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Arora I, Mal P, Arora P, Paul A, Kumar M. GABAergic implications in anxiety and related disorders. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 724:150218. [PMID: 38865810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that anxiety disorders arise from an imbalance in the functioning of brain circuits that govern the modulation of emotional responses to possibly threatening stimuli. The circuits under consideration in this context include the amygdala's bottom-up activity, which signifies the existence of stimuli that may be seen as dangerous. Moreover, these circuits encompass top-down regulatory processes that originate in the prefrontal cortex, facilitating the communication of the emotional significance associated with the inputs. Diverse databases (e.g., Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar) were searched for literature using a combination of different terms e.g., "anxiety", "stress", "neuroanatomy", and "neural circuits", etc. A decrease in GABAergic activity is present in both anxiety disorders and severe depression. Research on cerebral functional imaging in depressive individuals has shown reduced levels of GABA within the cortical regions. Additionally, animal studies demonstrated that a reduction in the expression of GABAA/B receptors results in a behavioral pattern resembling anxiety. The amygdala consists of inhibitory networks composed of GABAergic interneurons, responsible for modulating anxiety responses in both normal and pathological conditions. The GABAA receptor has allosteric sites (e.g., α/γ, γ/β, and α/β) which enable regulation of neuronal inhibition in the amygdala. These sites serve as molecular targets for anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepine and barbiturates. Alterations in the levels of naturally occurring regulators of these allosteric sites, along with alterations to the composition of the GABAA receptor subunits, could potentially act as mechanisms via which the extent of neuronal inhibition is diminished in pathological anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Mal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Poonam Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Anushka Paul
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
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Wei N, Guo Z, Qiu M, Ye R, Shao X, Liang Y, Liu B, Fang J, Fang J, Du J. Astrocyte Activation in the ACC Contributes to Comorbid Anxiety in Chronic Inflammatory Pain and Involves in The Excitation-Inhibition Imbalance. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:6934-6949. [PMID: 38363535 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Neurons within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) orchestrate the co-occurrence of chronic pain and anxiety. The ACC hyperactivity plays a crucial role in the emotional impact of neuropathic pain. Astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammatory is responsible for regulating the balance between excitation-inhibition (E/I) in the brain. However, there is limited understanding of the possible contributions of astrocytes in the ACC to comorbidity of anxiety and chronic inflammatory pain. This paper aims to investigate the possible contribution of astrocytes in the ACC to the comorbidity between anxiety and chronic inflammatory pain, as well as their involvement in the E/I imbalance of pyramidal cells. Our results show that CFA rats displayed allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors. The E/I balance in the ACC shifts to excitement in comorbidity of chronic pain and anxiety by western blotting, and electrophysiological recording. Result of RNA-Seq also indicated that E/I imbalance and neuroinflammation of ACC were involved in pain-anxiety comorbidity. Then, positive cells of GFAP but not Iba1 in the contralateral ACC were increased; the mRNA expression of GFAP and its activation-related proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in the contralateral ACC were also elevated. Furthermore, specific chemogenic inhibition of ACC astrocytes reversed comorbid pain and anxiety and suppressed high ACC excitability. Our data suggest that astrocytes participate in comorbid pain and anxiety and excitation-inhibition imbalance in ACC. Inhibition astrocyte activation can reduce anxiety related to pain and restore the imbalance in the ACC. These findings shed light on the involvement of astrocytes in comorbid conditions, offering valuable insights into a potential therapeutic approach for the co-occurrence of chronic pain and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naixuan Wei
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Zi Guo
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Mengting Qiu
- Fuchun Community Health Service Center of Fuyang District, Hangzhou, 311400, China
| | - Ru Ye
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Boyi Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Junfan Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Junying Du
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Key Laboratory for Research of Acupuncture Treatment and Transformation of Emotional Diseases, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Wu Z, Shen Z, Xu Y, Chen S, Xiao S, Ye J, Zhang H, Ma X, Zhu Y, Zhu X, Jiang Y, Fang J, Liu B, He X, Gao S, Shao X, Liu J, Fang J. A neural circuit associated with anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic inflammatory pain and the anxiolytic effects of electroacupuncture. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14520. [PMID: 38018559 PMCID: PMC11017463 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Negative emotions induced by chronic pain are a serious clinical problem. