interactions of GABA-immunoreactive neurons with the systems that control the transmission of selected sensory information. In contrast, the presence of TH-IR fibers in direct apposition to the majority of MTN neurons provide further evidence that presumed GABAergic interneurons have extensive interactions with catecholamine varicosities and raise the possibility that catecholamines could modify the transmission on these neurons.

Altered N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) activity in the mouse spinal cord following morphine is mediated by sigma activity

The present study was designed to determine whether the increase in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) activity in the mouse spinal cord, unmasked by naloxone in morphine-pretreated mice, is mediated by sigma receptor activity. Behavioral responses to intrathecal injections of NMDA were inhibited by pretreatment (2 h) with morphine (10 mg/kg i.p.) except when NMDA was injected together with 0.1 micrograms of naloxone. This excitatory effect of morphine on NMDA-induced behaviors, unmasked in the presence of naloxone was prevented but not reversed by haloperidol, a sigma ligand and dopamine antagonist, but not by an equivalent dose of spiperone, a dopamine antagonist. Sigma activity also appeared to contribute to morphine withdrawal jumping in mice as haloperidol inhibited naloxone-induced jumping while spiperone did not. Together these data indicate that naloxone unmasks an action of morphine on NMDA and during acute withdrawal, and these effects are each brought about by mechanisms involving sigma receptor activity.

Increased N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) activity in the mouse spinal cord following morphine does not mediate opioid withdrawal

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been proposed to play a role in opioid tolerance and dependence. The present study was designed to determine whether the increased NMDA activity in the spinal cord, unmasked by naloxone in morphine-pretreated mice, reflects activity leading to opioid withdrawal. Behavioral responses to intrathecal injections of NMDA were inhibited by pretreatment (2 h) with morphine (10 mg/kg i.p.), but enhanced following morphine when naloxone was injected together with NMDA. Although injected at doses that inhibited NMDA activity, the excitatory effects of morphine on NMDA-induced behaviors were prevented by dizocilpine (MK-801), a phencyclidine (PCP) ligand, but not by 3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1 phosphonic acid (CPP), a competitive NMDA antagonist. MK-801 also inhibited naloxone-induced withdrawal jumping, however, just as CPP failed to affect morphine-induced changes in MMDA-induced behaviors, CPP also failed to inhibit withdrawal jumping. Together these data indicated that withdrawal from acute opioid dependence correlates with, but is not mediated by enhanced NMDA activity.

Amino acid immunocytochemistry of primary afferent terminals in the rat dorsal horn

We combined transganglionic tracing methods with postembedding electron microscopic immunocytochemistry to determine whether identified primary afferent fibers terminating in spinal laminae I-IV may use glutamate and aspartate as neurotransmitters. Sciatic injections of wheat-germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase labeled fine afferent fibers with terminals in laminae I-II of the lumbar spinal cord, whereas injections of the B subunit of cholera toxin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase labeled primary afferent terminals in deeper laminae. Many labeled primary afferent terminals in superficial laminae were involved in glomerular synaptic arrangements; others established nonglomerular contacts. Most glomerular arrangements were clearly immunopositive for glutamate, compared with dendrites, astrocytes, or terminals immunopositive for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The degree of enrichment varied in labeled terminals of different morphological types. Aspartate was enriched, though to a lesser degree than glutamate, in labeled central terminals of glomeruli in superficial laminae. Labeled primary afferent terminals in laminae III-IV were immunopositive for glutamate, though at lower levels than glomerular terminals in superficial laminae. Aspartate was not enriched in these terminals compared with dendrites, glia, and GABA-positive terminals. These results support a neurotransmitter role for glutamate in primary afferents to the dorsal horn. Quantitative differences in the content of glutamate in identified primary afferent terminals may be related to functional differences. Enrichment of aspartate in terminals in superficial but not deep laminae is compatible with a role for this amino acid in sustained, NMDA-mediated phenomena characteristic of activity in fine caliber afferents.

