Induction of spinal NADPH-diaphorase by nerve injury is attenuated by adrenal medullary transplants.
Persistent sensory abnormalities consequent to injury may involve prolonged neuroplastic changes in the spinal cord similar to those in long-term potentiation. Molecular markers, like the putative nitric oxide synthase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d), can be useful indicators of increased neuronal activity. Peripheral nerve injury markedly increased NADPH-d-labeling in sensory regions of the spinal cord, paralleling induction of abnormal pain (hyperalgesia). Both NADPH-d activation and hyperalgesia were reversed by transplantation of opioid/catecholamine-producing adrenal medullary tissue into the spinal subarachnoid space. These results suggest that adrenal medullary transplants can attenuate abnormal neuronal activity consequent to injury.
Hama
A T
AT
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612.
Sagen
J
J
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase