Spinal activation of the NPY Y1 receptor reduces mechanical and cold allodynia in rats with chronic constriction injury.

Neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and its associated receptors Y1R and Y2R have been previously implicated in the spinal modulation of neuropathic pain induced by total or partial sectioning of the sciatic nerve. However, their role in chronic constrictive injuries of the sciatic nerve has not yet been described. In the present study, we analyzed the consequences of pharmacological activation of spinal Y1R, by using the specific Y1R agonist LeuPro-NPY, in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI).

Systemic Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Promotes Axonal Regeneration and Analgesia in a Model of Wallerian Degeneration.

Background: Reinnervation timing after nerve injury is critical for favorable axonal regeneration, remyelination, and clinical improvement. Considering bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) are easily obtained and readily available for transplant, this work analyzed the effect of BMMC systemic administration on nerve repair and pain behavior.

Methods: Adult rats with sciatic nerve crush were immediately and systemically injected BMMC through the caudal artery.

VGLUTs and Glutamate Synthesis-Focus on DRG Neurons and Pain.

The amino acid glutamate is the principal excitatory transmitter in the nervous system, including in sensory neurons that convey pain sensation from the periphery to the brain. It is now well established that a family of membrane proteins, termed vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), serve a critical function in these neurons: they incorporate glutamate into synaptic vesicles. VGLUTs have a central role both under normal neurotransmission and pathological conditions, such as neuropathic or inflammatory pain.

Axotomy of tributaries of the pelvic and pudendal nerves induces changes in the neurochemistry of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons and the spinal cord.

Using immunohistochemical techniques, we characterized changes in the expression of several neurochemical markers in lumbar 4-sacral 2 (L4-S2) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron profiles (NPs) and the spinal cord of BALB/c mice after axotomy of the L6 and S1 spinal nerves, major tributaries of the pelvic (targeting pelvic visceral organs) and pudendal (targeting perineum and genitalia) nerves. Sham animals were included. Expression of cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor 3 (ATF3), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V, member 1 (TRPV1), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT) types 1 and -2 was analysed seven days after injury.