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical localization of AMPA-selective glutamate receptors in the rat spinal cord

alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors are probably the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter receptors of the central nervous system, and they play a role in most normal and pathological neural activities. However, previous detailed studies of AMPA subunit distribution have been limited mainly to the brain. Thus, a comprehensive study of AMPA receptor subunit distribution was carried out on sections of rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia, which were immunolabeled with antibodies made against peptides corresponding to C-terminal portions of the AMPA receptor subunits: GluR1, GluR2/3, and GluR4. In the spinal cord, labeling was most prominent in the superficial dorsal horn, motoneurons, and nuclei containing preganglionic autonomic neurons. Immunostaining also was observed in neurons in other regions including those known to contain Renshaw cells and Ia inhibitory cells. Although overall immunostaining was lighter with antibody to GluR1 than with GluR2/3 and 4, there were neurons that preferentially stained with antibody to GluR1. These "GluR1 intense" neurons were usually fusiform and most concentrated in lamina X. In dorsal root ganglia, immunostaining of ganglion cell bodies was moderate to dense with antibody to GluR2/3 and light to moderate with antibody to GluR4. Possible neuroglia in the spinal cord (mainly GluR2/3 and 4) and satellite cells in dorsal root ganglia (GluR4) were immunostained. Electron microscopic studies of the superficial dorsal horn and lateral motor column showed staining that was restricted mainly to postsynaptic densities and associated dendritic and cell body cytoplasm. In dorsal horn, colocalization of dense-cored vesicles with clear, round synaptic vesicles was observed in unstained presynaptic terminals apposed to stained postsynaptic densities. Subsynaptic dense bodies (Taxi-bodies) were associated with some stained postsynaptic densities in both the superficial dorsal horn and lateral motor column. Based on several morphological features including vesicle structure and presence of Taxi-bodies, it is likely that at least some of the postsynaptic staining seen in this study is apposed to glutamatergic input from primary sensory afferent terminals.

Morphine modulates excitatory amino acid-induced activity in the mouse spinal cord: short-term effects on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and long-term effects on kainic acid

Excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonists and phencyclidine (PCP) ligands inhibit the development of morphine tolerance and dependence. The present study tested the hypothesis that opioids increase EAA-induced activity by monitoring morphine's effect on the caudally-directed biting and scratching behaviors produced in mice by intrathecal (i.t.) injections of either N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainic acid (KA). A single injection of 10 mg/kg of morphine i.p. had no effect on the intensity of behaviors induced 2 h later by KA but inhibited NMDA-induced activity. Pretreatment with 100 mg/kg of morphine i.p. 24 h before testing did not alter NMDA-induced behaviors, but attenuated sensitization to repeated injections of KA, which is thought to reflect activation of primary afferent C-fibers. Coadministration of 0.1 microgram of naloxone with EAAs did not alter responses to either NMDA or KA in control mice, however, 2 h after 10 mg/kg of morphine, inclusion of naloxone potentiated NMDA-induced activity without altering responses to KA. 24 h after 100 mg/kg of morphine, naloxone, coadministered with KA, was also able to reverse the inhibitory effect of morphine pretreatment on KA-induced activity. In summary, morphine produces short-term inhibitory and excitatory effects on NMDA-induced activity, the latter of which is unmasked by naloxone. Morphine has no immediate effect on KA-induced activity but is able to bring about a long-term inhibition of sensitization to KA, an effect that is reversed by naloxone. Activity along pathways activated by NMDA and KA may, therefore, contribute to different aspects of opioid tolerance or withdrawal.

