Dos Santos Alves JM, Viana KF, Pereira AF, Lima Júnior RCP, Vale ML, Pereira KMA, Gondim DV. Oral carcinogenesis triggers a nociceptive behavior and c-Fos expression in rats' trigeminal pathway.
Oral Dis 2022;
29:1531-1541. [PMID:
35244314 DOI:
10.1111/odi.14176]
[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: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To recognize changes that occur along the trigeminal pathway in oral cancer in order to establish an effective approach to pain control.
METHODS
Wistar rats were divided into control and 4-NQO-groups for 8, 12, 16, or 20 weeks. 4-NQO suspension was administered on the animals` tongues. Mechanical hyperalgesia, assessment of facial expressions and an open field test were performed. After euthanasia, the animals' tongues were removed for macro and microscopic analysis. c-Fos expression was analyzed in the trigeminal pathway structures.
RESULTS
4-NQO induced time-dependent macroscopic lesions that were compatible with neoplastic tumors. Histopathological analysis confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma in 50% of the animals on the 20th week. There was a significant nociceptive threshold reduction during the first two weeks, followed by a threshold return to the baseline levels, decreasing again from the 12th week. Facial nociceptive expression scores were observed on the 20th week, while increased grooming and exploratory activity were observed on the 8th week. Trigeminal ganglion showed an increased c-Fos immunoexpression on the 20th week and in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis, it occurred on the 16th and 20th. The long-term carcinogenic exposure caused changes in the nociceptive behavior and c-Fos expression in the rats' trigeminal pathway.
Collapse