Héctor Isaac Rocha-González

Pronociceptive role of peripheral and spinal 5-HT7 receptors in the formalin test

&NA; The possible pronociceptive role of peripheral and spinal 5‐HT7 receptors in the formalin test was assessed. Local administration of 5‐HT7 (SB‐269970, 2.5–77.1 nmol/paw), but not 5‐HT1A (WAY‐100635, 1–60 nmol/paw), receptor antagonist significantly reduced formalin‐induced flinching. Local 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT, 3–100 nmol/paw) or 5‐carboxamidotryptamine (5‐CT, 0.3–3 nmol/paw) (a 5‐HT7/1A receptor agonist) augmented, in a dose‐dependent manner, 0.5% formalin‐induced nociceptive behavior. The local pronociceptive effect of 5‐HT or 5‐CT was significantly reduced by SB‐269970 (25 and 77.1 nmol/paw), but not by WAY‐100635 (10 nmol/paw). 5‐HT7 receptors were observed in myelinated and unmyelinated axons of the digital nerves in rat hindpaw. Intrathecal SB‐269970 (2.5–77.1 nmol/rat) or WAY‐100635 (1–50 nmol/rat) did not modify 1% formalin‐induced nociceptive behavior. Spinal 5‐HT (25–200 nmol/rat) significantly reduced formalin‐induced flinching behavior during phase 2. At lower doses (0.1–3 nmol/rat) intrathecal 5‐CT dose‐dependently increased flinching during phase 2. In contrast, higher doses (10–30 nmol/rat) of 5‐CT reduced formalin‐induced nociceptive behavior during both phases. The spinal pronociceptive effect of 5‐CT was reduced by SB‐269970 (7.7–77 nmol/rat), but not by WAY‐100635 (10 nmol/rat). In addition, the spinal antinociceptive effect of 5‐CT was partially reversed by WAY‐100635 (10 nmol/rat). The spinal antinociceptive effect of 5‐HT was unaffected either by SB‐269970 (77 nmol/rat) or WAY‐100635 (10 nmol/rat). Data suggest that 5‐HT7, but not 5‐HT1A, receptors play a pronociceptive role in peripheral and spinal sites in the rat formalin test.

Blockade of 5-HT7 receptors reduces tactile allodynia in the rat.

This study assessed the role of systemic and spinal 5-HT(7) receptors on rats submitted to spinal nerve injury. In addition, the 5-HT(7) receptors level in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord was also determined. Tactile allodynia was induced by L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation. Systemic (0.01-10mg/kg) or spinal (0.3-30 μg) administration of the selective 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist SB-269970 but not vehicle reduced in a dose-dependent manner established tactile allodynia. This effect was maintained for about 6h. SB-269970 was more potent and effective by the spinal administration route than through systemic injection. Spinal nerve ligation reduced expression of 5-HT(7) receptors in the ipsilateral but not contralateral dorsal root ganglia. Moreover, 5-HT(7) receptor levels were lower in the ipsilateral dorsal spinal cord of neuropathic rats compared to naïve and sham rats. No changes in the receptor levels were observed in the contralateral dorsal spinal cord and in both regions of the ventral spinal cord. Data suggest that spinal 5-HT(7) receptors play a pronociceptive role in neuropathic rats. Results also indicate that spinal nerve injury leads to a reduced 5-HT(7) receptors level in pain processing-related areas which may result from its nociceptive role in this model. Data suggest that selective 5-HT(7) receptor antagonists may function as analgesics in nerve injury pain states.

Participation of peripheral P2Y1, P2Y6 and P2Y11 receptors in formalin-induced inflammatory pain in rats.

Metabotropic P2Y receptors subfamily consists of eight functional mammalian receptors. Specifically, P2Y1, P2Y6 and P2Y11 receptors have been described in the sensory nervous system, but their participation, at peripheral level, in behavioral pain models is scarcely understood. This study assessed the role of peripheral P2Y1, P2Y6 and P2Y11 receptors in formalin-induced inflammatory pain. Ipsilateral, but not contralateral peripheral pre-treatment with the endogenous P2Y1 (ADP, 100-1000nmol/paw), P2Y6 (UDP, 180-300nmol/paw) and P2Y11 (ATP, 100-1000nmol/paw), or selective P2Y1 (MRS2365, 0.1-10nmol/paw), P2Y6 (PSB0474, 0.1-0.10pmol/paw) and P2Y11 (NF546, 0.3-3nmol/paw) receptor agonists increased 0.5% formalin-induced flinching behavior. Concordantly, peripheral pre-treatment with the selective P2Y1 (MRS2500, 0.01-10pmol/paw), P2Y6 (MRS2578, 3-30nmol/paw) and P2Y11 (NF340, 1-10nmol/paw) receptor antagonists significantly decreased 1% formalin-induced flinching behavior. Furthermore, the pronociceptive effect of ADP (100nmol/paw) or MRS2365 (10nmol/paw), UDP (300nmol/paw) or PSB0474 (10pmol/paw) and ATP (1000nmol/paw) or NF546 (3nmol/paw) was blocked by the selective P2Y1 (MRS2500, 0.01nmol/paw), P2Y6 (MRS2578, 3nmol/paw), and P2Y11 (NF340, 1nmol/paw) receptor antagonists, respectively. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of P2Y1 (66kDa), P2Y6 (36kDa) and P2Y11 (75kDa) receptors in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and sciatic nerve. Results suggest that peripheral activation of P2Y1, P2Y6 and P2Y11 receptors plays a pronociceptive role in formalin-induced pain.