Neurotransmitters in subcortical somatosensory pathways

Investigations during recent years indicate that many different neuroactive substances are involved in the transmission and modulation of somesthetic information in the central nervous system. This review surveys recent developments within the field of somatosensory neurotransmission, emphasizing immunocytochemical findings. Increasing evidence indicates a widespread role for glutamate as a fast-acting excitatory neurotransmitter at different levels in somatosensory pathways. Several studies have substantiated a role for glutamate as a neurotransmitter in primary afferent neurons and in corticofugal projections, and also indicate a neurotransmitter role for glutamate in ascending somatosensory pathways. Other substances likely to be involved in somatosensory neurotransmission include the neuropeptides. Many different peptides have been detected in primary afferent neurons with unmyelinated or thinly myelinated axons, and are thus likely to be directly involved in primary afferent neurotransmission. Some neurons giving rise to ascending somatosensory pathways, primarily those with cell bodies in the dorsal horn, are also immunoreactive for peptides. Recent investigations have shown that the expression of neuropeptides, both in primary afferent and ascending tract neurons, may change as a result of various kinds of peripheral manipulation. The occurrence of neurotransmitters in intrinsic neurons and neurons providing modulating inputs to somatosensory relay nuclei (the dorsal horn, the lateral cervical nucleus, the dorsal column nuclei and the ventrobasal thalamus) is also reviewed. Neurotransmitters and modulators in such neurons include acetylcholine, monoamines, GABA, glycine, glutamate, and various neuropeptides.

Glutaminase immunoreactive neurons in the rat dorsal root ganglion contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)

The co-localization of glutaminase and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was examined with immunohistochemistry in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG). The majority of the DRG neurons were immunoreactive for glutaminase and all DRG neurons that contained CGRP also contained glutaminase. These results indicate that some DRG neurons release glutamate and CGRP from the same axon terminals in the spinal cord. Co-release of glutamate and CGRP from primary afferents may have multiple effects including fast and slow neurotransmission of sensory information in the spinal cord.

Regulation of sigma activity by the amino-terminus of substance P in the mouse spinal cord: involvement of phencyclidine (PCP) sites not linked to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) activity

Behavioral responses to kainic acid (KA) injected intrathecally in mice are enhanced by N-but not C-terminal fragments of substance P (SP). Repeated injections of KA result in sensitization to KA-induced activity, an effect that appears to be mediated by SP N-terminal activity and inhibited by PCP ligands. The present study was initiated to determine whether the ability of SP N-terminal fragments to enhance KA activity is also sensitive to PCP ligands. We compared the effect of a PCP ligand, dizocilpine (MK-801), to that of haloperidol, a sigma ligand and dopamine antagonist. MK-801 (1 nmol) failed to alter the enhancement of behavioral responses to KA (25 pmol) produced by SP(1-7) (22.5 pmol, 30 min). However, pretreatment with 1 nmol of either haloperidol or the N-terminal SP antagonist, [D-Pro2-D-Phe7]SP(1-7) [D-SP(1-7)], prevented potentiation of KA by SP(1-7). Like SP(1-7), 5 nmol of the sigma ligand 1,3-di(2-tolyl)guanidine (DTG) also enhanced behaviors elicited by KA, and this effect was also blocked by haloperidol or D-SP(1-7), but not spiperone (2.5 nmol), a dopamine antagonist. Together these data suggest that sigma receptors are involved in the potentiation of KA. A large dose of SP(1-7) (10 nmol) or DTG (20 nmol) did not alter the response to KA 24 hr later, yet further potentiated responses to KA 30 min after SP(1-7) (22.5 pmol) or DTG (5 nmol), suggesting sensitization to the effects of these compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enrichment of glutamate-like immunoreactivity in primary afferent terminals throughout the spinal cord dorsal horn

Although several lines of evidence indicate that glutamate is a neurotransmitter in primary afferent terminals, controversies exist on the proportion and types of such terminals that release glutamate. In the present study quantitative analysis of immunogold labelling was used to assess the presence of glutamate-like immunoreactivity in primary afferent terminals in laminae I-V of the rat spinal cord dorsal horn. Anterograde transport of choleragenoid-horseradish peroxidase from a spinal ganglion and tetramethyl benzidine histochemistry were used to identify primary afferent terminals in laminae I and III-V. Presumed C-fibre terminals in lamina II were identified on morphological criteria (dense sinusoid axon terminals). Primary afferent terminals in all dorsal horn laminae displayed significantly higher levels of glutamate-like immunoreactivity than pleomorphic vesicle-containing profiles in laminae III-IV and large neuronal cell bodies in laminae III-V. The density of gold particles over primary afferent terminals also significantly exceeded the average density of gold particles over laminae II and III-IV. The highest densities of gold particles were present over dense sinusoid axon terminals in lamina II. These findings suggest that glutamate, alone or in combination with other neuroactive compounds, is involved in the transfer of all sensory modalities from primary afferent fibres to dorsal horn neurons.

