scholarly journals Analgesic Neural Circuits Are Activated by Electroacupuncture at Two Sets of Acupoints

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man-Li Hu ◽  
Zheng-Ying Qiu ◽  
Kuang Hu ◽  
Ming-Xing Ding
Keyword(s):  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Neural Pathways ◽  
Lateral Habenula ◽  
Raphe Magnus ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal ◽  
The Common ◽  
Fos Expression ◽  
The Brain

To investigate analgesic neural circuits activated by electroacupuncture (EA) at different sets of acupoints in the brain, goats were stimulated by EA at set of Baihui-Santai acupoints or set of Housanli acupoints for 30 min. The pain threshold was measured using the potassium iontophoresis method. The levels of c-Fos were determined with Streptavidin-Biotin Complex immunohistochemistry. The results showed pain threshold induced by EA at set of Baihui-Santai acupoints was44.74%±4.56%higher than that by EA at set of Housanli acupoints (32.64%±5.04%). Compared with blank control, EA at two sets of acupoints increased c-Fos expression in the medial septal nucleus (MSN), the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the nucleus amygdala basalis (AB), the lateral habenula nucleus (HL), the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey (vlPAG), the locus coeruleus (LC), the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), the pituitary gland, and spinal cord dorsal horn (SDH). Compared with EA at set of Housanli points, EA at set of Baihui-Santai points induced increased c-Fos expression in AB but decrease in MSN, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, HL, and SDH. It suggests that ARC-PAG-NRM/LC-SDH and the hypothalamus-pituitary may be the common activated neural pathways taking part in EA-induced analgesia at the two sets of acupoints.

scholarly journals The Expression Patterns of c-Fos and c-Jun Induced by Different Frequencies of Electroacupuncture in the Brain

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng-Ying Qiu ◽  
Yi Ding ◽  
Lu-ying Cui ◽  
Man-Li Hu ◽  
Ming-Xing Ding
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Caudate Nucleus ◽  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
The Brain

To investigate patterns of c-Fos and c-Jun expression induced by different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) in the brain, goats were stimulated by EA of 0, 2, 60, or 100 Hz at a set of “Baihui, Santai, Ergen, and Sanyangluo” points for 30 min. The pain threshold was measured using the potassium iontophoresis method. The levels of c-Fos and c-Jun were determined with Streptavidin-Biotin Complex immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the pain threshold induced by 60 Hz was 82.2% higher (P<0.01) than that by 0, 2, or 100 Hz (6.5%, 35.2%, or 40.9%). EA induced increased c-Fos and c-Jun expression in most analgesia-related nuclei and areas in the brain. Sixty Hz EA increased more c-Fos or c-Jun expression than 2 Hz or 100 Hz EA in all the measured nuclei and areas except for the nucleus accumbens, the area septalis lateralis, the caudate nucleus, the nucleus amygdala basalis, and the locus coeruleus, in which c-Fos or c-Jun expressions induced by 60 Hz EA did not differ from those by 2 Hz or 100 Hz EA. It was suggested that 60 Hz EA activated more extensive neural circuits in goats, which may contribute to optimal analgesic effects.

scholarly journals Peripheral Glutamate Receptors Are Required for Hyperalgesia Induced by Capsaicin

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
You-Hong Jin ◽  
Motohide Takemura ◽  
Akira Furuyama ◽  
Norifumi Yonehara
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Group I ◽  
Nociceptive Responses ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal ◽  
Fos Expression

Transient receptor potential vanilloid1 (TRPV1) and glutamate receptors (GluRs) are located in small diameter primary afferent neurons (nociceptors), and it was speculated that glutamate released in the peripheral tissue in response to activation of TRPV1 might activate nociceptors retrogradely. But, it was not clear which types of GluRs are functioning in the nociceptive sensory transmission. In the present study, we examined the c-Fos expression in spinal cord dorsal horn following injection of drugs associated with glutamate receptors with/without capsaicin into the hindpaw. The subcutaneous injection of capsaicin or glutamate remarkably evoked c-Fos expression in ipsilateral sides of spinal cord dorsal horn. This capsaicin evoked increase of c-Fos expression was significantly prevented by concomitant administration of MK801, CNQX, and CPCCOEt. On the other hand, there were not any significant changes in coinjection of capsaicin and MCCG or MSOP. These results reveal that the activation of iGluRs and group I mGluR in peripheral afferent nerves play an important role in mechanisms whereby capsaicin evokes/maintains nociceptive responses.

α2-Adrenergic Receptors in Human Dorsal Root Ganglia

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 968-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita R. S. Ongjoco ◽  
Charlene D. Richardson ◽  
Xiaowen L. Rudner ◽  
Mark Stafford-Smith ◽  
Debra A. Schwinn
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Neural Pathways ◽  
Human Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal

Background Nonselective alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha2AR) agonists (e.g., clonidine) mediate antinociception in part through alpha2ARs in spinal cord dorsal horn; however, use of these agents for analgesia in humans is limited by unwanted sedation and hypotension. The authors previously demonstrated alpha2a approximately alpha2b &gt; &gt; &gt; alpha2c mRNA in human spinal cord dorsal horn cell bodies. However, because 20% of dorsal horn alpha2ARs derive from cell bodies that reside in the associated dorsal root ganglion (DRG), it is important to evaluate alpha2AR expression in this tissue as well. Therefore, the authors evaluated the hypothesis that alpha2b mRNA, alpha2c mRNA, or both are present in human DRG. Methods Molecular approaches were used to determine alpha2AR expression in 28 human DRGs because of low overall receptor mRNA expression and small sample size. After creation of synthetic competitor cDNA and establishment of amplification conditions with parallel efficiencies, competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed using RNA isolated from human DRG. Results Overall expression of alpha2AR mRNA in DRG is low but reproducible at all spinal levels. alpha2b and alpha2cAR subtype mRNAs predominate (alpha2b approximately alpha2c), accounting for more than 95% of the total alpha2AR mRNA in DRG at all human spinal nerve root levels. Conclusions Predominance of alpha2b and alpha2cAR mRNA in human DRG is distinct from alpha2AR mRNA expression in cell bodies originating in human spinal cord dorsal horn, where alpha2a and alpha2b predominate with little or absent alpha2c expression. These findings also highlight species heterogeneity in alpha2AR expression in DRG. If confirmed at a protein level, these findings provide an additional step in unraveling mechanisms involved in complex neural pathways such as those for pain.

