Release Of Substance P-like Immunoreactivity Research Articles

P.1.c.063 Alpha-1-noradrenergic receptor blockade in OCD: an open label add-on study with prazosin

Glutamate participates in the regulation of secretion of several neuropeptides, including substance P (SP). Glutamate acts through ionotropic (iGluR) and metabotropic (mGluR) receptors. We have investigated whether glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists could affect SP release from the arcuate nucleus and the median eminence (ARC/ME). An increase in SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) release from ARC/ME was induced by glutamate and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). This increase was prevented by d-(−)-2-amino-5-phosphono pentanoic acid (DAP5) (0.1 mM), a specific NMDA antagonist and by (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA) (0.1 mM), a selective antagonist of group I mGluR. The selective non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3(1H-4H)-dione (DNQX) (0.1 mM) and (RS)-α-methyl-4-tetrazolylphenylglycine (MTPG) (0.1 mM), a group II and III mGluRs antagonist, did not affect the stimulatory effect of glutamate. A group I selective agonist, (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) induced a significant increase in SP-LI release. Supporting the participation of nitric oxide (NO) in the effect of glutamate on SP-LI release, NAME (0.5 mM), a NO synthase inhibitor, reduced the glutamate-induced increase in SP-LI release from ARC/ME. Similarly, glutamate did not induce an increase in SP-LI release in the presence of meloxicam (0.1 mM) (a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitor) indicating that prostaglandins production may also be involved in the glutamate effect. These data indicate that glutamate increases SP-LI release from the ARC/ME by acting through NMDA and group I mGluRs in the male rat. This stimulatory effect could be mediated by nitric oxide and prostaglandin production.

NMDA and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors activation modulates substance P release from the arcuate nucleus and median eminence

Glutamate participates in the regulation of secretion of several neuropeptides, including substance P (SP). Glutamate acts through ionotropic (iGluR) and metabotropic (mGluR) receptors. We have investigated whether glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists could affect SP release from the arcuate nucleus and the median eminence (ARC/ME). An increase in SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) release from ARC/ME was induced by glutamate and N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA). This increase was prevented by d-(−)-2-amino-5-phosphono pentanoic acid (DAP5) (0.1 mM), a specific NMDA antagonist and by (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA) (0.1 mM), a selective antagonist of group I mGluR. The selective non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3(1H-4H)-dione (DNQX) (0.1 mM) and (RS)-α-methyl-4-tetrazolylphenylglycine (MTPG) (0.1 mM), a group II and III mGluRs antagonist, did not affect the stimulatory effect of glutamate. A group I selective agonist, ( S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) induced a significant increase in SP-LI release. Supporting the participation of nitric oxide (NO) in the effect of glutamate on SP-LI release, NAME (0.5 mM), a NO synthase inhibitor, reduced the glutamate-induced increase in SP-LI release from ARC/ME. Similarly, glutamate did not induce an increase in SP-LI release in the presence of meloxicam (0.1 mM) (a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitor) indicating that prostaglandins production may also be involved in the glutamate effect. These data indicate that glutamate increases SP-LI release from the ARC/ME by acting through NMDA and group I mGluRs in the male rat. This stimulatory effect could be mediated by nitric oxide and prostaglandin production.

Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Inhibit Neurogenic Inflammations in Guinea Pig Airways

