Reduced GABAA receptor α6 expression in the trigeminal ganglion enhanced myofascial nociceptive response

Activational and organizational actions of gonadal hormones on the sexual dimorphism of the α6-subunit containing GABAA receptor in Wistar rats with neuropathic pain

Sex differences in pain perception and response to analgesics are well documented, yet the underlying causes remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the sexual dimorphism in the function of α6GABAA receptors in neuropathic pain, focusing on activational and organizational actions of gonadal hormones. Using the nerve ligation model in rats, we found that the positive allosteric modulator, PZ-ll-029 (30 nmol, it), produced a robust antiallodynic effect in females but not in males. Ovariectomy abolished this effect, while a single dose of estradiol (20 μg/kg sc, -24 h), that returned to physiological serum levels, partially restored it, indicating that the activational effect of estradiol is crucial for α6GABAA receptor-mediated antiallodynia in females. Interestingly, adult or neonatal (at postnatal day 3) orchidectomy did not alter the male's insensitivity to PZ-ll-029, even after estradiol treatment. However, neonatal female's virilization (with testosterone propionate 120 μg/rat at postnatal day 3) induced a male-like insensitivity to PZ-ll-029, that was partial when the ovaries were present and complete after adult ovariectomy. These findings reveal that the neonatal organizational effects of testosterone determine the sex-specific insensitivity of α6GABAA receptors to modulate neuropathic pain, while the activational effects of estradiol can partly maintain the female-typical response, despite early androgen exposure. Our results provide new insights into hormonal regulation of pain modulation and suggest that both developmental exposure and adult status should be considered in basic research and preclinical studies investigating sex-based dimorphisms.

GABA and its receptors' mechanisms in the treatment of insomnia

Insomnia has now become a major health problem of global concern, with about 1/3 of the population suffering from sleep problems, a proportion that is still rising year by year. Most of the therapeutic drugs for insomnia currently used in clinical practice are not developed in a targeted manner, but are discovered by chance, and have unavoidable side effects such as addiction. Finding a safer and more effective therapeutic drug has become an urgent need for current research. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It can ameliorate Insomnia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. Various mechanisms have been reported for GABA to ameliorate insomnia, such as GABAA receptor modulation, GABAB receptor modulation, inhibition of neuroinflammatory responses, repair of oxidative damage, and inter-regulation of the circadian rhythm hormone melatonin. GABA is a potential therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of insomnia. This paper reviews mechanisms of GABA and its receptors in insomnia diseases and the potential of GABA analogs application and discusses the research progress of GABA as a promising therapeutic drug for insomnia diseases. This will help the development of novel targeted GABA-like drugs and provide new ideas and methods for the clinical treatment of insomnia.

Estradiol modulates the role of the spinal α6-subunit containing GABAA receptors in female rats with neuropathic pain

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying sex differences in the role of spinal α6-subunit containing GABAA (α6GABAA) receptors in rats with neuropathic pain. Intrathecal 2,5-dihydro-7-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3H-pyrazolo [4,3-c] quinoline-3-one (PZ-II-029, positive allosteric modulator of α6GABAA receptors) reduced tactile allodynia in female but not in male rats with neuropathic pain. PZ-II-029 was also more effective in females than males in inflammatory and nociplastic pain. Ovariectomy abated the antiallodynic effect of PZ-II-029 in neuropathic rats, whereas 17β-estradiol or 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) trisphenol (PPT), estradiol receptor-α agonist, restored the effect of PZ-II-029 in ovariectomized rats. Blockade of estradiol receptor-α, using MPP (1,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-[4-(2-piperidinylethoxy) phenol]-1H-pyrazole dihydrochloride), prevented the effect of 17β-estradiol on PZ-II-029-induced antiallodynia in ovariectomized neuropathic females. Nerve injury reduced α6GABAA receptor protein expression at the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord of intact and ovariectomized female rats. In this last group, reconstitution with 17β-estradiol fully restored its expression in DRG and spinal cord. In male rats, nerve injury reduced α6GABAA receptor protein expression only at the spinal cord. Nerve injury enhanced estradiol receptor-α protein expression at the DRG in intact non-ovariectomized rats. However, ovariectomy decreased estradiol receptor-α protein expression at the DRG. In the spinal cord there were no changes in estradiol receptor-α protein expression. 17β-estradiol restored estradiol receptor-α protein expression at the DRG and increased it at the spinal cord of neuropathic rats. These data suggest that 17β-estradiol modulates the expression and function of the α6GABAA receptor through its interaction with estradiol receptor-α in female rats.

