The mast cell degranulator compound 48/80 directly activates neurons.

Background: Compound 48/80 is widely used in animal and tissue models as a "selective" mast cell activator. With this study we demonstrate that compound 48/80 also directly activates enteric neurons and visceral afferents.

Methodology/principal Findings: We used in vivo recordings from extrinsic intestinal afferents together with Ca(++) imaging from primary cultures of DRG and nodose neurons.

Critical evaluation of the streptozotocin model of painful diabetic neuropathy in the rat.

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in the rat has been increasingly used as a model of painful diabetic neuropathy to assess the efficacies of potential analgesic agents. We have established this model, and here we question whether the changes in nocifensive reflex activity, used as a measure of hyperalgesia, are genuinely indicative of peripheral neuropathy or may rather be attributed to the extreme poor health of the animals. For comparison we have examined animals with peripheral neuropathy induced by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve.