Abstract
Mustard oil application to tooth pulp produces central sensitization in rat medullary dorsal horn (MDH) nociceptive neurons, which has been implicated in persistent pain mechanisms. We found that superfusion onto MDH of methylaminoisobutyric acid, a competitive inhibitor of the neuronal system A transporter for presynaptic uptake of glutamine (a glutamate precursor released from astroglia), significantly depressed development of mustard oil-induced central sensitization in rat MDH nociceptive neurons. This finding indicates that the system A transporter is required for the expression of central sensitization and confirms the important roles of astroglia, glutamine and presynaptic modulation of glutamate release in the development of central sensitization.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Transport System A / antagonists & inhibitors
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Animals
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Dental Pulp / innervation
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Drug Interactions
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Glutamine / metabolism*
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Glutamine / pharmacokinetics
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Male
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Medulla Oblongata / cytology
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Medulla Oblongata / metabolism*
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Mustard Plant
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Nociceptors / drug effects
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Nociceptors / physiology*
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Pain / physiopathology
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Pain / prevention & control
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Pain Threshold / drug effects
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Plant Oils / pharmacology
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Posterior Horn Cells / cytology
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Posterior Horn Cells / metabolism*
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Rats
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Stimulation, Chemical
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Time Factors
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Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus / cytology
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Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus / metabolism
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beta-Alanine / analogs & derivatives
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beta-Alanine / pharmacology
Substances
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Amino Acid Transport System A
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Plant Oils
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Glutamine
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beta-Alanine
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2,2-dimethyl-beta-alanine
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mustard oil