Investigating the role of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus in nociception in the rat.
We investigated the role of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) in nociception in the rat. Electrical stimulation of the SON or microinjection of a small dose of L-glutamate sodium into the SON elevated the nociceptive threshold in a dose-dependent manner, while cauterization of the SON decreased the nociceptive threshold. Pituitary removal did not influence the antinociceptive effect of L-glutamate sodium in the SON. The data suggested that the neurons and not the nervous fibers in the SON played an important role in antinociception.
Yang
Jun
J
Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Science, Guangdong Bangmin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China. yj6676@yahoo.com
Yang
Yu
Y
Chen
Jian-Min
JM
Liu
Wen-Yan
WY
Lin
Bao-Chen
BC
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery
D018698:Glutamic Acid