• Alexander Tzabazis, Jordan Mechanic, James Miller, Michael Klukinov, Conrado Pascual, Neil Manering, Dean S Carson, Allon Jacobs, Yanli Qiao, Jason Cuellar, William H Frey, Daniel Jacobs, Martin Angst, and David C Yeomans.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
• Cephalalgia. 2016 Sep 1; 36 (10): 943-50.

AimsOur studies investigated the location of oxytocin receptors in the peripheral trigeminal sensory system and determined their role in trigeminal pain.MethodsOxytocin receptor expression and co-localization with calcitonin gene-related peptide was investigated in rat trigeminal ganglion using immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the effects of facial electrocutaneous stimulation and adjuvant-induced inflammation of the temporomandibular joint on oxytocin receptor expression in the trigeminal ganglion. Finally, the effects of oxytocin on capsaicin-induced calcitonin gene-related peptide release from dural nociceptors were investigated using isolated rat dura mater.ResultsOxytocin receptor immunoreactivity was present in rat trigeminal neurons. The vast majority of oxytocin receptor immunoreactive neurons co-expressed calcitonin gene-related peptide. Both electrocutaneous stimulation and adjuvant-induced inflammation led to a rapid upregulation of oxytocin receptor protein expression in trigeminal ganglion neurons. Oxytocin significantly and dose-dependently decreased capsaicin-induced calcitonin gene-related peptide release from dural nociceptors.ConclusionOxytocin receptor expression in calcitonin gene-related peptide containing trigeminal ganglion neurons, and the blockade of calcitonin gene-related peptide release from trigeminal dural afferents suggests that activation of these receptors may provide therapeutic benefit in patients with migraine and other primary headache disorders.© International Headache Society 2015.

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