Preclinical orofacial pain assays and measures and chronic primary orofacial pain research: where we are and where we need to go

Chronic primary orofacial pain (OFP) conditions such as painful temporomandibular disorders (pTMDs; i.e., myofascial pain and arthralgia), idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) are seemingly idiopathic, but evidence support complex and multifactorial etiology and pathophysiology. Important fragments of this complex array of factors have been identified over the years largely with the help of preclinical studies. However, findings have yet to translate into better pain care for chronic OFP patients. The need to develop preclinical assays that better simulate the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical symptoms of OFP patients and to assess OFP measures consistent with their clinical symptoms is a challenge that needs to be overcome to support this translation process. In this review, we describe rodent assays and OFP pain measures that can be used in support of chronic primary OFP research, in specific pTMDs, TN, and BMS. We discuss their suitability and limitations considering the current knowledge of the etiology and pathophysiology of these conditions and suggest possible future directions. Our goal is to foster the development of innovative animal models with greater translatability and potential to lead to better care for patients living with chronic primary OFP.

Activation of α 6 -containing GABA A receptors induces antinociception under physiological and pathological conditions

ABSTRACT

The loss of GABAergic inhibition is a mechanism that underlies neuropathic pain. Therefore, rescuing the GABAergic inhibitory tone through the activation of GABA A receptors is a strategy to reduce neuropathic pain. This study was designed to elucidate the function of the spinal α 6 -containing GABA A receptor in physiological conditions and neuropathic pain in female and male rats. Results show that α 6 -containing GABA A receptor blockade or transient α 6 -containing GABA A receptor knockdown induces evoked hypersensitivity and spontaneous pain in naive female rats. The α 6 subunit is expressed in IB4 + and CGRP + primary afferent neurons in the rat spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia but not astrocytes. Nerve injury reduces α 6 subunit protein expression in the central terminals of the primary afferent neurons and dorsal root ganglia, whereas intrathecal administration of positive allosteric modulators of the α 6 -containing GABA A receptor reduces tactile allodynia and spontaneous nociceptive behaviors in female, but not male, neuropathic rats and mice. Overexpression of the spinal α 6 subunit reduces tactile allodynia and restores α 6 subunit expression in neuropathic rats. Positive allosteric modulators of the α 6 -containing GABA A receptor induces a greater antiallodynic effect in female rats and mice compared with male rats and mice. Finally, α 6 subunit is expressed in humans. This receptor is found in CGRP + and P2X3 + primary afferent fibers but not astrocytes in the human spinal dorsal horn. Our results suggest that the spinal α 6 -containing GABA A receptor has a sex-specific antinociceptive role in neuropathic pain, suggesting that this receptor may represent an interesting target to develop a novel treatment for neuropathic pain.

α6-Containing GABAA Receptors: Functional Roles and Therapeutic Potentials

GABAA receptors containing the α6 subunit are highly expressed in cerebellar granule cells and less abundantly in many other neuronal and peripheral tissues. Here, we for the first time summarize their importance for the functions of the cerebellum and the nervous system. The cerebellum is not only involved in motor control but also in cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors. α6βγ2 GABAA receptors located at cerebellar Golgi cell/granule cell synapses enhance the precision of inputs required for cerebellar timing of motor activity and are thus involved in cognitive processing and adequate responses to our environment. Extrasynaptic α6βδ GABAA receptors regulate the amount of information entering the cerebellum by their tonic inhibition of granule cells, and their optimal functioning enhances input filtering or contrast. The complex roles of the cerebellum in multiple brain functions can be compromised by genetic or neurodevelopmental causes that lead to a hypofunction of cerebellar α6-containing GABAA receptors. Animal models mimicking neuropsychiatric phenotypes suggest that compounds selectively activating or positively modulating cerebellar α6-containing GABAA receptors can alleviate essential tremor and motor disturbances in Angelman and Down syndrome as well as impaired prepulse inhibition in neuropsychiatric disorders and reduce migraine and trigeminal-related pain via α6-containing GABAA receptors in trigeminal ganglia. Genetic studies in humans suggest an association of the human GABAA receptor α6 subunit gene with stress-associated disorders. Animal studies support this conclusion. Neuroimaging and post-mortem studies in humans further support an involvement of α6-containing GABAA receptors in various neuropsychiatric disorders, pointing to a broad therapeutic potential of drugs modulating α6-containing GABAA receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: α6-Containing GABAA receptors are abundantly expressed in cerebellar granule cells, but their pathophysiological roles are widely unknown, and they are thus out of the mainstream of GABAA receptor research. Anatomical and electrophysiological evidence indicates that these receptors have a crucial function in neuronal circuits of the cerebellum and the nervous system, and experimental, genetic, post-mortem, and pharmacological studies indicate that selective modulation of these receptors offers therapeutic prospects for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders and for stress and its consequences.

