title: PGI2-induced activation and sensitization of articular mechanonociceptors.
abstract: The effects of PGE2 PGI2 and the stable PGI2 analogue cicaprost on the afferent discharge of ankle joint mechanonociceptors were studied in the anaesthetized rat. Close-arterial injection of PGI2 (0.01-0.1 micrograms) or cicaprost (0.05-5 micrograms) caused both sensitization to mechanical stimulation and excitation of the majority of mechanonociceptors, whereas PGE2 (0.03-3 micrograms) had only weak effects on a small number of nociceptive units. These results suggest the existence of specific PGI2 sensitive receptors (IP receptors) on rat sensory afferent nerves, and support the hypothesis that in the rat endogenous PGI2 plays an important role in the lowering of nociceptive thresholds in inflamed joints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Edinburgh Medical School, U.K.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Birrell
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: McQueen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iggo
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Grubb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011464:Epoprostenol; D015232:Dinoprostone; C043867:cicaprost