title: Morphologic and quantitative changes in neurotransmitters in the lumbar spinal cord after acute or chronic mechanical compression of the cauda equina.
abstract: Changes in the neurotransmitters associated with pain transmission and regulation in the lumbar spinal cord were studied after acute or chronic mechanical compression of the cauda equina in rats. Using glyoxylic acid histofluorescence and immunohistochemical methods, it was morphologically apparent that substance P-containing nerve ending were decreased after chronic compression of the cauda equina. Somatostatin nerve terminals were reduced, and aminergic fibers and serotonin were enhanced after both acute and chronic mechanical compressions. In addition, quantitative analysis revealed that the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin remained elevated after mechanical compression of the cauda equina. It is suggested that pain in the lower back and extremities after mechanical compression of the cauda equina is controlled by these complicated changes of neurotransmitters in the lumbar spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tamaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002420:Cauda Equina; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000473:pathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013373:Substance P