Brain research bulletin
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Brain research bulletin · Oct 2010
VEGF and its receptor-2 involved in neuropathic pain transmission mediated by P2X₂(/)₃ receptor of primary sensory neurons.
The pathogenesis of neuropathic pain is complex. P2X₂(/)₃ receptor plays a crucial role in nociception transduction of chronic pain. VEGF inhibitors are effective for pain relief. ⋯ The expressions of VEGF, VEGFR2 and P2X₂(/)₃ in L4-6 DRG of CCI rats treated with anti-rVEGF antibody group were decreased compared with those in CCI group (p<0.05). The results show that VEGF and VEGFR2 are involved in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and VEGF primarily potentiates pain responses mediated by P2X₂(/)₃ receptor on DRG neurons. Anti-rVEGF treatment in CCI rats may alleviate chronic neuropathic pain by decreasing the expressions of VEGFR2 and P2X₂(/)₃ receptors on DRG neurons to inhibit the transmission of neuropathic pain signaling.
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Brain research bulletin · Oct 2010
Neuroprotective effect and cognitive outcome of chronic lithium on traumatic brain injury in mice.
In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that lithium treatment can protect neurons against excitotoxic and ischemic damage. Yet the possible beneficial effect of chronic low dose lithium on a model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has not been intensively investigated. In this study, lithium (1 mmol/kg) was given daily, intraperitonealy, for 14 days before the onset of moderate controlled TBI and was continued until the mice were sacrificed. ⋯ The neuronal degeneration in hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus sub-regions was also attenuated in the chronic lithium-treated mice as shown by Fluoro-Jade B staining. Moreover, chronic lithium treatment enhanced spatial learning and memory performance of injured mice in the Morris water maze. Our current study extended the protective role of lithium in the model of TBI and suggested that chronic lithium treatment might be a helpful therapeutic strategy for brain injury with multiple beneficial effects.