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a clinically proven safe and effective method to manage pain-related negative emotions. However, the circuit mechanisms underlying the effect of EA treatment on negative emotions remain unclear. METHODS Plantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was performed to establish a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) tracing was used to identify excitatory synaptic transmission from the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) to the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Employing chemogenetic approaches, we examined the role of the rACC-DRN circuit in chronic pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors and investigated whether EA could reverse chronic pain-induced dysfunctions of the rACC-DRN circuit and anxiety-like behaviors. RESULTS We found that chemogenetic activation of the rACC-DRN circuit alleviated CFA-induced anxiety-like behaviors, while chemogenetic inhibition of the rACC-DRN circuit resulted in short-term CFA-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Further research revealed that the development of CFA-induced anxiety-like behaviors was attributed to the dysfunction of rACC CaMKII neurons projecting to DRN serotonergic neurons (rACCCaMKII-DRN5-HT neurons) but not rACC CaMKII neurons projecting to DRN GABAergic neurons (rACCCaMKII-DRNGABA neurons). This is supported by the findings that chemogenetic activation of the rACCCaMKII-DRN5-HT circuit alleviates anxiety-like behaviors in rats with chronic pain, whereas neither chemogenetic inhibition nor chemogenetic activation of the rACCCaMKII-DRNGABA circuit altered CFA chronic pain-evoked anxiety-like behaviors in rats. More importantly, we found that EA could reverse chronic pain-induced changes in the activity of rACC CaMKII neurons and DRN 5-HTergic neurons and that chemogenetic inhibition of the rACCCaMKII-DRN5-HT circuit blocked the therapeutic effects of EA on chronic pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the reversal of rACCCaMKII-DRN5-HT circuit dysfunction may be a mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of EA on chronic pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustionthe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zui Shen
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yingling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu LaboratoryZhejiang University Medical CenterHangzhouChina
| | - Shaozong Chen
- Institution of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinanChina
| | - Siqi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jiayu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xinyi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xixiao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yongliang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Junfan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Boyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaofen He
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Shuzhong Gao
- Institution of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinanChina
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jinggen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- National Key Laboratory of Drug ResearchShanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture ResearchThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustionthe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
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4
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Yang P, Wang T, He YJ, Su SY. Research Trends of Acupuncture Therapy for Chronic Pain-Related Depression or Anxiety from 2003 to 2023: A Bibliometric Analysis. J Pain Res 2023; 16:4301-4315. [PMID: 38116394 PMCID: PMC10729835 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s436434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic pain (CP) as a long-lasting stressor can often cause mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. The comorbidity of CP and mood disorders poses challenges for treatment and increases healthcare costs. Acupuncture has emerged as a widely utilized approach to alleviate both CP and mood disorders. However, there is a lack of well-established bibliometric analyses in this area of research. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the current hotspots and research trends regarding the use of acupuncture for treating CP-related depression or anxiety. Methods We searched the Web of Science Core Collection spanning from 2003 to 2023 to identify relevant literature about the use of acupuncture for treating CP-related depression or anxiety. Bibliometric and visualization analyses were performed using CiteSpace 5.7.R5 and Vosviewer 1.6.19 software. Results A total of 254 articles published between 2003 and 2023 were included, revealing an upward trajectory with some fluctuations in publication numbers over the past two decades. China and the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were the most productive country and institution in this field. Fang JQ and Vickers AJ ascended as the most prolific and influential authors, respectively. Trials was the journal with the highest number of publications, while Pain and BMJ-British Medical Journal exhibited the highest citation and centrality, respectively. "Acupuncture", "depression", and "chronic pain" were the top three keywords. The hotspots in this domain encompass types of chronic pain that predispose to negative mood, including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and neuropathic pain. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), mechanisms, and evidence-based evaluations are the main research directions. Conclusion This study uses bibliometric techniques to analyze the research hotspots and forefronts of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach for CP-related depression or anxiety. Our objective is to provide researchers with valuable references and identify research focal points for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Yang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Jun He
- Faculty of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Yong Su
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Preventive Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