scholarly journals Contribution of dorsal horn CGRP-expressing interneurons to mechanical sensitivity

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Line S Löken ◽  
Joao M Braz ◽  
Alexander Etlin ◽  
Mahsa Sadeghi ◽  
Mollie Bernstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Noxious Stimulation ◽  
Mechanical Sensitivity ◽  
Distinct Population ◽  
Calcitonin Gene ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal ◽  
Fos Expression ◽  
Stimulation Of

Primary sensory neurons are generally considered the only source of dorsal horn calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide critical to the transmission of pain messages. Using a tamoxifen-inducible CalcaCreER transgenic mouse, here we identified a distinct population of CGRP-expressing excitatory interneurons in lamina III of the spinal cord dorsal horn and trigeminal nucleus caudalis. These interneurons have spine-laden, dorsally-directed, dendrites and ventrally-directed axons. As under resting conditions, CGRP interneurons are under tonic inhibitory control, neither innocuous nor noxious stimulation provoked significant Fos expression in these neurons. However, synchronous, electrical non-nociceptive Aβ primary afferent stimulation of dorsal roots depolarized the CGRP interneurons, consistent with their receipt of a VGLUT1 innervation. On the other hand, chemogenetic activation of the neurons produced a mechanical hypersensitivity in response to von Frey stimulation whereas their caspase-mediated ablation led to mechanical hyposensitivity. Finally, after partial peripheral nerve injury, innocuous stimulation (brush) induced significant Fos expression in the CGRP interneurons. These findings suggest that CGRP interneurons become hyperexcitable and contribute either to ascending circuits originating in deep dorsal horn or to the reflex circuits in baseline conditions, but not in the setting of nerve injury.

Nucleus raphe magnus inhibition of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons

1977 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard L. Fields ◽  
Allan I. Basbaum ◽  
Charles H. Clanton ◽  
Stuart D. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Nucleus Raphe Magnus ◽  
Dorsal Horn Neurons ◽  
Raphe Magnus ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal

scholarly journals Let Sing Again. Of Sounds, Songs, and Language in Humans and Birds

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto di Porzio ◽  
Luisa Speranza
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Social Bonding ◽  
Neural Pathways ◽  
Music And Language ◽  
Network Music ◽  
The Brain

In million years, under the pressure of natural selection, hominins acquired vocal learning, music, language, and intense cooperation, thanks to the efficacy of music in enhancing sociality. Thus, early in human evolution music became part of human life, a relevant activity, which required sophisticated perceptual and motor skills. It contributed to developing cultures and history, social bonding, and from the beginning of life strengthens the mother-baby relation while within the mother&rsquo;s womb. Music existed in all known human cultures, although it varies in rhythmic and melodic complexity. It is art made of sounds capable of arousing emotions, evokes memories, engages multiple cognitive functions, and promotes attention, concentration, stimulates the imagination, creativity, and harmony of movement. Music and language share the same complex neural network. Music changes the chemistry of the brain activating the reward and prosocial systems, altruism, and allowing its use in therapy. This review explores "what" is music and illustrates the neural circuits that allow the production of music and language and those that transduce the sounds perceived by the ear, localize and archive them, allowing to recall them. Interestingly, songbirds share many commonalities with human music:, common neural pathways that shape vocal learning, and how they make sounds.

scholarly journals Long-term Effect of Sciatic Nerve Block with Slow-release Lidocaine in a Rat Model of Postoperative Pain

2010 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1473-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaru Tobe ◽  
Hideaki Obata ◽  
Takashi Suto ◽  
Hideaki Yokoo ◽  
Yoichi Nakazato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Withdrawal Threshold ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal ◽  
Fos Expression

Background Postoperative pain management is important for preventing perioperative complications. The authors examined the effectiveness of controlled-release lidocaine for sciatic nerve block in a rat model of postoperative pain. Methods The authors created a novel slow-release lidocaine sheet (SRLS) with polylactic-coglycolic acid. In male Sprague-Dawley rats (postoperative pain model), the authors applied the SRLS, lidocaine alone, or polylactic-coglycolic acid (control) near the ipsilateral sciatic nerve just before making the paw incision. Mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed using von Frey filaments, and c-fos expression was examined in the spinal cord dorsal horn at segments L4-L5. Neurotoxicity and muscle toxicity were also evaluated via histopathology. Results The SRLS (30%, w/w) continuously released lidocaine for 1 week in vitro. The withdrawal threshold in the SRLS-treated group was higher than that in the control group at all time points measured (2 h to 7 days). The withdrawal threshold in the lidocaine-treated group was higher than that in the control group only at 2 h after paw incision. The mean number of c-fos immunoreactive neurons in the SRLS-treated group was lower than in the control group at 2, 5, and 48 h after paw incision and lower than in the lidocaine-treated group at 5 and 48 h after paw incision. On histopathology, signs of inflammation were only slightly present in the muscle and nerve tissues of the SRLS-treated group. Conclusions Single treatment with the SRLS inhibited hyperalgesia and c-fos expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn for 1 week. Slow-release local anesthetics are promising for the management of postoperative pain.

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