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Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research

A role of periaqueductal grey NR2B-containing NMDA receptor in mediating persistent inflammatory pain

Authors: Jing Hu, Zhe Wang, Yan-Yan Guo, Xiao-Nan Zhang, Zhao-Hui Xu, Shui-Bing Liu, Hong-Ju Guo, Qi Yang, Fu-Xing Zhang, Xiao-Li Sun, Ming-Gao Zhao

Published in: Molecular Pain | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) is a structure known for its roles in pain transmission and modulation. Noxious stimuli potentiate the glutamate synaptic transmission and enhance glutamate NMDA receptor expression in the PAG. However, little is known about roles of NMDA receptor subunits in the PAG in processing the persistent inflammatory pain. The present study was undertaken to investigate NR2A- and NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG and their modulation to the peripheral painful inflammation. Noxious stimuli induced by hind-paw injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) caused up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG, while NR2A-containing NMDA receptors were not altered. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that NMDA receptor mediated mEPSCs were increased significantly in the PAG synapse during the chronic phases of inflammatory pain in mice. PAG local infusion of Ro 25-6981, an NR2B antagonist, notably prolonged the paw withdrawal latency to thermal radian heat stimuli bilaterally in rats. Hyperoside (Hyp), one of the flavonoids compound isolated from Rhododendron ponticum L., significantly reversed up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG and exhibited analgesic activities against persistent inflammatory stimuli in mice. Our findings provide strong evidence that up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG involves in the modulation to the peripheral persistent inflammatory pain.

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Title: A role of periaqueductal grey NR2B-containing NMDA receptor in mediating persistent inflammatory pain
Authors: Jing Hu
Zhe Wang
Yan-Yan Guo
Xiao-Nan Zhang
Zhao-Hui Xu
Shui-Bing Liu
Hong-Ju Guo
Qi Yang
Fu-Xing Zhang
Xiao-Li Sun
Ming-Gao Zhao
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Molecular Pain / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1744-8069
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8069-5-71

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A role of periaqueductal grey NR2B-containing NMDA receptor in mediating persistent inflammatory pain

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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