Brain research bulletin
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Nogo, also known as Reticulon-4, is a protein that is specific to the central nervous system (CNS), and has been identified as an inhibitor of neurite outgrowth. Nogo-A is the largest member of the Nogo family and is responsible for inhibition of CNS regeneration. The structural information and biological functions of Nogo family members are reviewed in this study. ⋯ Understanding the biological functions of Nogo family members may open up a new avenue for the development of therapeutic agents. The anatomical and biological plastic changes are reviewed in animal models of injuries in the adult CNS. The role of Nogo A in neuroregeneration, and the mechanisms underlying functional recovery after CNS injury, are also detailed in this review.
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Brain research bulletin · Apr 2012
Variation of pain and vasomotor responses evoked by intramuscular infusion of hypertonic saline in human subjects: influence of gender and its potential neural mechanisms.
The aim of current study was to explore role of gender in pain and cutaneous vasomotor responses during the condition of intramuscular (i.m.) hypertonic (HT, 5.8%) saline induced muscle pain. In 20 healthy human subjects (10 females), 2-4.8ml of either HT or isotonic (IT, 0.9%) saline was infused into the left tibialis anterior muscle to elicit muscle pain, during which the intensity and distribution of pain together with skin vasomotor responses were investigated. Cutaneous blood flow was assessed using laser-Doppler flowmetry in 4 different skin areas: ipsilateral infusion area (5cm×5cm), ipsilateral referred pain area (5cm×10cm), contralateral area to the infusion site (5cm×5cm), and contralateral area to the referred pain site (5cm×10cm). ⋯ However, post-treatment with lidocaine significantly reduced the pain intensity and the increased skin blood flow only in men, but not women. The data demonstrate that gender-associated difference exists in HT saline intramuscularly induced local muscle pain and vasomotor responses. Neural mechanisms underlying gender-related differences in vasomotor responses is significantly different, suggesting that local pre-treatment, but not post-treatment, with anesthetic may provide superior analgesia to block sex-associated difference in pain and vasomotor responses.