title: Differential involvement of conotoxin-sensitive mechanisms in neurogenic vasodilatation responses: effects of age.
abstract: During aging there is a decline in sensory nerve function that is associated with reduced neurogenic inflammation and poor wound repair. The cellular mechanism(s) responsible for this decline in function with age is not well understood. We previously reported that sensory nerves in aged rats release sensory neuropeptides preferentially in response to low-frequency (5 Hz) as compared with higher-frequency (15 Hz) antidromic electrical stimulation, and that low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation accelerates wound healing. The present study investigates possible mechanisms for this preferential response. Using laser Doppler techniques, we have measured changes in blood flow in the base of vacuum-induced blisters induced in the rat hind footpad of young and old animals in response to low-frequency (5 Hz) or high-frequency (15 Hz) electrical stimulation (20 V, 2 ms for 1 minute) of the sciatic nerve. The relative contributions of the sensory neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and of N-type voltage-gated calcium channels to the vascular responses were assessed by using the specific receptor antagonists RP67580, which is 2-(1-imino-2-(2 methoxy phyenyl) ethyl)-7,7 diphenyl-4 perhydroisoindolone-(3aR, 7aR); CGRP(8-37); and omega-conotoxin GVIA (Conus geographus), respectively. The results showed a greater involvement of substance P at high-frequency electrical stimulation and of CGRP at low-frequency stimulation. Our finding that omega-conotoxin-sensitive N-type calcium channel function was preserved with age and was only involved in the vascular response to low-frequency electrical stimulation could explain our previous report demonstrating beneficial effects of low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to wound repair in aged animals. The current results have important practical implications for improving tissue repair in the aged.
authors.affiliation: National Ageing Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Poplar Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia 3052. z.khalil@nari.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merhi
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Livett
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001768:Blister / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012016:Reference Values; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020960:omega-Conotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D009479:Neuropeptides; D020960:omega-Conotoxins; D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide