Modifications of serotonin-, substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivities in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord of arthritic rats: a quantitative immunocytochemical study.
Adjuvant-induced arthritis has been produced in adult rats in order to study the reorganization of serotonergic innervation in the spinal cord dorsal horn in a model of chronic pain. Immunocytochemical detection of CGRP and substance P was quantified with an image analyzer, and we found a transient increase for both peptides at 1 and 2 months, followed by a decrease to control levels after four months. At variance, quantification of serotonergic immunoreactivity showed a significant increase which persisted throughout the study. The significance of this finding is discussed with comparison of other experimental models involving reorganization of primary afferents to the spinal cord.
Marlier
L
L
INSERM U-336, Développement, Plasticité et Vieillissement du Système Nerveux, USTL, Montpellier, France.
Poulat
P
P
Rajaofetra
N
N
Privat
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000737:chemistry*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D012701:Serotonin; D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide