Fibroblast growth factor-2 depresses the impulse activity of rat dorsal horn neurones in vivo.
The neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) are well known. Almost no information is available, however, about possible FGF-2 effects on neuronal electrical activity in vivo. In the present study, the effects of spinal application of FGF-2 on the discharges of lumbar dorsal horn neurones were studied in anaesthetized rats. FGF-2 depressed the background activity and reduced the proportion of cells dominated by low-threshold mechanosensitive input. In contrast, the proportion of units with C-fibre input was increased. Nitric oxide appears not to be involved in the depression of background activity. The results suggest that elevated levels of intrathecal FGF-2 affect sensory processing by depressing low-threshold mechanoreception.
Hoheisel
U
U
Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie, Heidelberg, Germany.
Krieglstein
K
K
Mense
S
S
D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000187:drug effects*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2