title: Glutamate-mediated spinal reflex potentiation involves ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in anesthetized rats.
abstract: The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascades are suggested to contribute to excitatory plasticity in the CNS, including the spinal cord. This study investigated whether the ERK involves in the repetitive stimulation-induced spinal reflex potentiation (SRP) in the pelvic nerve-to-external urethra sphincter reflex activities. External urethra sphincter electromyogram in response to pelvic afferent nerve test stimulation (TS, 1/30 Hz) or repetitive stimulation (RS, 1 Hz) was recorded in anesthetized rats. TS evoked a baseline reflex activity, whereas RS produced SRP in associated with significant ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. RS-induced SRP and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation were both abolished by pretreatment of U0126 (MEK inhibitor). Intrathecal CNQX (AMPA receptor antagonist) attenuated, while AP5 (NMDA receptor antagonist) abolished the RS-induced SRP and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Pretreated U0126 abolished the SRP elicited by glutamatergic agonists including glutamate, NMDA and AMPA. Intrathecal H89 and BIS7 (PKA and PKC inhibitors, respectively) both abolished the RS- and glutamate agonist-induced SRP as well as ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, forskolin and PMA (PKA and PKC activator, respectively) induced SRP, which were both abolished by pretreated U0126. Saline distension, mimicking the storage phase of the urinary bladder, induced SRP and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, activated ERK 1/2 may produce SRP in the pelvic nerve-to-external urethra sphincter reflex activity, which is essential for urine continence. In addition, blockage of spinal ERK 1/2 activation decreases the physiological function of the urethra, indicating that phosphorylation of the ERK 1/2 cascade may represent a novel target for the treatment of patients with neurological incontinence of spinal origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Ya-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Shin-Da
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yen-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Gin-Den
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chen-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Tien-Huan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Kwong-Chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Tzer-Bin
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014521:Urethra / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3