Role of anoctamin-1 and bestrophin-1 in spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain in rats

BackgroundCalcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) activation induces membrane depolarization by increasing chloride efflux in primary sensory neurons that can facilitate action potential generation. Previous studies suggest that CaCCs family members bestrophin-1 and anoctamin-1 are involved in inflammatory pain. However, their role in neuropathic pain is unclear. In this investigation we assessed the involvement of these CaCCs family members in rats subjected to the L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation. In addition, anoctamin-1 and bestrophin-1 mRNA and protein expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord was also determined in the presence and absence of selective inhibitors.ResultsL5/L6 spinal nerve ligation induced mechanical tactile allodynia. Intrathecal administration of non-selective CaCCs inhibitors (NPPB, 9-AC and NFA) dose-dependently reduced tactile allodynia. Intrathecal administration of selective CaCCs inhibitors (T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01) also dose-dependently diminished tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Anoctamin-1 and bestrophin-1 mRNA and protein were expressed in the dorsal spinal cord and DRG of naïve, sham and neuropathic rats. L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation rose mRNA and protein expression of anoctamin-1, but not bestrophin-1, in the dorsal spinal cord and DRG from day 1 to day 14 after nerve ligation. In addition, repeated administration of CaCCs inhibitors (T16Ainh-A01, CaCCinh-A01 or NFA) or anti-anoctamin-1 antibody prevented spinal nerve ligation-induced rises in anoctamin-1 mRNA and protein expression. Following spinal nerve ligation, the compound action potential generation of putative C fibers increased while selective CaCCs inhibitors (T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01) attenuated such increase.ConclusionsThere is functional anoctamin-1 and bestrophin-1 expression in rats at sites related to nociceptive processing. Blockade of these CaCCs suppresses compound action potential generation in putative C fibers and lessens established tactile allodynia. As CaCCs activity contributes to neuropathic pain maintenance, selective inhibition of their activity may function as a tool to generate analgesia in nerve injury pain states.

Role of hydrogen sulfide in the pain processing of non-diabetic and diabetic rats.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter endogenously generated from the metabolism of L-cysteine by action of two main enzymes called cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). This gas has been involved in the pain processing and insulin resistance produced during diabetes development. However, there is no evidence about its participation in the peripheral neuropathy induced by this metabolic disorder. Experimental diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (50mg/kg, i.p.) in female Wistar rats. Streptozotocin injection increased formalin-evoked flinching in diabetic rats as compared to non-diabetic rats after 2 weeks. Peripheral administration of NaHS (an exogenous donor of H2S) and L-cysteine (an endogenous donor of H2S) dose-dependently increased flinching behavior in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Contrariwise, hydroxylamine (HA, a CBS inhibitor) and DL-propargylglycine (PPG, a CSE inhibitor) decreased formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in both experimental groups. In addition, an ineffective dose of HA and PPG partially prevented the L-cysteine-induced hyperalgesia in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Interestingly, HA and PPG were three order of magnitude more potent in diabetic rats respect to non-diabetic rats, whereas NaHS was ten times more potent in the streptozotocin-diabetic group. Nine to 11 weeks after diabetes induction, tactile allodynia was observed in the streptozotocin-injected rats. On this condition, subcutaneous administration of PPG or HA reduced tactile allodynia in diabetic rats. Paradoxically, H2S levels were decreased in nerve sciatic, dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord, but not paw nor blood plasma, during diabetes-associated peripheral neuropathy development. Collectively, results suggest that H2S synthesized by CBS and CSE participate in formalin-induced nociception in diabetic and non-diabetic rats, as well as; in tactile allodynia in streptozotocin-injected rats. In addition, data seems to indicate that diabetic rats are more sensible to H2S-induced hyperalgesia than normoglycemic rats.

