Background: Alterations in the levels of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) have been reported in patients with primary headaches, including migraines and cluster headaches. These clinical observations suggest that N/OFQ is involved in the pathogenesis of primary headaches.
Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the role of N/OFQ in the control of trigeminal nociception and cortical excitation.
Methods: Cortical spreading depression (CSD) was elicited in Wistar rats by cortical application of potassium chloride, and electrocorticograms were recorded. N/OFQ was administered via an intracisternal injection. The presence of CSD-evoked trigeminal nociception was determined with Fos and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) immunoreactivity.
Results: Nociceptin/orphanin FQ produced a biphasic effect on CSD generation, characterized by an initial attenuation followed by delayed potentiation. The amplitude of CSD waves were lower in the initial period but increased in the later period. The total number of CSD waves recorded in 1 hour was greater in the N/OFQ-treated group. Exposure to N/OFQ significantly increased the number of Fos-immunoreactive cells in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis and the number of TRPV1-immunoreactive cells in the trigeminal ganglia, indicating the enhancement of trigeminal nociception.
Conclusion: These results indicate that N/OFQ can lead to biphasic effect characterized by an initial inhibition, and delay potentiation that eventually intensify CSD-evoked trigeminal nociception.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01958.x | DOI Listing |
Cells
January 2025
Laboratory of Food and Physiological Sciences, Department of Life and Food Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan.
While the impact of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on modulating nociceptive secondary neuron activity has been documented, it is still unknown how EGCG affects the excitability of nociceptive primary neurons in vivo. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether administering EGCG locally in rats reduces the excitability of nociceptive primary trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons in response to mechanical stimulation in vivo. In anesthetized rats, TG neuronal extracellular single unit recordings were made in response to both non-noxious and noxious mechanical stimuli.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPharmaceuticals (Basel)
November 2024
Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is chronic pain caused by damage to the somatosensorial system on the trigeminal nerve or its branches, which involves peripheral and central dysfunction pain pathways. Trigeminal pain triggers disruptive pain in regions of the face, including within and around the mouth. Besides clinical experiences, translating the language of suffering into scientific terminology presents substantial challenges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFbioRxiv
December 2024
Center for Pain Therapeutics and Addiction Research, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA.
Truncated TrkB (TrkBT1), traditionally considered a dominant-negative regulator of full-length TrkB (TrkBTK+), remains poorly understood in peripheral sensory neurons, particularly nociceptors. Furthermore, sensory neuronal TrkB expression and function has been traditionally associated with non-nociceptive neurons, particularly Aδ low-threshold mechanoreceptors. This study challenges prevailing assumptions by demonstrating that TrkBT1 is the predominant TrkB isoform expressed in sensory neurons and plays a functional role in modulating neuronal activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExp Eye Res
January 2025
Laboratory of Ocular Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:
Substance P (SP) expressed by corneal nerves, is an 11-amino acid long neuropeptide from the tachykinin family, encoded by the Tac1 gene, and binds to neurokinin receptors. SP overexpression is associated with various pathological responses in the cornea including vasodilation, pain, inflammation, and angiogenesis in the normally avascular tissue. This study investigates the role of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) mediated signaling in nociception, nerve regeneration, and neuronal activation following mechanical corneal injury in mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pharmacol
February 2025
Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), 97105-900, Santa Maria (RS), Brazil. Electronic address:
Orofacial pain is one of the most common causes of chronic pain leading to physical and cognitive disability. Several clinical and pre-clinical studies suggest that chronic pain results in cognitive impairment. However, there is a lack of meta-analyses examining the effects of orofacial pain models on behavioral learning and memory in rodents.
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