Background: Although neurogenic inflammation via the activation of C fibers in the airway must have an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, their regulatory mechanism remains uncertain. Objective: The pharmacological profiles of endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists on the activation of C fibers in airway tissues were investigated and the mechanisms how cannabinoids regulate airway inflammatory reactions were clarified. Methods: The effects of endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists on electrical field stimulation-induced bronchial smooth muscle contraction, capsaicin-induced bronchoconstriction and capsaicin-induced substance P release in guinea pig airway tissues were investigated. The influences of cannabinoid receptor antagonists and K⁺ channel blockers to the effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on these respiratory reactions were examined. Results: Both endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists, anandamide and palmitoylethanolamide, inhibited electrical field stimulation-induced guinea pig bronchial smooth muscle contraction, but not neurokinin A-induced contraction. A cannabinoid CB2 antagonist, SR 144528, reduced the inhibitory effect of endogenous agonists, but not a cannabinoid CB1 antagonist, SR 141716A. Inhibitory effects of agonists were also reduced by the pretreatment of large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (maxi-K⁺ channel) blockers, iberiotoxin and charybdotoxin, but not by other K⁺ channel blockers, dendrotoxin or glibenclamide. Anandamide and palmitoylethanolamide blocked the capsaicin-induced release of substance P-like immunoreactivity from guinea pig airway tissues. Additionally, intravenous injection of palmitoylethanolamide dose-dependently inhibited capsaicin-induced guinea pig bronchoconstriction, but not neurokinin A-induced reaction. However, anandamide did not reduce capsaicin-induced guinea pig bronchoconstriction. Conclusions: These findings suggest that endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists inhibit the activation of C fibers via cannabinoid CB2 receptors and maxi-K⁺ channels in guinea pig airways.

A neuroactive steroid, allotetrahydrocorticosterone inhibits sensory nerves activation in guinea-pig airways

We examined the effects of a neuroactive steroid, allotetrahydrocorticosterone on the activation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent sensory nerves (C-fibers). Allotetrahydrocorticosterone (0.0001–1.0 μg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited electrical field stimulation-induced guinea-pig bronchial smooth muscle contraction, but not the substance P-induced contraction at 1.0 μg/ml. Allotetrahydrocorticosterone (0.01–1.0 μg/ml) also reduced the capsaicin-induced release of substance P-like immunoreactivity from guinea-pig airway tissues in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of allotetrahydrocorticosterone on electrical field stimulation-induced bronchial contraction were reduced by the pretreatment of voltage-dependent K + channel blockers, tetraethylammonium (1 mM). This evidence suggests that allotetrahydrocorticosterone negatively modulate the activation of C-fibers and substance P release from their endings in airway tissues via the opening of voltage-dependent K + channels.

CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Stimulation Modulates Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Receptor 1 Activities in Calcium Influx and Substance P Release in Cultured Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells

Cannabinoids have been reported to have analgesic properties in animals of acute nociception or of inflammatory and neuropathic pain models, but the mechanisms by which they exert such alleviative effects are not yet fully understood. We investigated whether the CB1-cannabinoid-receptor agonist HU210 modulates the capsaicin-induced 45Ca2+ influx and substance P like-immunoreactivity (SPLI) release in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. HU210 attenuated the capsaicin-induced 45Ca2+ influx and this effect was reversed by the CB1 antagonist AM251. Treatment of DRG cells with 100 nM bradykinin for 3 h potentiated capsaicin-induced SPLI release accompanied with the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression. The potentiation of SPLI release by bradykinin was reversed by HU210 or the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89. HU210 also reduced forskolin-induced cyclic AMP production and forskolin-induced potentiation of SPLI release. These results suggest that CB1 could inhibit either the capsaicin-induced Ca2+ influx or the potentiation of capsaicin-induced SPLI release by a long-term treatment with bradykinin through involvement of a cyclic-AMP-dependent PKA pathway. In conclusion, CB1-receptor stimulation modulates the activities of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 in cultured rat DRG cells.

Capsaicin-evoked substance P release in rat dorsal horn increases after peripheral inflammation: a microdialysis study

Numerous in vitro studies suggest that inflammation is associated with enhanced release of substance P (SP) in the dorsal horn. To test the hypothesis that inflammation increases the evoked concentration of SP in the intact animal, we used in vivo microdialysis with a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay to monitor SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) in the dorsal horn. Seven days after the induction of persistent unilateral inflammation with hindpaw injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant, perfusion of the microdialysis probe with 10 μM capsaicin (a concentration which failed to induce SP-LI release in rats without inflammation) induced a significant increase of microdialysate SP-LI. Inclusion of an NMDA antagonist in the perfusion fluid completely blocked this capsaicin-evoked SP release. Administration of a five-fold higher dose of capsaicin did not further increase SP release. These results in a rat model of chronic arthritis suggest that persistent inflammatory signaling facilitates capsaicin-evoked SP release in the dorsal horn in vivo.

