Characterization of somatosensory neuron involvement in the SOD1 mouse model.

SOD1 mice show loss of cutaneous small fibers, as in ALS patients. Our objective is to characterize the involvement of different somatosensory neuron populations and its temporal progression in the SOD1 mice. We aim to further define peripheral sensory involvement, analyzing at the same time points the neuronal bodies located in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the distal part of their axons in the skin, in order to shed light in the mechanisms of sensory involvement in ALS.

Proteomic quantitative study of dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve in type 2 diabetic mice.

Objective: Peripheral neuropathy is the most common and debilitating complication of type 2 diabetes, leading to sensory loss, dysautonomia, hyperalgesia, and spontaneous noxious sensations. Despite the clinical and economic burden of diabetic neuropathy, no effective treatment is available. More preclinical research must be conducted in order to gain further understanding of the aetiology of the disease and elucidate new therapeutic targets.

Involvement of sensory innervation in the skin of SOD1(G93A) ALS mice.

Sensory alterations have been described in both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and mouse models. While involvement of intraepidermal and subepidermal axons has been shown in skin biopsies of ALS patients, it is unclear if the SOD1(G93A) mouse presents similar alterations. We analyzed the epidermal and dermal innervation, based on PGP9.

GAL3 receptor KO mice exhibit an anxiety-like phenotype.

The neuropeptide galanin (GAL) is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is a modulator of various physiological and pathological processes, and it mediates its effects via three G protein-coupled receptors (GAL1-3 receptors). A role for GAL as a modulator of mood and anxiety was suggested, because GAL and its receptors are highly expressed in limbic brain structures of rodents.

Sudomotor function and sweat gland innervation in galanin knockout mice.

The presence of galanin and galanin binding sites in sweat gland has been demonstrated previously. In order to investigate whether galanin can influence sweat gland function, we compared sweating induced in footpads of wild type and galanin knockout mice by cholinergic and thermal stimulation using the silicone impression technique. Pilocarpine injections resulted in a similar number of reactive sweat glands and non-significant difference in the amount of sweat secretion in wild type and galanin knockout mice.

Neurophysiological, histological and immunohistochemical characterization of bortezomib-induced neuropathy in mice.

Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is an antineoplastic drug to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Its most clinically significant adverse event is peripheral sensory neuropathy. Our objective was to characterize the neuropathy induced by bortezomib in a mouse model.

New silicones for the evaluation of sudomotor function with the impression mold technique.

Three new silicone-based impression materials manufactured for use in dentistry (Silasoft, CutterSil and Xantopren) have been evaluated for the silicone mold sweat test in humans and mice and compared with the well-known silicone material Elasticon. The new materials produced more translucent molds and the sweat impressions show less contrast than Elasticon. Molds made of Xantopren and CutterSil retained air bubbles that make counting of sweat impressions more difficult than with Elasticon.

Changes in mouse sudomotor function and sweat gland innervation with ageing.

Age-related changes in sudomotor neuroeffector function have been evaluated in mice aged 2 (young), 6, 12 (adult) and 18 (old) months. We evaluated sudomotor function by determining the number of sweat glands reactive to pilocarpine and the sweat output per gland on the plantar surface of the hindpaws with the impression mould technique. Protein gene product 9.