Effect of transganglionic degenerative atrophy on opiate receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
We investigated alterations in opiate-binding sites in the upper dorsal horn after transection of the related peripheral sensory nerve in rats. The binding of (3H)diprenorphine was measured autoradiographically. The findings indicated a shift of the binding sites, rather than a degenerating disappearance, with a decrease in nerve fibers but an increase in nerve cells. This may be due to latent opiate-binding sites becoming manifest.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D003714:Denervation; D004174:Diprenorphine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism*; D009019:Morphinans / Q000378:metabolism*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000378:metabolism
D009019:Morphinans; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D004174:Diprenorphine