Evidence for the participation of Ca2+-activated chloride channels in formalin-induced acute and chronic nociception

In this study we determined the role of Ca(2+)-activated chloride channels (CaCC) in acute and chronic nociceptive responses elicited by 1% formalin. Formalin injection produced a typical pattern of flinching behavior for about 1h. Moreover, it produced secondary allodynia and hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral and contralateral paws for at least 6 days. Local peripheral and intrathecal pre-treatment (-10 min) with the non-selective and selective CaCC blockers niflumic acid and CaCCinh-A01, respectively, prevented formalin-induced flinching behavior mainly during phase 2 of the formalin test. Furthermore, niflumic acid and CaCCinh-A01 also prevented in a dose-dependent manner the long-lasting evoked secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral and contralateral paws. Moreover, local peripheral and intrathecal post-treatment (on day 6) with both CaCC blockers decreased the established formalin-induced secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia behavior in both paws. CaCC anoctamin-1 and bestrophin-1 were detected in the dorsal root ganglia. Formalin injection increased anoctamin-1, but not bestrophin-1 protein levels at 6 days. Intrathecal injection of the CaCC inhibitor CaCCinh-A01 prevented formalin-induced anoctamin-1 increase. Data suggest that peripheral and spinal CaCC, and particularly anoctamin-1, participates in the acute nociception induced by formalin as well as in the development and maintenance of secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia. Thus, CaCC activity contributes to neuronal excitability in the process of nociception induced by formalin.

Fosinopril Prevents the Development of Tactile Allodynia in a Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Model

Preclinical Research

Evidence for the participation of peripheral α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors in GABAA agonists-induced nociception in rats

The activation of GABAA receptor by γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) in primary afferent fibers produces depolarization. In normal conditions this depolarization causes a reduction in the release of neurotransmitters. Therefore, this depolarization remains inhibitory. However, previous studies have suggested that in inflammatory pain, GABA shifts its signaling from inhibition to excitation by an increased GABA-induced depolarization. The contribution of peripheral α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors to the inflammatory pain is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible pronociceptive role of peripheral α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors in the formalin test. Formalin (0.5%) injection into the dorsum of the right hind paw produced flinching behavior in rats. Ipsilateral local peripheral pre-treatment (-10min) with exogenous GABA (0.003-0.03µg/paw) or common GABAA receptor agonists muscimol (0.003-0.03µg/paw), diazepam (0.017-0.056µg/paw) or phenobarbital (1-100µg/paw) significantly increased 0.5% formalin-induced nociceptive behavior. The pronociceptive effects of GABA (0.03µg/paw), muscimol (0.03µg/paw), diazepam (0.056µg/paw) and phenobarbital (100µg/paw) were prevented by either the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (0.01-0.1µg/paw) or selective α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptor inverse agonist L-655,708 (0.017-0.17µg/paw). The α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptor protein was expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal spinal cord of naïve rats. The formalin injection did not modify α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptor expression. Overall, these results suggest that peripheral α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors play a pronociceptive role in the rat formalin test.

Identification of the Na+/H+ exchanger 1 in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord: Its possible role in inflammatory nociception

mRNA and protein presence of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) 1 (NHE1) and 5 (NHE5) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal spinal cord as well as its possible role in three inflammatory nociception tests were determined. Local peripheral ipsilateral, but not contralateral, administration of NHE inhibitors 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride hydrochloride (DMA, 0.3-30 microM/paw), 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA, 0.3-30 microM/paw) and amiloride (0.1-10 microM/paw) significantly increased flinching but not licking behavior in the capsaicin and 5-HT tests. Moreover, DMA and EIPA (0.03-30 microM/paw) as well as amiloride (0.1-1 microM/paw) augmented, in a dose-dependent manner, 0.5% formalin-induced flinching behavior during phase II but not during phase I. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed the expression of NHE1 and NHE5 in DRG and dorsal spinal cord. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of NHE1 in DRG and spinal cord. Moreover, NHE5 was expressed in dorsal spinal cord, but not in DRG where a 45 kDa truncated isoform of NHE5 was identified. Collectively, these data suggest that NHE1, but not NHE5, plays an important role reducing inflammatory pain in rats.

Antinociceptive synergy between diclofenac and morphine after local injection into the inflamed site

BACKGROUND Combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with opioids are frequently used to reduce opioid doses required in the clinical management of acute pain. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible antinociceptive interaction between morphine and diclofenac at peripheral level in male rats. METHODS Drugs were chosen based on their efficacy in the treatment of this kind of pain and as representative drugs of their respective analgesic groups. For the formalin test, 50 μ of 1% formalin solution was injected subcutaneously into the right hind paw. The interaction between morphine and diclofenac was evaluated by using isobolographic analysis and interaction index. Drug interaction was examined by administering fixed-ratio combinations of morphine-diclofenac (1 : 1 and 3 : 1) of their respective ED30 fractions. RESULTS Diclofenac and morphine reduced flinching behavior in a dose-dependent manner during phase 2 but not phase 1 of the formalin test. Isobolographic analysis showed a synergistic interaction for the combination of morphine and diclofenac after local peripheral administration. CONCLUSIONS Data suggest that the combination of morphine with diclofenac at the site of injury is synergistic and could be useful in the treatment of wounds, bruises, rheumatisms and other painful peripheral conditions associated with an inflammatory process.