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Yang P, Chen H, Wang T, Su H, Li J, He Y, Su S. Electroacupuncture promotes synaptic plasticity in rats with chronic inflammatory pain-related depression by upregulating BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3310. [PMID: 37948105 PMCID: PMC10726860 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) frequently coincides with depression among patients. The onset and development of pain and depression are associated with altered neural synaptic plasticity. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively relieve CIP and depression. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully illustrated. OBJECTIVE To explore whether EA can relieve CIP and depression by regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and the present study offers foundational evidence for the efficacy of EA in treating CIP-related depression (CIPD). METHODS Rats were divided into four groups: 0.9% normal saline group, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) group, CFA + duloxetine group, and CFA + EA group. Pain hypersensitivity was detected by mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal paw withdrawal latency, and the depression level was gauged using the open field test, the sucrose preference test, and the forced swimming test. The morphology of the hippocampal neurons was observed using Nissl staining. The protein expression levels of synuclein (Syn), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs), tyrosine-protein kinase B (TrKB), p-TrkB, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and p-CREB were measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qRT-PCR). The content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the glutamic acid (Glu) content was determined using the ultraviolet colorimetry method. The hippocampal neuron ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS EA could alleviate CIP and related depressive behaviors as well as protect the hippocampal neuronal structure from damage and regulate 5-HT/GABA/Glu levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, EA could significantly increase the expression of synapse-associated proteins such as PSD-95 and Syn by activating the BDNF/TrKB/CREB signaling pathway. CONCLUSION EA improves pain and depressive behaviors in CIPD rats, and the mechanism may be related to synaptic plasticity mediated by the BDNF/TrKB/CREB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Yang
- The First School of Clinical MedicineGuangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Department of NursingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
| | - Tian Wang
- The First School of Clinical MedicineGuangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
| | - Hong Su
- The First School of Clinical MedicineGuangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
| | - Jing Li
- The First School of Clinical MedicineGuangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
| | - Yujun He
- Faculty of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and TuinaGuangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
| | - Shengyong Su
- Department of Acupuncture and MoxibustionThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Preventive Medicine of Traditional Chinese MedicineNanningGuangxiChina
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Li X, Zhu Y, Sun H, Shen Z, Sun J, Xiao S, He X, Liu B, Wang Y, Hu Y, Liu B, Liang Y, Jiang Y, Du J, Xu C, Fang J, Shao X. Electroacupuncture Inhibits Pain Memory and Related Anxiety-Like Behaviors by Blockading the GABA B Receptor Function in the Midcingulate Cortex. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6613-6626. [PMID: 37468738 PMCID: PMC10533721 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03467-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Pain memory is commonly considered an underlying cause of chronic pain and is also responsible for a range of anxiety. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to ameliorate pain memories and exert anti-anxiety effects. Previous research has indicated that GABAergic neurons and/or GABA receptors (GABARs) in the midcingulate cortex (MCC) have potential associations with chronic pain and anxiety. However, there is no known empirical research that has specifically studied the effects of EA on the GABAergic system in the MCC. Here, we used cross-injection of carrageenan to establish the pain memory rats model. Immunofluorescence were used to detect the excitability of GABAergic neurons within MCC. Von Frey filament, elevated zero maze, and open field tests were used to measure mechanical allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors, combined with chemogenetic and pharmacologic technologies. Finally, this study provides evidence that pain memories contribute to generalized negative emotions and that downregulating the activity of GABAergic neurons within MCC could block pain memories and reverse anxiety emotion. Specifically, GABABR is involved in pain memory and related anxiety-like behaviors. Activation of GABAergic neurons in the MCC did not reverse the effects of EA on pain memories and related anxiety-like behaviors, whereas these effects could be reversed by a GABABR agonist. These findings highlight the functional significance of GABABR in the EA-mediated attenuation of pain memories and related anxiety-like behaviors in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Li
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yichen Zhu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiju Sun
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zui Shen
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Sun
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Siqi Xiao
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofen He
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Boyu Liu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yifang Wang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuxin Hu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Boyi Liu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Liang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongliang Jiang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junying Du
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chi Xu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No.548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China.