Attenuation of Sensory Transmission Through the Rat Trigeminal Ganglion by GABA Receptor Activation

While the trigeminal ganglion is often considered a passive conduit of sensory transmission, neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs) within it can release neurotransmitters and express neuroreceptors. Some trigeminal ganglion neurons contain the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and express GABA receptors. There is behavioral evidence that increased GABA levels in the trigeminal ganglion decreases nociception, while a loss of GABA receptors results in hyperalgesia, although the neural mechanisms for this remain to be investigated. In this study, the expression of GABA receptors by trigeminal ganglion neurons that innervate rat labial skin and masseter muscle was compared using immunohistochemistry. The effect of intraganglionic administration of GABA receptor agonists was investigated by single unit recording of trigeminal brainstem and ganglion neuron responses to stimulation of the labial skin and/or masseter muscle in anesthetized rats. The mean frequency of expression of GABA_A and GABA_B receptors by masseter and labial skin ganglion neurons was 62.5% and 92.7%, and 55.4% and 20.3%, respectively. The expression of both GABA receptors was significantly greater in skin ganglion neurons. Masticatory muscle evoked brainstem trigeminal neuron responses were significantly attenuated by intraganglionic injection of muscimol (GABA_A) but not baclofen (GABA_B). The mechanical sensitivity of slow and fast conducting masticatory muscle afferent fibers was decreased and increased, respectively, by intraganglionic injection of both muscimol and baclofen. Activation of GABA_A receptors may exert a gating effect on sensory transmission through the trigeminal ganglion by decreasing putative nociceptive input and enhancing innocuous sensory input.

Trigeminal neuropathic pain development and maintenance in rats are suppressed by a positive modulator of α6 GABAA receptors

γ-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA ) receptors containing the α6 subunit are located in trigeminal ganglia, and their reduction by small interfering RNA increases inflammatory temporomandibular and myofascial pain in rats. We thus hypothesized that enhancing their activity may help in neuropathic syndromes originating from the trigeminal system. Here, we performed a detailed electrophysiological and pharmacokinetic analysis of two recently developed deuterated structurally similar pyrazoloquinolinone compounds. DK-I-56-1 at concentrations below 1 µM enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) currents at recombinant rat α6β3γ2, α6β3δ and α6β3 receptors, whereas it was inactive at most GABAA receptor subtypes containing other α subunits. DK-I-87-1 at concentrations below 1 µM was inactive at α6-containing receptors and only weakly modulated other GABAA receptors investigated. Both plasma and brain tissue kinetics of DK-I-56-1 were relatively slow, with half-lives of 6 and 13 hr, respectively, enabling the persistence of estimated free brain concentrations in the range 10-300 nM throughout a 24-hr period. Results obtained in two protocols of chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve in rats dosed intraperitoneally with DK-I-56-1 during 14 days after surgery or with DK-I-56-1 or DK-I-87-1 during 14 days after trigeminal neuropathy were already established, demonstrated that DK-I-56-1 but not DK-I-87-1 significantly reduced the hypersensitivity response to von Frey filaments. SIGNIFICANCE: Neuropathic pain induced by trigeminal nerve damage is poorly controlled by current treatments. DK-I-56-1 that positively modulates α6 GABAA receptors is appropriate for repeated administration and thus may represent a novel treatment option against the development and maintenance of trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Long-term application of cannabinoids leads to dissociation between changes in cAMP and modulation of GABAA receptors of mouse trigeminal sensory neurons

