Pharmacol Rep
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The treatment of neuropathic pain resulting from nervous system malfunction remains a challenging problem for doctors and scientists. The lower effectiveness of conventionally used analgesics in neuropathic pain is associated with complex and not fully understood mechanisms of its development. Undoubtedly, interactions between immune and nervous system are crucial for maintenance of painful neuropathy. ⋯ This review discusses the role of chemokines from all four subfamilies as essential mediators of neuron-glia interactions occurring under neuropathic pain conditions. Based on available data, we analyse the influence of chemokines on opioid properties. Finally, we identify new direct and indirect pharmacological targets whose modulation may result in effective therapy of neuropathic pain, possibly in combination with opioids.
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Previous clinical and preclinical studies have indicated that the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, memantine, has neuroprotective properties as well as antidepressant effects. The present study was designed to examine behavioral and molecular effects of memantine administration in rats subjected to the repeated unpredictable stress (RUS) paradigm. ⋯ Our study supports the hypothesis that drugs with antagonistic properties on the NMDA receptor, such as memantine, might be efficient in treatment of major depression. Our results also suggest that upregulated mRNA levels of BDNF and TrkB in the brain might be essential for antidepressant-like activity of memantine in stress exposed rats.
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According to the multifactorial etiology of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), psychological factors play an important role. It is possible that antidepressant therapy may be more effective for patients with IBS. The aim of this study was a systematic review of the best available antidepressant therapies for IBS. ⋯ Generally, antidepressants improved IBS symptoms. In comparison with placebo, tricyclic therapy for IBS was more effective than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Antidepressants might be an alternative therapy for patients suffering from IBS, especially diarrhea-predominant IBS.
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Induction of brown adipocyte-like phenotype (browning) in white adipocytes and promotion of apoptosis by dietary and pharmacological compounds is considered a novel strategy against obesity. Here, we show that honokiol exerts dual modulatory effects on adipocytes via induction of browning in 3T3-L1 white adipocytes and apoptosis as well as activation of HIB1B brown adipocytes combined with inhibition of apoptosis. ⋯ Our findings suggest that honokiol exhibits a modulatory role in adipocytes via induction of browning and apoptosis in white adipocytes, promotion of catabolic lipid metabolism, as well as activation and inhibition of apoptosis in HIB1B brown adipocytes, thereby exhibiting therapeutic potential against obesity.
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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders show inflammatory components, heavily impacting on quality of life. Strontium ranelate has previously shown anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects on other experimental inflammatory pain models. Thus, we aim to investigate the strontium ranelate efficacy in reducing the zymosan-induced inflammatory hypernociception in the TMJ of rats by evaluating the TNF-α, IL-1β, and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) involvement. ⋯ Strontium ranelate may achieve its antinociceptive effects through the reduction of TNF-α levels in the trigeminal ganglion, but not suppressing IL-1β expression nor inducing the HO-1 pathway.