MK-801 and phencyclidine act at phencyclidine sites that are not linked to N-methyl-D-aspartate activity to inhibit behavioral sensitization to kainate

Sensitization to the behavioral effects of intrathecal kainate in mice depends on an accumulation of the N-terminus of substance P in the spinal cord and may reflect similar synaptic activity as that underlying pain transmission. The purpose of this study was to determine whether kainate sensitization, like pain, is sensitive to inhibition by phencyclidine ligands. Doses that selectively inhibit the behavioral response to a single injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate, but not kainate, were established for two non-competitive antagonists, dizocilpine (MK-801) and phencyclidine, as well as two competitive antagonists, D-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and (+/-)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid, of N-methyl-D-aspartate. Using these doses, we found that 1 nmol of MK-801 or 3 nmol of phencyclidine blocked sensitization to four injections of 25 pmol of kainate administered at 2 min intervals. In contrast, 1.48 nmol of D-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and 0.5 nmol of (+/-)-3)2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid failed to alter sensitization to kainate, indicating that activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors is not necessary for kainate sensitization. Haloperidol (1 nmol), a sigma receptor ligand, also failed to inhibit sensitization to kainate, suggesting that the actions of MK-801 and phencyclidine were not produced by a non-selective effect at sigma sites. Together, these data suggest that MK-801 and phencyclidine inhibit behavioral sensitization to kainate via phencyclidine receptors that are not linked to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino acids and serotonin are released into the lumbar spinal cord of the anesthetized cat following intradermal capsaicin injections

Several amino acids including aspartate, glutamate and glycine and the monoamine serotonin were retrieved from the extracellular space of the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord in the alpha-chloralose anesthetized cat in vivo using a transverse microdialysis probe. Neurotransmitter concentrations were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography in combination with fluorescence (amino acid) or electrochemical (serotonin) detection. Intradermal injection of 3% capsaicin into the hindleg either ipsilateral or contralateral to the dialysis probe was used to evoke release. Extracellular concentrations of aspartate, glutamate and serotonin increased significantly following capsaicin injection into the ipsilateral limb. An almost equal increase in serotonin and a less pronounced, but still significant, increase in aspartate accompanied contralateral capsaicin injection. Glutamate concentrations increased in the dialysate during contralateral capsaicin injection in about half of the animals. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Asp and Glu are both neurotransmitters released from nociceptive primary afferent fibers and/or interneurons activated by these fibers. In addition, Asp is presumed to be released from intrinsic spinal or descending systems following nociceptive stimulation. Bilateral release of 5HT into the dorsal horn most likely results from non-topographic activation of descending endogenous analgesia pathways.

Nitric oxide (NO) and nociceptive processing in the spinal cord

There is considerable evidence to implicate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in the mechanisms that underly thermal hyperalgesia in the spinal cord. As many of the effects of NMDA receptor activation appear to be ultimately mediated through production of nitric oxide (NO), recent reports have begun to define the role of NO in spinal nociceptive processing. From this evidence, it is likely that NO, produced in neurons in the spinal cord that contain NO synthase, like NMDA, plays a pivotal role in multisynaptic local circuit nociceptive processing in the spinal cord. Collectively, these reports suggest that the reflex withdrawal response to noxious heat is not mediated through activation of NMDA receptors and subsequent production of NO and cGMP, but that the acute NMDA-produced facilitation of thermal reflexes is NMDA-, NO- and cGMP-mediated and that a sustained production of NO and subsequent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (GC-S) in the lumbar spinal cord appears to be required for maintenance of the thermal hyperalgesia produced in persistent pain models. As our knowledge and understanding of the new and intriguing class of neurotransmitters typified by NO emerges, it is likely that the next few years of pain and analgesia research will focus on the cellular events underlying mechanisms of chronic pain.