Stimulation of spinal 5-HT 2A/2C receptors potentiates the capsaicin-induced in vivo release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the rat dorsal horn

Stimulation of spinal serotonin (5-HT) 2A/2C receptors has previously been reported to lead to either a pro-nociceptive or an anti-nociceptive response. Behavioral data have indicated that the pro-nociceptive effect is related to the release of substance P (SP). The aim of this in vivo microdialysis study was to investigate if stimulation of spinal 5-HT 2A/2C receptors by the selective agonist (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) induces spontaneous or capsaicin-evoked increase in the release of SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) in the rat dorsal horn. A dose of capsaicin (25 μM in the perfusion medium administered for 30 min), which did not lead to a significant release of SP-LI on its own, induced a significant increase of greater than 4-fold of the SP-LI level following spinal application of 50 nmol DOI. Higher (500 nmol) or lower (5 nmol) doses of DOI failed to induce a similar effect. In rats with a peripheral inflammation, induced by carrageenan, capsaicin (25 μM) induced a non-significant increase of SP-LI. A significant 8-fold increase of the SP-LI level was detected following administration of 50 nmol DOI in combination with capsaicin. The effect of DOI, which was completely prevented by co-administration of the 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin in control animals without peripheral inflammation, was only partly blocked in animals with carrageenan induced peripheral inflammation. In conclusion, stimulation of 5-HT 2A/2C receptors facilitates the capsaicin-evoked release of SP-LI in the dorsal horn in both animals with and without carrageenan-induced unilateral inflammation. The observation that the highest dose of DOI failed to induce SP-LI release may be due to an inhibitory postsynaptic action at this dose.

Substance P content in the cerebrospinal fluid and fluid perfusing cerebral ventricles during elicitation and inhibition of trigemino-hypoglossal reflex in rats

The aim of this study was to establish whether tooth pulp and periaqueductal central gray (PAG) stimulation affects the release of substance P (SP) into the fluid perfusing the cerebral ventricles in rats. The content of substance P in the cerebrospinal fluid and fluid perfusing cerebral ventricles was determined during incisor pulp stimulation with electrical impulses inducing nociceptive trigemino-hypoglossal reflex and then during inhibition of the reflex by stimulation of PAG. Perfusion of the cerebral ventricles was carried out using artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) was determined in the samples by radioimmunoassay. Samples were collected in four groups: first group—cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); second group—aCSF perfusates without stimulation; third group—aCSF perfusates during incisor pulp stimulation; fourth group—aCSF perfusates during incisor pulp stimulation and simultaneous inhibition of trigemino-hypoglossal reflex by PAG stimulation. It was shown that incisor pulp stimulation led to the increased release of SP-LI into the fluid perfusing cerebral ventricles. Stimulation of PAG reduced the release of SP-LI into the cerebro-ventricular system to the values obtained before the tooth pulp stimulation. The results indicate that PAG significantly inhibits the release of SP-LI into the rat cerebral ventricular system and may be involved in the inhibition of trigemino-hypoglossal reflex.

Involvement of spinal N-methyl- d-aspartate receptors in capsaicin-induced in vivo release of substance P in the rat dorsal horn

The aim of the present in vivo microdialysis study was to determine the possible contribution of N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate (KA) receptors to capsaicin-induced release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) in the dorsal horn of the rat. Perfusion of a microdialysis probe with capsaicin (50 or 100 μM) induced a significant eight-fold increase of the extracellular SP-LI level. The capsaicin (50 μM)-evoked release of SP-LI was blocked by spinal administration of the NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-APV; 5 mM), but not by the AMPA/KA antagonist 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo[ f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione disodium (NBQX; 0.5 mM). In contrast, the SP-LI release induced by 100 μM capsaicin could not be prevented by D-APV (10 mM) or NBQX (0.5 mM). The data suggest that the spinal SP-LI release induced by a moderate concentration of capsaicin is in part dependent on the release of glutamate acting on NMDA receptors.

