Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society
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We determined the role of the dopamine D2 receptor in or adjacent to the dopaminergic A11 cell group in descending modulation of neuropathic hypersensitivity. Moreover, we determined the spinal neurotransmitter receptors mediating the modulatory effect. Neuropathy was produced by spinal nerve ligation in the rat that had a chronic cannula for drug delivery into A11 or a control site in the locus coeruleus, and a catheter for spinal drug delivery. ⋯ Spinal administration of atipamezole (an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist) or marginally also WAY-100635 (a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), but not raclopride or bicuculline, reduced the antihypersensitivity effect induced by quinpirole in A11. Electrical stimulation of A11 produced thermal antinociception following intrathecal administration of saline but not raclopride. The results indicate that activation of the dopamine D2 receptor in A11 may selectively suppress neuropathic hypersensitivity, due to mechanisms that involve GABA(A) receptors in the hypothalamus and descending noradrenergic pathways acting on spinal alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, possibly together with a slight contribution of descending serotoninergic pathways acting on spinal 5-HT(1A) receptors.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by dysfunction of the afferent pathways that may lead to visceral hypersensitivity. Trimebutine is a weak opioid receptor agonist used in the treatment of IBS. We report on the effects of a novel derivative in which trimebutine has been salified with nitro-arginine(NO2-Arg-Trim), in modulating nociception to colorectal distension (CRD) in intact and post-colitis rats,an animal model that mimics some features of IBS. ⋯ In summary, these data suggest that NO2-Arg-Trim inhibits nociception induced by CRD in both healthy and post-colitis, allodynic rats. The NO2-arginine moiety interacts with the opioid agonist trimebutine to potentiate its analgesic activity. This study provides evidence that NO2-arginine derivative of trimebutine might have beneficial effect in the treatment of painful intestinal disorders.