Pain
-
Gout is characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Despite being one of the most painful forms of arthritis, gout and the mechanisms responsible for its acute attacks are poorly understood. In the present study, we found that MSU caused dose-related nociception (ED(50) [ie, the necessary dose of MSU to elicit 50% of the response relative to the control value]=0.04 [95% confidence interval 0.01-0.11]mg/paw) and edema (ED(50)=0.08 [95% confidence interval 0.04-0.16]mg/paw) when injected into the hind paw of rats. ⋯ Furthermore, the antagonism of histaminergic H1 and serotoninergic receptors decreased the edema, but not the nociception of MSU. Finally, the prevention of the tryptase activity was capable of largely reducing both MSU-induced nociception and edema. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate that MSU produces nociceptive and edematogenic responses mediated by TRPV1 receptor activation and mast cell degranulation.
-
GABA and glutamate are both affected by stress and are involved in nociception. Thus, we determined whether stress-induced enhancement of inflammatory hyperalgesia is mediated by an imbalance between glutamate and GABA neurotransmission. Male rats were subjected daily to 10 to 20 minutes per day of either forced swimming (FS) or sham swimming for 3 consecutive days; nonconditioned rats served as controls. ⋯ Diazepam effects were blocked by flumazenil. NO(x) increased in lumbar spinal cord of FS rats by a mechanism antagonized by ketamine. Thus, stress-induced hyperalgesia is initiated by a decreased and delayed GABA release and GABA-A receptor activation, whereas it is maintained by increased glutamate release and NMDA glutamate receptor activation at the spinal level.
-
Nucleotides contribute to the sensation of acute and chronic pain, but it remained enigmatic which G protein-coupled nucleotide (P2Y) receptors and associated signaling cascades are involved. To resolve this issue, nucleotides were applied to dorsal root ganglion neurons under current- and voltage-clamp. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and uridine triphosphate (UTP), but not uridine diphosphate (UDP), depolarized the neurons and enhanced action potential firing in response to current injections. ⋯ The facilitation of TRPV(1), but not the inhibition K(V)7 channels, was prevented by a protein kinase C inhibitor. Simultaneous blockage of K(V)7 channels and of TRPV(1) channels prevented nucleotide-induced membrane depolarization and action potential firing. Thus, P2Y(1) and P2Y(2) receptors mediate an excitation of dorsal root ganglion neurons by nucleotides through the inhibition of K(V)7 channels and the facilitation of TRPV(1) channels via a common bifurcated signaling pathway relying on an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) and an activation of protein kinase C, respectively.