Nerve Growth Factor- and Neurotrophin-3-Induced Changes in Nociceptive Threshold and the Release of Substance P from the Rat Isolated Spinal Cord

Acute superfusion of nerve growth factor (NGF; 1-100 ng/ml) through a naive rat spinal cord preparation did not alter basal or electrically evoked release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI). In contrast, neurotrophin-3 (NT-3; 1-100 ng/ml), although not modifying SP-LI basal outflow, dose-dependently inhibited the electrically evoked, but not capsaicin (10 nM)-induced, release of the peptide. This NT-3 (10 ng/ml)-induced inhibition persisted even in the presence of 100 ng/ml NGF in the perfusion fluid and was still significant when the evoked release of SP-LI was enhanced by a prolonged in vivo treatment with NGF. Co-superfusion with naloxone (0.1 microM), but not CGP 36742 (100 microM), a GABAB antagonist, prevented NT-3 (10 ng/ml) inhibition of SP-LI release. Basal and electrically evoked release of SP-LI from the rat spinal cord in vitro was not modified 24 hr after single systemic injection of either NGF (1 mg/kg) or NT-3 (10 mg/kg). At these time intervals from administration, NGF had induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat hindpaw, and NT-3 had induced mechanical, but not thermal, hypoalgesia. NT-3 administered six times over a 2 week period (at 1 mg/kg) did not alter thermal threshold but significantly reduced electrically evoked release of SP-LI from the spinal cord. An identical treatment regimen with 1 mg/kg NGF induced a significant increase in evoked release of SP-LI. However, this was not associated with a significant hyperalgesia. Although finding that NGF-induced hyperalgesia does not clearly correlate with changes in the release of SP-LI in the spinal cord, this study shows that NT-3 is an inhibitor of SP-LI release and suggests that this mechanism may be responsible for NT-3-induced antinociception.

Capsazocaine: A capsaicin-sensitive functional antagonist displays an argument on sensory capsaicin receptor

1. 1. Intravenous infusion of capsazocaine (CAPBZ), a molecular fusion product of irritant synthetic capsaicin and local analgesic benzocaine, at 100 μg/kg/min for 15 min inhibited capsaicin (10 μg/kg, IV)-induced spinal release of substance P-like immunoreactivity and vagus reflex responses in blood pressure and heart rate changes in rats. 2. 2. Intrathecal perfusion of CAPBZ (1.0 nM) also reversed retrograde epigastric intraarterial capsaicin (10 μg/kg)-induced hypotensive spinal reflex. 3. 3. In isolated guinea pig tissues, CAPBZ (1.0–100.0 μM) inhibited capsaicin (1.0 nM)-sensitive sensory and functional activities, including cardiatonic, bronchial, tracheal and ileal contractilities. CAPBZ is suggested to be a capsaicin antagonist.

Effects of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A on neurotransmitter release from peripheral non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A on neurotransmitter release from non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves (tachykininergic nerves) in the rabbit iris sphincter muscle. Cumulative application of cyclosporin A (0.1 to 10 microM) caused a slow onset of contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Both FK888 (1 microM) and capsaicin (10 microM), a substance P receptor antagonist and a substance P-depleting agent, respectively, inhibited the contractile effect of cyclosporin A, whereas atropine (1 microM) had no effect. Both cyclosporin A and capsaicin (10 microM) stimulated the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the iris. Neither the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (1 microM), the N-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker omega-conotoxin GVIA (1 microM) nor the P-type channel blocker omega-agatoxin IVA (0.2 microM) affected cyclosporin A (1 microM)-induced contraction. In contrast, the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine (10 microM) inhibited this contractile effect. These results suggest that cyclosporin A stimulates substance P-like tachykinin release by activating L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, resulting in contraction of the rabbit iris sphincter muscle.

Dynorphin-(1–8) inhibits the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of rats following a noxious mechanical stimulus

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the opioid peptide dynorphin-(1–8) on the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn during mechanical activation of peripheral nociceptors. A push-pull cannula was used to perfuse the dorsal horn of decerebrate/spinal transected rats before, during and following the application of a noxious mechanical stimulus to the ipsilateral hindpaw and lower limb. The collected perfusates were assayed for substance P-like immunoreactivity using radioimmunoassay. Dynorphin-(1–8) applied to the spinal cord at a concentration of 1 μM reduced the basal release of substance P-like immunoreactivity by 28±11% and prevented the mechanically evoked release of substance P-like immunoreactivity. This effect of dynorphin-(1–8) was reversed by 2 μM of the selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine. Moreover, blockade of the κ-opioid receptors by nor-binaltorphimine resulted in a 33±5% increase in the basal release of substance P-like immunoreactivity. These data show that activation of nor-binaltorphimine-sensitive sites by dynorphin-(1–8) results in inhibition of the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the rat. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Spontaneously released substance P and bradykinin from isolated guinea-pig bladder.

