Galanin-like immunoreactivity in capsaicin sensitive sensory neurons and ganglia.
In rats treated with capsaicin (CAP) as neonates, galanin-like (GA) immunoreactivity is markedly decreased in the trigeminal ganglion and the dorsal root ganglia as well as in the superficial layers of the dorsal spinal cord (laminae I and II), the substantia gelatinosa, the nucleus and tractus of the spinal trigeminal nerve and the nucleus commissuralis. Since CAP causes selective degeneration of primary sensory neurons of the C-fiber type and type B-cells of sensory ganglia, it is concluded that GA in CAP-sensitive primary sensory neurons represents a novel peptidergic system possibly involved in the transformation or modulation of peripheral nociceptive impulses. This system differs from the CAP-resistant GA-like neurons in other brain areas.
Skofitsch
G
G
Jacobowitz
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019004:Galanin; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000378:metabolism
D010455:Peptides; D019004:Galanin; D002211:Capsaicin