Abstract
To investigate whether the protective effect of testosterone on the development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) nociception in male rats is mediated by the activation of central opioid mechanisms. Experiments were performed on 156 male Wistar rats. A pharmacologic approach was used to assess the ability of opioid receptor antagonists infused into the dorsal portion of the brainstem and adjacent to the caudal component (subnucleus caudalis) of the spinal trigeminal nucleus to block the protective effect of testosterone in male rats. The TMJ injection of 0.5% formalin was used as a nociceptive stimulus. One-way or two-way ANOVA was used for data analyses. The injection of 0.5% formalin into the TMJ induced a significant nociceptive behavior in gonadectomized male rats (P < .05), but not in naïve, sham, and testosterone-replaced gonadectomized rats, confirming that testosterone prevents the development of TMJ nociception. The injection of either the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (15 μg) or the simultaneous injection of the μ-opioid receptor antagonist Cys2, Tyr3, Orn5, Pen7amide (CTOP, 30 μg) and the κ-opioid receptor antagonist Nor-Binaltorphimine (Nor-BNI, 90 μg) significantly increased the 0.5% formalin-induced behavioral response in sham and testosterone-replaced gonadectomized rats (P < .05) but had no effect in gonadectomized rats. However, the injection of each selective opioid receptor antagonist alone or the simultaneous injection of μ- or κ- and δ-opioid receptor antagonists had no effect. These findings indicate that the protective effect of endogenous testosterone on the development of TMJ nociception in male rats is mediated by the activation of central opioid mechanisms. Furthermore, the coactivation of central μ- and κ-opioid receptors is necessary for testosterone to protect male rats from developing TMJ nociception.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