To investigate whether the isolated urinary bladder spontaneously releases substance P (SP) or bradykinin (BK), which can act as potent mediators of pain and inflammation of the urinary bladder, and whether peptidase inhibitors enhance peptide release. Urinary bladder segments (2 x 10 x 0.8-1 mm) were isolated from guinea pigs and studied in vitro; tissue contraction was assessed using force-displacement transducers and the release of peptides by specific enzyme immunoassays. In the absence of any exogenous agonists, the inhibition of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme by phosphoramidon and captopril, respectively, increased the frequency and magnitude of spontaneous motility of isolated bladder strips. Phosphoramidon increased the net release of SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) and captopril increased the net release of SP-LI and BK-LI, concomitant with contraction. Peptide-LI was recovered primarily from bladder mucosa and to a lesser degree from detrusor smooth muscle. Similarly, peptidase inhibitors primarily affected the bladder mucosa; phosphoramidon induced a fourfold increase in SP-LI and captopril induced a significant increase of SP-LI and BK-LI from the mucosa. Tissues contracted in response to peptidase inhibitors in the presence of atropine and indomethacin, but contraction was reduced significantly by in vitro capsaicin desensitization or removal of bladder mucosa. BK stimulated SP-LI release from mucosa but not detrusor. SP stimulated increased BK-LI release from mucosa and detrusor. These findings indicate the basal release of peptide-like immunoreactivity by isolated bladder and further support the concept that peptidases located in the bladder mucosa are important in terminating the effects of endogenous peptides.

Low but not high rate noxious radiant skin heating evokes a capsaicin-sensitive increase in spinal cord dorsal horn release of substance P

Some kinds of nociception appear to be partially mediated by the release of substance P(SP) in the spinal cord dorsal horn from terminals of primary afferent nociceptors. Only some nociceptors contain and release SP however. Specifically, SP appears to be released by unmyelinated (C) nociceptive afferents when activated by noxious stimulations to the skin, but does not appear to be contained in cutaneous myelinated (A δ) nociceptive afferents. We have proposed a model of nociception in rats that uses different rates of noxious skin heating to allow for differential assessment on behavioral responses mediated by the activation of A δ or C fiber nociceptors. As one means of testing the validity of this model we have examined the effects of using high and low rate noxiou skin heating on the dorsal horn release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in decerebrate/spinal transected animals. Consistent with the model, low rate skin heating evokes a significant increase in dorsal horn SPLI release indicating C fiber mediation, whereas high rate skin heating did not evoke SP release, indicating mediation by afferents other than C afferents i.e. A δ nociceptive afferents. Also consistent with behavioral effects, topical application of capsaiein, which sensitizes C nociceptors, increased the SPLI release evoked by low but not high rate skin heating. These data provide additional evidence that foot withdrawals evoked by low rate skin heating are mediated by C fiber activation, whereas foot withdrawals evoked by high rate skin heating evoked by A δ fiber activation.

α-Lipoic acid corrects neuropeptide deficits in diabetic rats via induction of trophic support

This study compared the effects of treatment of diabetic rats with either α-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg/day i.p. 5 days/week) or with recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF; 0.2 mg/kg s.c. 3 days/week) on NGF-like immunoreactivity (NGFLI) and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPYLI) levels in the sciatic nerve and on the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) from the spinal cord in response to electrical stimulation of the dorsal roots in vitro. Diabetic rats showed depletion of NGFLI and NPYLI, together with reduced release of SPLI. Treatment with NGF increased the sciatic nerve NGFLI (to four times that seen in untreated diabetic rats) and normalised stimulus-evoked release of SPLI, but did not affect the sciatic nerve NPYLI. Treatment with α-lipoic acid caused a small non-significant increase in sciatic nerve NGFLI, but normalised both NPYLI levels and stimulus-evoked release of SPLI. These findings indicate that α-lipoic acid can boost neurotrophic support in diabetic rats, with effects beyond those related to NGF.

