The effect of sex hormones on orofacial pain modulation is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of hormonal changes as a result of pregnancy, as well as that of the kappa (kappa) opioid receptor antagonist on female rats' sensitivity to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) formalin test. Initially, female rats at estrus and pregnant females on day 19 of pregnancy received a 50 microl formalin (1.5%) injection in the right TMJ. The pregnant females showed a reduction in nociceptive responses to the TMJ formalin test when compared with those at estrus. Then, the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-Binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), was co-administered with the formalin. Next, additional groups received the kappa (200 microg) receptor antagonist or 0.9% NaCl 24 hours prior to the periarticular injection of formalin. Co-administration of nor-BNI with formalin into the TMJ region had no significant effect. The pre-injection of selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-BNI, significantly enhanced the nociceptive behavioral responses in pregnant females. When applied in the contralateral TMJ, nor-BNI did not affect the magnitude of the nociceptive response induced by formalin. It can be concluded that: 1) The increase of the sex hormone levels, as result of pregnancy, induces a reduction of nociceptive behavioral responses to the TMJ formalin test; 2) the peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation, by endogenous opioid agonists release, is involved in the antinociception to TMJ formalin test, induced by pregnancy.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2004.10.019 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Beyond checkpoint inhibitors: the three generations of immunotherapy.
Clin Exp Med
January 2025
LSU-LCMC Cancer Center, LSU School of Medicine, 1700 Tulane Avenue, Room 510, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
Anti-tumor immunotherapy was rediscovered and rejuvenated in the last two decades with the discovery of CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 and the roles in inhibiting immune function and tumor evasion of anti-tumor immune response. Following the approval of the first checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab against CTLA-4 in melanoma in 2011, there has been a rapid development of tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, additional positive and negative molecules among the T-cell regulatory systems have been identified that that function to fine tune the stimulatory or inhibitory immune cells and modulate their functions (checkpoint modulators).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFα-Adrenoreceptor blocker phentolamine inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels via the local anaesthetic binding site.
Br J Pharmacol
January 2025
Institute of Neurophysiology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Background And Purpose: Phentolamine is a non-selective α-adrenoreceptor antagonist used to reverse local anaesthesia, for example, during dental procedures when a vasoconstrictor is co-applied. Phentolamine-mediated vasodilation leads to faster clearance of injected drugs. Previous electrophysiological studies hypothesized that phentolamine acts as a modulator of voltage-gated sodium channels, which could conflict with its indication as local anaesthetic reversal agent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransfer of the Oral Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Antagonist Relugolix Into Breast Milk of Healthy Lactating Women.
Pharmacol Res Perspect
February 2025
Sumitomo Pharma Switzerland GmbH, Basel, Switzerland.
Relugolix is an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist that suppresses sex steroid hormones and is approved as monotherapy for prostate cancer and as a fixed-dose combination with estradiol/norethindrone for the treatment of endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The aim of this postmarketing study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and quantify the amount of relugolix excreted into breast milk of healthy lactating women. Following a single, oral dose of 40 mg relugolix, breast milk was sampled over 120 h.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLAG Time in the Era of Immunotherapy-New Molecular Insights Into the Immunosuppression Mechanism of Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3.
Immunol Rev
March 2025
Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
The immune checkpoint receptor lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) inhibits T-cell activation and was recently validated as a target for cancer immunotherapy. Despite its emergence as a therapeutic target, a lack of molecular-level insight has obscured our understanding of the LAG3 immunosuppression mechanism. This review highlights a series of breakthroughs that have illuminated fundamental aspects of LAG3 molecular biology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBlocking the mineralocorticoid receptor prevents cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction through the activation of NOX-4 in female hormone deprivation rats.
Acta Physiol (Oxf)
March 2025
Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil.
Aim: Young women exhibit lower rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than age-matched men, a protective effect often attributed to estrogen's influence on cardiac and mitochondrial function. The risk of CVD increases in post-menopausal women, likely due to estrogen deficiency and aldosterone's negative effects, including those on mitochondria and other cellular targets. This study aimed to explore the link between estrogen deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!