Selective loss of spinal GABAergic or glycinergic neurons is not necessary for development of thermal hyperalgesia in the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain

Polgár, E., Hughes, D.I. , Riddell, J.S. , Maxwell, D.J. , Puskár, Z. and Todd, A.J. (2003) Selective loss of spinal GABAergic or glycinergic neurons is not necessary for development of thermal hyperalgesia in the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain. Pain, 104(1), pp. 229-239. (doi: 10.1016/S0304-3959(03)00011-3)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3959(03)00011-3

Abstract

<p>GABA and glycine are inhibitory neurotransmitters used by many neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, and intrathecal administration of GABAA and glycine receptor antagonists produces behavioural signs of allodynia, suggesting that these transmitters have an important role in spinal pain mechanisms. Several studies have described a substantial loss of GABA-immunoreactive neurons from the dorsal horn in nerve injury models, and it has been suggested that this may be associated with a loss of inhibition, which contributes to the behavioural signs of neuropathic pain.</p> <p>We have carried out a quantitative stereological analysis of the proportions of neurons in laminae I, II and III of the rat dorsal horn that show GABA- and/or glycine-immunoreactivity 2 weeks after nerve ligation in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model, as well as in sham-operated and naı̈ve animals. At this time, rats that had undergone CCI showed a significant reduction in the latency of withdrawal of the ipsilateral hindpaw to a radiant heat stimulus, suggesting that thermal hyperalgesia had developed. However, we did not observe any change in the proportion of neurons in laminae I–III of the ipsilateral dorsal horn that showed GABA- or glycine-immunoreactivity compared to the contralateral side in these animals, and these proportions did not differ significantly from those seen in sham-operated or naı̈ve animals. In addition, we did not see any evidence for alterations of GABA- or glycine-immunostaining in the neuropil of laminae I–III in the animals that had undergone CCI.</p> <p>Our results suggest that significant loss of GABAergic or glycinergic neurons is not necessary for the development of thermal hyperalgesia in the CCI model of neuropathic pain.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hughes, Dr David I and Beresford-Polgar, Dr Erika and Todd, Professor Andrew and Maxwell, Professor David and Riddell, Professor John
Authors: Polgár, E., Hughes, D.I., Riddell, J.S., Maxwell, D.J., Puskár, Z., and Todd, A.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Pain
ISSN:0304-3959

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