Endogenous adenosine inhibits evoked substance P release from perifused networks of myenteric ganglia.

Isolated myenteric ganglion networks were prepared from guinea pig ileum and were used in a perifusion protocol to examine the effects of interstitial adenosine on evoked release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI). The release of SPLI evoked by elevated extracellular K+ concentration was increased in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), indicating tonic inhibition of SPLI release and revealing net inhibitory interganglionic transmission. Perifusion in the presence of the adenosine A1 receptor-selective antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine enhanced evoked SPLI release, which was further enhanced in the additional presence of TTX, indicating that adenosine contributes some, but not all, of the overall inhibitory tone within the networks. In addition to neural release of adenosine per se, an additional source was investigated. Perifusion in the presence of alpha, beta-methylene-ADP plus guanosine 5'-monophosphate, which inhibits ecto-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity, enhanced SPLI release, indicating that hydrolysis of released ATP contributes to the total interstitial nucleoside concentration and thereby to the overall inhibitory tone. It is concluded that endogenous adenosine, some of which arises from ATP metabolism, is an important contributor to the overall inhibitory tone present in myenteric ganglion networks.

δ-Opioid receptor modulation of the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the rat following mechanical or thermal noxious stimulation

δ-Opioid receptor modulation of the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the rat following mechanical or thermal noxious stimulation

δ-Opioid receptor modulation of the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the rat following mechanical or thermal noxious stimulation

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the opioid peptide Met-enkephalin (met-enk) on the release of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in the lumbar dorsal horn during the application of a noxious mechanical or thermal stimulus to the ipsilateral hind paw and lower limb of the rat. A push-pull cannula was introduced to the lumbar dorsal horn in non-anesthetized decerebrate/spinal transected rats. The dorsal horn was perfused with artificial CSF and the collected perfusates were assayed for SPLI using radioimmunoassay. A noxious mechanical or thermal stimulus was applied to different areas of the ipsilateral hind paw and lower limb. Met-enk (500 nM) applied to the dorsal horn through the perfusate reduced the basal release of SPLI by 29 ± 9% and prevented the increase in the release of SPLI evoked by the noxious mechanical or thermal stimulus. The effect of met-enk was blocked by the selective δ-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (500 nM). Naltrindole (NTD) alone elicited a 75 ± 30% increase in the basal release of SPLI. These data show that met-enk inhibits the thermally or mechanically evoked release of SPLI in the dorsal horn by activating the delta opioid receptors. These receptors are also involved in the tonic spinal regulation of the release of SPLI.

Kappa-opioid receptor modulation of the release of substance P in the dorsal horn

Substance P (SP), a member of the tachykinin peptide family, has been found in high concentrations in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn and it is thought to play a major role in the transmission of nociceptive information. Dynorphin(1–8), an opioid peptide with high selectivity for the κ-opioid receptor subtype, is also found in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dynorphin(1–8) on the release of SP-like-immunoreactivity (SPLI) in the dorsal horn before and during the activation of peripheral nociceptors by a thermal stimulus. A push-pull canula was used to perfuse the dorsal horn of non-anesthetized decerebrate/spinal transected rats and the collected perfusates were assayed for SPLI by using radioimmunoassay. Dynorphin(1–8) applied to the spinal cord at a concentration of 1 μM elicited a 27 ± 8% decrease in the basal release of SPLI and prevented the increase in the release of SPLI evoked by the application of a noxious thermal stimulus to the ipsilateral hind paw and lower limb. The effect of dynorphin(1–8) was reversed by 2 μM of nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist. Application of nor-BNI alone to the perfusate resulted in a 62 ± 23% increase in the basal release of SPLI. In conclusion, dynorphin(1–8) reduces the basal release of SPLI and prevents the increase in the release of SPLI elicited by the application of a noxious cutaneous thermal stimulus. This effect is mediated through the κ-opioid receptor, which appears to tonically regulate the release of SPLI in the dorsal horn.