Excitatory amino acids as neurotransmitters of cortical and cerebellar projections to the red nucleus: an immunocytochemical study in the guinea pig

We combined a retrograde labeling technique with peroxidase immunocytochemistry to verify whether cortical and cerebellar neurons projecting to the red nucleus (RN) contain high concentrations of glutamate and aspartate as possible neurotransmitters. Injections of a tracer, colloidal gold-labeled enzymatically inactive horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheatgerm agglutinin, into the RN of adult guinea pigs produced retrograde labeling of layer V cortical neurons, with a large predominance in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Corticorubral neurons were located in the granular parietal cortex (Gr), agranular frontal cortex (Ag), agranular cingulate cortex (Cg), and retrobulbar cortex (Rb). Large numbers of retrogradely labeled neurons were concentrated in contralateral interpositus and dentate cerebellar nuclei. We found the majority of corticorubral neurons to be immunostained by antibodies raised in rabbits against glutamate or aspartate conjugated to invertebrate hemocyanin by glutaraldehyde, supporting the hypothesis that excitatory amino acids are neurotransmitters of corticorubral projections. With either antiserum, immunostaining was found in 58-72% of corticorubral neurons in Ag and Gr; higher percentages were observed in Rb (80-85%) and Cg (up to 96%). Cross-sectional area measurements indicated that the perikarya of corticorubral neurons were larger in Ag and Gr than in Rb and Cg; in each area, soma size values of immunopositive corticorubral neurons tended to be larger than those of immunonegative ones. In the cerebellar nuclei, virtually all retrogradely labeled neurons were immunostained by glutamate and aspartate antisera, suggesting that excitatory amino acids might also be considered as possible neurotransmitters for cerebellorubral projections.

Transmitter substances contained in the petrosal ganglion cells determined by a double-labeling method in the rat

The presence of glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp) and substance P (SP) in the petrosal ganglion of rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium was studied using retrograde labeling of the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in combination with immunohistochemistry. (i) The incidence of HRP/Glu-labeled cells was the highest (32%, n = 3), followed in order by HRP/Asp-labeled cells (23%, n = 3) and HRP/SP-labeled cells (6%, n = 3). (ii) No significant difference was observed in the average diameter of HRP/Glu- and HRP/Asp-labeled cells, but the average diameter of HRP/SP-labeled cells was significantly larger than that of HRP/Glu- and HRP/Asp-labeled cells (P < 0.01). These results suggest that Glu may coexist with Asp, and SP-containing cells may form a different population from Glu- and Asp-containing cells in the petrosal ganglion. The physiological role of these transmitter substances is discussed.

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

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

Serotonin-, substance P- and glutamate/aspartate-like immunoreactivities in medullo-spinal pathways of rat and primate

Serotonergic neurons of the medulla oblongata have been proposed to play a role in the control of sensory, motor and autonomic cells in the spinal cord. Many of these raphe neurons have been shown to contain the undecapeptide substance P as well as the tripeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone, but evidence for the presence of an excitatory amino acid in these pathways has not yet been documented. In colchicine-treated rats, we have used a combination of retrograde tracing and tri-color immunohistofluorescence techniques to study co-localization of serotonin- and substance P- with glutamate- or aspartate-like immunoreactivities in medullary neurons and the possible spinal projections of these cells. In addition, the distributions of serotonin-, substance P- and glutamate-immunoreactive terminal fields in the dorsal, ventral and lateral horns of the spinal cord were examined with tri-color immunofluorescence in the rat and the primate Macaca fasciculata. In colchicine-treated rats, glutamate- and aspartate-like immunoreactivity was found in practically all serotonin- and substance P-immunoreactive neurons of the B1, B2 and B3 cell groups. Some of these neurons also contained wheat-germ agglutinin conjugated to inactivated horseradish peroxidase and colloidal gold particles retrogradely transported from the spinal cord. In the spinal cords of non-colchicine-treated monkeys and rats, striking co-localization of serotonin, substance P- and glutamate-like immunoreactivities was seen in large boutons, surrounding the dendrites and cell bodies of large alpha motor neurons in the ventral horn. These observations suggest the existence of spinally projecting serotonin/substance P neurons containing excitatory amino acids such as glutamate or aspartate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)