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Duan Y, Li Q, Zhou Y, Chen S, Li Y, Zang Y. Activation of the TNF-α-Necroptosis Pathway in Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneurons of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Contributes to Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15454. [PMID: 37895135 PMCID: PMC10607712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The hyperexcitability of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been implicated in the development of chronic pain. As one of the key causes of ACC hyperexcitation, disinhibition of the ACC may be closely related to the dysfunction of inhibitory parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons (PV-INs). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the ACC PV-INs injury remains unclear. The present study demonstrates that spared sciatic nerve injury (SNI) induces an imbalance in the excitation and inhibition (E/I) of the ACC. To test whether tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) upregulation in the ACC after SNI activates necroptosis and participates in PV-INs damage, we performed a differential analysis of transcriptome sequencing using data from neuropathic pain models and found that the expression of genes key to the TNF-α-necroptosis pathway were upregulated. TNF-α immunoreactivity (IR) signals in the ACCs of SNI rats were co-located with p-RIP3- and PV-IR, or p-MLKL- and PV-IR signals. We then systematically detected the expression and cell localization of necroptosis-related proteins, including kinase RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and their phosphorylated states, in the ACC of SNI rats. Except for RIP1 and MLKL, the levels of these proteins were significantly elevated in the contralateral ACC and mainly expressed in PV-INs. Blocking the ACC TNF-α-necroptosis pathway by microinjecting TNF-α neutralizing antibody or using an siRNA knockdown to block expression of MLKL in the ACC alleviated SNI-induced pain hypersensitivity and inhibited the upregulation of TNF-α and p-MLKL. Targeting TNF-α-triggered necroptosis within ACC PV-INs may help to correct PV-INs injury and E/I imbalance in the ACC in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Duan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Pain Research Center, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.D.); (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qiaoyun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Pain Research Center, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.D.); (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yaohui Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Pain Research Center, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.D.); (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Shaoxia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou 510060, China;
| | - Yongyong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Pain Research Center, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.D.); (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Ying Zang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Pain Research Center, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.D.); (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.)
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8
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Journée SH, Mathis VP, Fillinger C, Veinante P, Yalcin I. Janus effect of the anterior cingulate cortex: Pain and emotion. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105362. [PMID: 37595650 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, clinical and preclinical studies point to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a site of interest for several neurological and psychiatric conditions. The ACC plays a critical role in emotion, autonomic regulation, pain processing, attention, memory and decision making. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the involvement of the ACC in the emotional component of pain and its comorbidity with emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Thanks to the development of animal models combined with state-of-the-art technologies, we now have a better mechanistic understanding of the functions of the ACC. Hence, the primary aim of this review is to compile the most recent preclinical studies on the role of ACC in the emotional component and consequences of chronic pain. Herein, we thus thoroughly describe the pain-induced electrophysiological, molecular and anatomical alterations in the ACC and in its related circuits. Finally, we discuss the next steps that are needed to strengthen our understanding of the involvement of the ACC in emotional and pain processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Journée
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Victor P Mathis
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Clémentine Fillinger
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre Veinante
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ipek Yalcin
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France; Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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9
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Yang P, Chen H, Wang T, Li L, Su H, Li J, He Y, Su S. Electroacupuncture attenuates chronic inflammatory pain and depression comorbidity by inhibiting hippocampal neuronal apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Neurosci Lett 2023; 812:137411. [PMID: 37516346 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
In chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) and depression, neuroapoptosis has been identified as a contributing factor. Electroacupuncture (EA) shows promise as an alternative therapy for this comorbidity. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EA on hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in rats with CIP and depression. Rats received plantar injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) on days 0 and 14. They were then divided into groups: sham operation, model, EA, and duloxetine. EA was administered at Hegu (LI4) and Taichong (LR3) from days 15 to 28, while the duloxetine group received duloxetine and distilled water daily (0.1 mg/ml). Pain behavior was assessed using the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) tests. Depression-like behavior was evaluated through the sucrose preference test (SPT), open-field test (OFT), and forced swim test (FST). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was employed to assess pathological changes in the hippocampus. Nerve cell apoptosis was determined using TUNEL fluorescence staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt. EA demonstrated significant pain intensity reduction and alleviation of pain-related depressive symptoms. Our findings from the HE staining confirmed that CIP induced by CFA led to morphological changes in the hippocampus, while EA effectively reversed these pathological alterations. Moreover, EA intervention remarkably reduced neuronal apoptosis and exhibited an upregulation of Bcl-2 protein expression accompanied by a decrease in Bax expression. Additionally, EA activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Overall, our study suggests that EA holds the potential to improve pain and depressive behaviors in rats with CIP and depression comorbidity, potentially mediated through the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, leading to a reduction in hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Yang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Preventive Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Tian Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ling Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Hong Su
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jing Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yujun He
- Faculty of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shengyong Su
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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10
