Glutamate-mediated spinal reflex potentiation involves ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in anesthetized rats.
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.
Peng
Hsien-Yu
HY
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Cheng
Ya-Wen
YW
Lee
Shin-Da
SD
Ho
Yen-Chun
YC
Chou
Dylan
D
Chen
Gin-Den
GD
Cheng
Chen-Li
CL
Hsu
Tien-Huan
TH
Tung
Kwong-Chung
KC
Lin
Tzer-Bin
TB
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
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