Peripheral and spinal mechanisms of nociception in a rat reserpine-induced pain model. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taguchi, Toru; Katanosaka, Kimiaki; Yasui, Masaya; Hayashi, Koei; Yamashita, Mai; Wakatsuki, Koji; Kiyama, Hiroshi; Yamanaka, Akihiro; Mizumura, Kazue
• Is Part Of: Pain. Volume 156:Issue 3(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Nociceptors -- Dorsal root ganglion -- Pain-related ion channels -- Spinal microglia -- Reserpine -- Rat; Pain -- Periodicals; Douleur -- Périodiques; Anesthésie -- Périodiques; Pain; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.0472
• DOI: 10.1097/01.j.pain.0000460334.49525.5e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3959

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Chronic widespread pain is a serious medical problem, yet the mechanisms of nociception and pain are poorly understood. Using a reserpine-induced pain model originally reported as a putative animal model for fibromyalgia, this study was undertaken to examine the following: (1) expression of several ion channels responsible for pain, mechanotransduction, and generation/propagation of action potentials in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), (2) activities of peripheral nociceptive afferents, and (3) alterations in spinal microglial cells. A significant increase in mRNA expression of the acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)-3 was detected in the DRG, and the behavioral mechanical hyperalgesia was significantly reversed by subcutaneous injection of APETx2, a selective blocker of ASIC3. Single-fiber recordings in vitro revealed facilitated mechanical responses of mechanoresponsive C-fibers both in the skin and muscle although the proportion of mechanoresponsive C-nociceptors was paradoxically decreased. In the spinal dorsal horn, microglial cells labeled with Iba1 immunoreactivity was activated, especially in laminae I-II where the nociceptive input is mainly processed compared with the other laminae. The activated microglia and behavioral hyperalgesia were significantly tranquilized by intraperitoneal injection of minocycline. These results suggest that the increase in ASIC3 in the DRG facilitated mechanical response of the remaining C-nociceptors and that activated spinal microglia may direct to intensify pain in this model. Pain may be further amplified by reserpine-induced dysfunction of the descending pain inhibitory system and by the decrease in peripheral drive to this system resulting from a reduced proportion of mechanoresponsive C-nociceptors. Abstract : In a reserpine-induced pain model, both peripheral and spinal mechanisms of nociception were identified and may be relevant to chronic widespread pain in patients.