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Zhang Q, Zhou M, Huo M, Si Y, Zhang Y, Fang Y, Zhang D. Mechanisms of acupuncture-electroacupuncture on inflammatory pain. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069231202882. [PMID: 37678839 PMCID: PMC10515556 DOI: 10.1177/17448069231202882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture, as a traditional treatment, has been extensively used in China for thousands of years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is recommended for the treatment of 77 diseases. And 16 of these diseases are related to inflammatory pain. As a combination of traditional acupuncture and modern electrotherapy, electroacupuncture (EA) has satisfactory analgesic effects on various acute and chronic pain. Because of its good analgesic effects and no side effects, acupuncture has been widely accepted all over the world. Despite the increase in the number of studies, the mechanisms via which acupuncture exerts its analgesic effects have not been conclusively established. A literature review of related research is of great significance to elaborate on its mechanisms and to inform on further research directions. We elucidated on its mechanisms of action on inflammatory pain from two levels: peripheral and central. It includes the mechanisms of acupuncture in the periphery (immune cells and neurons, purinergic pathway, nociceptive ion channel, cannabinoid receptor and endogenous opioid peptide system) and central nervous system (TPRV1, glutamate and its receptors, glial cells, GABAergic interneurons and signaling molecules). In this review, we collected relevant recent studies to systematically explain the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating inflammatory pain, with a view to providing direction for future applications of acupuncture in inflammatory pain and promoting clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiang Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingzhu Huo
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxin Si
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Youlin Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxin Fang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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11
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Li QY, Duan YW, Zhou YH, Chen SX, Li YY, Zang Y. NLRP3-Mediated Piezo1 Upregulation in ACC Inhibitory Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneurons Is Involved in Pain Processing after Peripheral Nerve Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13035. [PMID: 36361825 PMCID: PMC9655876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is particularly critical for pain information processing. Peripheral nerve injury triggers neuronal hyper-excitability in the ACC and mediates descending facilitation to the spinal dorsal horn. The mechanically gated ion channel Piezo1 is involved in the transmission of pain information in the peripheral nervous system. However, the pain-processing role of Piezo1 in the brain is unknown. In this work, we found that spared (sciatic) nerve injury (SNI) increased Piezo1 protein levels in inhibitory parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons (PV-INs) but not in glutaminergic CaMKⅡ+ neurons, in the bilateral ACC. A reduction in the number of PV-INs but not in the number of CaMKⅡ+ neurons and a significant reduction in inhibitory synaptic terminals was observed in the SNI chronic pain model. Further, observation of morphological changes in the microglia in the ACC showed their activated amoeba-like transformation, with a reduction in process length and an increase in cell body area. Combined with the encapsulation of Piezo1-positive neurons by Iba1+ microglia, the loss of PV-INs after SNI might result from phagocytosis by the microglia. In cellular experiments, administration of recombinant rat TNF-α (rrTNF) to the BV2 cell culture or ACC neuron primary culture elevated the protein levels of Piezo1 and NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). The administration of the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 in these cells blocked the rrTNF-induced expression of caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (key downstream factors of the activated NLRP3 inflammasome) in vitro and reversed the SNI-induced Piezo1 overexpression in the ACC and alleviated SNI-induced allodynia in vivo. These results suggest that NLRP3 may be the key factor in causing Piezo1 upregulation in SNI, promoting an imbalance between ACC excitation and inhibition by inducing the microglial phagocytosis of PV-INs and, thereby, facilitating spinal pain transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Yun Li
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yi-Wen Duan
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yao-Hui Zhou
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shao-Xia Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yong-Yong Li
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ying Zang
- Pain Research Center and Department of Physiology, Zhongshan Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road. 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
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12
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Neurocircuit of chronic pain and pain-induced negative emotions and regulatory mechanisms of electroacupuncture. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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13
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Wu M, Chen Y, Shen Z, Zhu Y, Xiao S, Zhu X, Wu Z, Liu J, Xu C, Yao P, Xu W, Liang Y, Liu B, Du J, He X, Liu B, Jin X, Fang J, Shao X. Electroacupuncture Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Neuropathic Pain via Regulating Different Dopamine Receptors of the Basolateral Amygdala. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5299-5311. [PMID: 35696012 PMCID: PMC9395447 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02911-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain, such as neuropathic pain, causes anxiety and other negative emotions, which aggravates the pain sensation and increases the risk of chronic pain over time. Dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) have been implicated in mediating anxiety-related behaviors, but their potential roles in the BLA in neuropathic pain-induced anxiety have not been examined. Electroacupuncture (EA) is commonly used to treat chronic pain and emotional disorders, but it is still unclear whether EA plays a role in analgesia and anxiety relief through DRD1 and DRD2 in the BLA. Here, we used western blotting to examine the expression of DRD1 and DRD2 and pharmacological regulation combined with behavioral testing to detect anxiety-like behaviors. We observed that injection of the DRD1 antagonist SCH23390 or the DRD2 agonist quinpirole into the BLA contributed to anxiety-like behaviors in naive mice. EA also activated DRD1 or inhibited DRD2 in the BLA to alleviate anxiety-like behaviors. To further demonstrate the role of DRD1 and DRD2 in the BLA in spared nerve injury (SNI) model-induced anxiety-like behaviors, we injected the DRD1 agonist SKF38393 or the DRD2 antagonist sulpiride into the BLA. We found that both activation of DRD1 and inhibition of DRD2 could alleviate SNI-induced anxiety-like behaviors, and EA had a similar effect of alleviating anxiety. Additionally, neither DRD1 nor DRD2 in the BLA affected SNI-induced mechanical allodynia, but EA did. Overall, our work provides new insights into the mechanisms of neuropathic pain-induced anxiety and a possible explanation for the effect of EA treatment on anxiety caused by chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Yeqing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Zui Shen
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Siqi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Xixiao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Zemin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Jinggen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Chi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Pingan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Weiwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Boyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Junying Du
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Xiaofen He
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Boyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China
| | - Xiaoming Jin
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China.