Antinociception caused by cannabinoids may have a partial peripheral origin in addition to its central site of action. In fact, we have observed that anandamide selectively and reversibly inhibits GABA_A receptors of putative nociceptive neurons of mouse trigeminal sensory ganglia via CB1 receptor activation to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and decrease cAMP with downstream posttranslational alterations. Since cannabinoids are often used chronically, we studied changes in cAMP levels and GABA-mediated currents of trigeminal neurons following 24 h application of anandamide (0.5 μM) or the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 (5 μM). With this protocol GABA responses were similar to control despite persistent fall in cAMP levels. Inhibition by WIN 55,212-2 of GABA effects recovered after 30 min washout and was not associated with changes in CB1 receptor expression, indicating lack of CB1 receptor inactivation and transient loss of negative coupling between CB1 receptors and GABA_A receptors. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram (100 μM; 24 h) enhanced cAMP levels and GABA-mediated currents, suggesting GABA_A receptors were sensitive to persistent upregulation via cAMP. While the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin (1-20 μM) facilitated cAMP levels and GABA currents following 30 min application, this action was lost after 24 h in line with the drug limited lifespan. The PKA inhibitor PKI 14-22 (10 μM) increased cAMP without changing GABA currents. These data indicate that modulation of GABA_A receptors by intracellular cAMP could be lost following persistent application of cannabinoids. Thus, these observations provide an insight into the waning antinociceptive effects of these compounds.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CVI: GABAA Receptor Subtype- and Function-selective Ligands: Key Issues in Translation to Humans

GABAA receptors are the major inhibitory transmitter receptors in the brain. They are ligand-gated chloride channels and the site of action of benzodiazepines, barbiturates, neuroactive steroids, anesthetics, and convulsants. GABAA receptors are composed of five subunits that can belong to different subunit classes. The existence of 19 homologous subunits and their distinct regional, cellular, and subcellular distribution gives rise to a large number of GABAA receptor subtypes with distinct pharmacology, which modulate different functions of the brain. A variety of compounds have been identified that were claimed to modulate selectively individual GABAA receptor subtypes. However, many of these compounds have only incompletely been investigated or, in addition to a preferential modulation of a receptor subtype, also modulate other subtypes at similar concentrations. Although their differential efficacy at distinct receptor subtypes reduced side effects in behavioral experiments in rodents, the exact receptor subtypes mediating their behavioral effects cannot be unequivocally delineated. In addition, the discrepant in vivo effects of some of these compounds in rodents and man raised doubts on the applicability of the concept of receptor subtype selectivity as a guide for the development of clinically useful drugs. Here, we provide an up-to-date review on the currently available GABAA receptor subtype-selective ligands. We present data on their actual activity at GABAA receptor subtypes, discuss the translational aspect of subtype-selective drugs, and make proposals for the future development of ligands with better anxioselectivity in humans. Finally, we discuss possible ways to strengthen the conclusions of behavioral studies with the currently available drugs.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Deuterated Ligands Functionally Selective for the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor (GABAAR) α6 Subtype with Improved Metabolic Stability and Enhanced Bioavailability

Recent reports indicate that α6β2/3γ2 GABA_AR selective ligands may be important for the treatment of trigeminal activation-related pain and neuropsychiatric disorders with sensori-motor gating deficits. Based on 3 functionally α6β2/3γ2 GABA_AR selective pyrazoloquinolinones, 42 novel analogs were synthesized, and their in vitro metabolic stability and cytotoxicity as well as their in vivo pharmacokinetics, basic behavioral pharmacology, and effects on locomotion were investigated. Incorporation of deuterium into the methoxy substituents of the ligands increased their duration of action via improved metabolic stability and bioavailability, while their selectivity for the GABA_AR α6 subtype was retained. 8b was identified as the lead compound with a substantially improved pharmacokinetic profile. The ligands allosterically modulated diazepam insensitive α6β2/3γ2 GABA_ARs and were functionally silent at diazepam sensitive α1β2/3γ2 GABA_ARs, thus no sedation was detected. In addition, these analogs were not cytotoxic, which render them interesting candidates for treatment of CNS disorders mediated by GABA_AR α6β2/3γ2 subtypes.

