GABA(A) and 5-HT(3) receptors are involved in dorsal root reflexes: possible role in periaqueductal gray descending inhibition.
The dorsal root reflex (DRR) is a measure of the central excitability of presynaptic inhibitory circuits in the spinal cord. Activation of the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a center for descending inhibition of spinal cord nociceptive transmission, induces release of variety of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord, including GABA and serotonin (5-HT). GABA has been shown to be involved in generation of DRRs. In this study, pharmacological agents that influence DRRs and their possible mechanisms were investigated. DRRs were recorded in anesthetized rats from filaments teased from the cut central stump of the left L(4) or L(5) dorsal root, using a monopolar recording electrode. Stimulating electrodes were placed either on the left sciatic nerve or transcutaneously in the left foot. Animals were paralyzed and maintained by artificial ventilation. Drugs were applied topically to the spinal cord. A total of 64 units were recorded in 34 Sprague-Dawley rats. Peripheral receptive fields were found for nine of these units. In these units, DRRs were evoked by brush, pressure, and pinch stimuli. Nine units were tested for an effect of electrical stimulation in the periaqueductal gray on the DRRs. In eight cases, DRR responses were enhanced following PAG stimulation. The background activity was 4.2 +/- 1.9 spikes/s (mean +/- SE; range: 0-97.7; n = 57). The responses to agents applied to the spinal cord were (in spikes/s): artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 7.1 +/- 3.6 (range: 0-86.9; n = 25); 0.1 mM GABA, 16.8 +/- 8.7 (range: 0-191.0; n = 22); 1.0 mM GABA, 116.0 +/- 26.5 (range: 0.05-1001.2; n = 50); and 1.0 mM phenylbiguanide (PBG), 68.1 +/- 25.3 (range: 0-1,073.0; n = 49). Bicuculline (0.5 mM, n = 27) and ondansetron (1.0 mM, n = 10) blocked the GABA and PBG effects, respectively (P < 0.05). Significant cross blockade was also observed. It is concluded that GABA(A) receptors are likely to play a key role in the generation of DRRs, but that 5-HT(3) receptors may also contribute. DRRs can be modulated by supraspinal mechanisms through descending systems.
Peng
Y B
YB
Pain and Neurosensory Mechanisms Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Wu
J
J
Willis
W D
WD
Kenshalo
D R
DR
D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000494:pharmacology; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D018756:GABA Antagonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001640:Bicuculline