title: Central sensitization in medullary dorsal horn involves gap junctions and hemichannels.
abstract: Central sensitization is a fundamental mechanism contributing to acute and chronic pain conditions. Our previous studies have documented a glutamatergic, purinergic and glial-dependent central sensitization that can be induced in rat medullary dorsal horn nociceptive neurons by mustard oil application to the tooth pulp. This study showed that carbenoxolone, a potent gap junction and hemichannel blocker, completely blocked all parameters of mustard oil-induced central sensitization tested in functionally identified medullary dorsal horn nociceptive neurons. These results represent the first evidence suggesting that gap junctions and hemichannels may have a critical role in mediating central sensitization in dorsal horn nociceptive neurons and may account for the spread as well as development of central sensitization.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1G6, Canada.
authors.forename: Chen Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jonathan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Dostrovsky
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sessle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002229:Carbenoxolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009149:Mustard Plant; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; D002229:Carbenoxolone; C027793:mustard oil