Towards functional selectivity for α6β3γ2 GABAA receptors: a series of novel pyrazoloquinolinones

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The GABAA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, which play an important role in neurotransmission. Their variety of binding sites serves as an appealing target for many clinically relevant drugs. Here, we explored the functional selectivity of modulatory effects at specific extracellular α+/β- interfaces, using a systematically varied series of pyrazoloquinolinones.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Recombinant GABAA receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and modulatory effects on GABA-elicited currents by the newly synthesized and reference compounds were investigated by the two-electrode voltage clamp method.

KEY RESULTS

We identified a new compound which, to the best of our knowledge, shows the highest functional selectivity for positive modulation at α6β3γ2 GABAA receptors with nearly no residual activity at the other αxβ3γ2 (x = 1-5) subtypes. This modulation was independent of affinity for α+/γ- interfaces. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time a compound that elicits a negative modulation at specific extracellular α+/β- interfaces.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These results constitute a major step towards a potential selective positive modulation of certain α6-containing GABAA receptors, which might be useful to elicit their physiological role. Furthermore, these studies pave the way towards insights into molecular principles that drive positive versus negative allosteric modulation of specific GABAA receptor isoforms.

Response of the GABAergic System to Axotomy of the Rat Facial Nerve

The responses of inhibitory neurons/synapses to motoneuron injury in the cranial nervous system remain to be elucidated. In this study, we analyzed GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) and GABAergic neurons at the protein level in the transected rat facial nucleus. Immunoblotting revealed that the GABA_ARα1 protein levels in the axotomized facial nucleus decreased significantly 5-14 days post-insult, and these levels remained low for 5 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the GABA_ARα1-expressing cells were motoneurons. We next examined the specific components of GABAergic neurons, including glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) and GABA transporter-1 (GAT-1). Immunoblotting indicated that the protein levels of GAD, VGAT and GAT-1 decreased transiently in the transected facial nucleus from 5 to 14 days post-insult, but returned to the control levels at 5 weeks post-insult. Although GABA_ARα1 protein levels in the transected nucleus did not return to their control levels for 5 weeks post-insult, the administration of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor at the cut site significantly ameliorated the reductions. Through these findings, we verified that the injured facial motoneurons suppressed the levels of GABA_ARα1 protein over the 5 weeks post-insult, presumably due to the deprivation of neurotrophic factor. On the other hand, the levels of the GAD, VGAT and GAT-1 proteins in GABAergic neurons were transiently reduced in the axotomized facial nucleus at 5-14 days post-insult, but recovered at 4-5 weeks post-insult.

Corticospinal excitability as a biomarker of myofascial pain syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common chronic pain disorder that lacks effective diagnostic criteria. To better understand neurophysiological changes in chronic pain, several trials exploring corticospinal excitability in different populations of patients with chronic pain have been performed.

OBJECTIVES

In this systematic review, we aimed to investigate the current literature on MPS and intracortical disinhibition, by means of increased intracortical facilitation and decreased intracortical inhibition (ICI).

METHODS

We performed a search on PubMed to identify clinical trials on MPS and transcranial magnetic stimulation measurements. We then applied the Harford Hill criteria to the identified studies to assess the possible causal relationship between intracortical disinhibition measurements and MPS. Finally, we compared our findings on MPS with other chronic pain conditions.

RESULTS

Four studies assessing corticospinal excitability in patients with MPS were found. Although the amount of trials available is limited, all the reported studies indicated an increased intracortical disinhibition in patients with MPS. Importantly, these measurements were also correlated with psychological factors, such as pain catastrophism, or anxiety. However, based on the Harford Hill criteria, we could not assert a strong causal relationship between these markers and MPS. Although intracortical disinhibition has been consistently found in patients having MPS, this lack of cortical inhibition was not only observed in this specific chronic pain syndrome but also in fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain conditions.

CONCLUSION

Intracortical disinhibition seems to be a marker that has been consistently observed in MPS. Future prospective cohort studies could provide new insights in the development of neoplastic and maladaptive changes occurring in chronic pain syndromes and help the development of new therapeutic options.

Attenuation of myogenic orofacial nociception and mechanical hypersensitivity by viral mediated enkephalin overproduction in male and female rats

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies have tested the use of an engineered herpes virus to treat pain. We hypothesized that subcutaneous injections of an engineered herpes virus that expresses enkephalin would attenuate orofacial nociception and hypersensitivity in male and female rats by a central mechanism.

