Articles: hyperalgesia.
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Neurochemical research · Jun 2015
Upregulation of α₂δ-1 Calcium Channel Subunit in the Spinal Cord Contributes to Pelvic Organ Cross-Sensitization in a Rat Model of Experimentally-Induced Endometriosis.
Pelvic organ cross-sensitization, also termed as viscero-visceral referred hyperalgesia, is a major contributor to painful endometriosis. Its underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Clinical and basic studies have shown that gabapentin, a drug that binds to the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels (Cavα2δ-1), is effective in treating chronic visceral pain. ⋯ Furthermore, intrathecal injection of Cavα2δ-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides reversed the ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization and also normalized the upregulation of spinal Cavα2δ-1 expression in endometriosis rats. The current study suggests that the upregulation of Cavα2δ-1 in the spinal cord may contribute to pelvic organ cross-sensitization in painful endometriosis. Our study may provide a biological basis for selectively targeting this pathway to relieve viscero-visceral referred hyperalgesia in patients with painful endometriosis.
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Neurogastroenterol. Motil. · Jun 2015
Estradiol modulates visceral hyperalgesia by increasing thoracolumbar spinal GluN2B subunit activity in female rats.
We previously reported estrogen modulates spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor processing of colorectal pain through changes in spinal GluN1 subunit phosphorylation/expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether spinal GluN2B containing NMDA receptors are involved in estrogen modulation of visceral pain processing. ⋯ These data support the hypothesis that estrogen increases spinal processing of colonic inflammation-induced visceral hyperalgesia by increasing NMDA receptor activity. Specifically, an increase in the activity of GluN2B containing NMDA receptors in the TL spinal cord by estrogen underlies visceral hypersensitivity in the presence of colonic inflammation.
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Letter Case Reports
Development of Tactile Allodynia Immediately After Spinal Anesthesia.
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Chronic pain is a major public health problem with limited treatment options. Opioids remain a routine treatment for chronic pain, but extended exposure to opioid therapy can produce opioid tolerance and hyperalgesia. ⋯ Given that mTOR inhibitors are FDA-approved drugs and an mTOR inhibitor is approved for the treatment of several cancers, these findings suggest that mTOR inhibitors will likely have multiple clinical benefits, including anticancer, antinociception/anti-cancer pain, and antitolerance/hyperalgesia. This paper compares the role of mTOR complex 1 in chronic pain, opioid-induced tolerance, and opioid-induced hyperalgesia.