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang DistrictZhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, China.
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14
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Cai X, Qiu L, Wang C, Yang H, Zhou Z, Mao M, Zhu Y, Wen Y, Cai W, Zhu W, Sun J. Hippocampal Inhibitory Synapsis Deficits Induced by α5-Containing GABA A Receptors Mediate Chronic Neuropathic Pain-Related Cognitive Impairment. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6049-6061. [PMID: 35849280 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02955-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain often leads to cognitive impairment, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAARs) are the major inhibitory receptors in the brain, of which the α5-containing GABAARs (GABAARs-α5) are implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders with cognitive deficits. However, whether GABAARs-α5 are involved in chronic neuropathic pain-related cognitive impairment remains unknown. In this study, the rats with chronic neuropathic pain induced by right sciatic nerve ligation injury (SNI) exhibited cognitive impairment with declined spontaneous alternation in Y-maze test and discrimination index in novel object recognition test. The GABAARs-α5 expressing on parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons increased remarkably in hippocampus, resulting in decreased mean frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Significantly, antagonizing the GABAARs-α5 by L655708 rescued weakened inhibitory synaptic transmission and cognitive impairment induced by chronic neuropathic pain. Taken together, these data suggest that the GABAARs-α5 play a crucial role in chronic neuropathic pain-induced cognitive impairment by weakening inhibitory synaptic transmission, which may provide insights into the pharmacologic treatment of chronic neuropathic pain-related cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechun Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoran Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhui Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yunqing Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yazhou Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenlan Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Shao FB, Fang JF, Wang SS, Qiu MT, Xi DN, Jin XM, Liu JG, Shao XM, Shen Z, Liang Y, Fang JQ, Du JY. Anxiolytic effect of GABAergic neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex in a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain. Mol Brain 2021; 14:139. [PMID: 34507588 PMCID: PMC8431944 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain easily leads to concomitant mood disorders, and the excitability of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) pyramidal neurons (PNs) is involved in chronic pain-related anxiety. However, the mechanism by which PNs regulate pain-related anxiety is still unknown. The GABAergic system plays an important role in modulating neuronal activity. In this paper, we aimed to study how the GABAergic system participates in regulating the excitability of ACC PNs, consequently affecting chronic inflammatory pain-related anxiety. A rat model of CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain displayed anxiety-like behaviors, increased the excitability of ACC PNs, and reduced inhibitory presynaptic transmission; however, the number of GAD65/67 was not altered. Interestingly, intra-ACC injection of the GABAAR agonist muscimol relieved anxiety-like behaviors but had no effect on chronic inflammatory pain. Intra-ACC injection of the GABAAR antagonist picrotoxin induced anxiety-like behaviors but had no effect on pain in normal rats. Notably, chemogenetic activation of GABAergic neurons in the ACC alleviated chronic inflammatory pain and pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors, enhanced inhibitory presynaptic transmission, and reduced the excitability of ACC PNs. Chemogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons in the ACC led to pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors, reduced inhibitory presynaptic transmission, and enhanced the excitability of ACC PNs but had no effect on pain in normal rats. We demonstrate that the GABAergic system mediates a reduction in inhibitory presynaptic transmission in the ACC, which leads to enhanced excitability of pyramidal neurons in the ACC and is associated with chronic inflammatory pain-related anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Bing Shao
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jun-Fan Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Si-Si Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Meng-Ting Qiu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Dan-Ning Xi
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Jin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, NB Building, 320w 15th Street #141, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China.,Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Shao
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Zui Shen
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jian-Qiao Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Jun-Ying Du
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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