METHODS

Herpes virus was injected subcutaneously around the mouth of male and female rats seventy-two hours before ligatures were placed on the masseter tendon, control treatment groups received either no virus or no ligature. Enkephalin expression was measured and von Frey filament testing and meal duration were utilized to measure mechanical hypersensitivity and the nociceptive response, respectively. Naloxone or naloxone methiodide was administered to rats injected with the enkephalin expressing virus to test if enkephalin was acting peripherally or centrally.

RESULTS

Ligature significantly lengthened meal duration and reduced the threshold to von Frey filaments for 18 days. Infection with the enkephalin transgene significantly decreased this response for at least 11 days but only in male rats. Virus injection significantly increased expression of enkephalin in the mental nerve that innervates the mouth region, the trigeminal ganglia and the trigeminal nucleus caudalis but no increase was observed in the masseter nerve after virus injection. Naloxone but not naloxone methiodide reversed the response to the enkephaline expressing virus.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggests that sex should be a considered when using this virus and that viral transfection of the mental nerve with an enkephalin transgene can reduce nociception and hypersensitivity through a central mechanism.

Infusion of Gabrα6 siRNA into the trigeminal ganglia increased the myogenic orofacial nociceptive response of ovariectomized rats treated with 17β-estradiol

High levels of 17β-estradiol (E2) have been found to reduce inflammatory temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. A search for genes effected by a high concentration of estradiol showed an increase in GABAA receptor subunit alpha 6 (Gabrα6) in the trigeminal ganglia (TG). Blockade of Gabrα6 expression in the TG increases masseter muscle nociception in male rats, but the relationship between estradiol's effect on nociception and Gabrα6 expression remains unclear in females. To address this knowledge gap we hypothesized that reducing Gabrα6 expression in the TG will increase the orofacial nociceptive response of ovariectomized female rats treated with estradiol. To administer hormone osmotic pumps were placed in rats that dispensed a low diestrus plasma concentration of 17β-estradiol, in addition, 17β-estradiol was injected to produce a high proestrus plasma concentration of estradiol. A ligature was then placed around the masseter tendon to induce a nociceptive response; a model for TMJ muscle pain. Gabrα6 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was later infused into the TG and the nociceptive response was measured using von Frey filaments and a meal duration assay. GABAA receptor expression was measured in the TG and trigeminal nucleus caudalis and upper cervical region (Vc-C1). Ligature significantly increased the nociceptive response but a high proestrus concentration of 17β-estradiol attenuated this response. Gabrα6 siRNA infusion decreased Gabrα6 expression in the TG and Vc-C1 but increased the nociceptive response after 17β-estradiol treatment. The results suggest estradiol decreased the orofacial nociceptive response, in part, by causing an increase in Gabrα6 expression.

Meal duration as a measure of orofacial nociceptive responses in rodents

A lengthening in meal duration can be used to measure an increase in orofacial mechanical hyperalgesia having similarities to the guarding behavior of humans with orofacial pain. To measure meal duration unrestrained rats are continuously kept in sound attenuated, computerized feeding modules for days to weeks to record feeding behavior. These sound-attenuated chambers are equipped with chow pellet dispensers. The dispenser has a pellet trough with a photobeam placed at the bottom of the trough and when a rodent removes a pellet from the feeder trough this beam is no longer blocked, signaling the computer to drop another pellet. The computer records the date and time when the pellets were taken from the trough and from this data the experimenter can calculate the meal parameters. When calculating meal parameters a meal was defined based on previous work and was set at 10 min (in other words when the animal does not eat for 10 min that would be the end of the animal's meal) also the minimum meal size was set at 3 pellets. The meal duration, meal number, food intake, meal size and inter-meal interval can then be calculated by the software for any time period that the operator desires. Of the feeding parameters that can be calculated meal duration has been shown to be a continuous noninvasive biological marker of orofacial nociception in male rats and mice and female rats. Meal duration measurements are quantitative, require no training or animal manipulation, require cortical participation, and do not compete with other experimentally induced behaviors. These factors distinguish this assay from other operant or reflex methods for recording orofacial nociception.