• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are both important signaling molecules involved in pain transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a well-known enzyme for the generation of superoxide anions ($O_2^{\bullet-}$), while S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) is a representative nitric oxide (NO) donor. In this study, we used patch clamp recording in spinal slices of rats to investigate the effects of $O_2^{\bullet-}$ and NO on the excitability of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. We also used confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure XO- and SNAP-induced ROS and RNS production in live slices. We observed that the ROS level increased during the perfusion of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound and SNAP after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF-DA$), which is an indicator of intracellular ROS and RNS. Application of ROS donors such as X/XO, ${\beta}-nicotinamide$ adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and 3-morpholinosydnomimine (SIN-1) induced a membrane depolarization and inward currents. SNAP, an RNS donor, also induced membrane depolarization and inward currents. X/XO-induced inward currents were significantly decreased by pretreatment with phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN; nonspecific ROS and RNS scavenger) and manganese(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP; superoxide dismutase mimetics). Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME; NO scavenger) also slightly decreased X/XO-induced inward currents, suggesting that X/XO-induced responses can be involved in the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$). Our data suggest that elevated ROS, especially $O_2^{\bullet-}$, NO and $ONOO^-$, in the spinal cord can increase the excitability of the SG neurons related to pain transmission.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2011

Substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons receive synaptic inputs from primary afferent $A{\delta}$- and C-fibers, where nociceptive information is integrated and modulated by numerous neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. A number of studies were dedicated to the molecular mechanism underlying the modulation of excitability or synaptic plasticity in SG neurons and revealed that second messengers, such as cAMP and cGMP, play an important role. Recently, cAMP and cGMP were shown to downregulate each other in heart muscle cells. However, involvement of the crosstalk between cAMP and cGMP in neurons is yet to be addressed. Therefore, we investigated whether interaction between cAMP and cGMP modulates synaptic plasticity in SG neurons using slice patchclamp recording from rats. Synaptic activity was measured by excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) elicited by stimulation onto dorsal root entry zone. Application of 1 mM of 8-bromoadenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) or 8-bromoguanosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) for 15 minutes increased EPSCs, which were maintained for 30 minutes. However, simultaneous application of 8-BrcAMP and 8-Br-cGMP failed to increase EPSCs, which suggested antagonistic cross-talk between two second messengers. Application of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) that prevents degradation of cAMP and cGMP by blocking phosphodiesterase (PDE) increased EPSCs. Co-application of cAMP/cGMP along with IBMX induced additional increase in EPSCs. These results suggest that second messengers, cAMP and cGMP, might contribute to development of chronic pain through the mutual regulation of the signal transduction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.219-225
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a valuable and important traditional medicine in East Asian countries and is currently used extensively for botanical products in the world. KRG has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the central nervous system (CNS) suggesting its complicated action mechanisms. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) are involved in orofacial nociceptive processing. Some studies reported that KRG has antinociceptive effects, but there are few reports of the functional studies of KRG on the SG neurons of the Vc. In this study, a whole cell patch clamp study was performed to examine the action mechanism of a KRG extract on the SG neurons of the Vc from juvenile mice. KRG induced short-lived and repeatable inward currents on all the SG neurons tested in the high chloride pipette solution. The KRG-induced inward currents were concentration dependent and were maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin, a voltage gated $Na^+$ channel blocker. The KRG-induced inward currents were suppressed by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist and/or picrotoxin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid $(GABA)_A$ receptor antagonist. However, the inward currents were not suppressed by d,l-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist. These results show that KRG has excitatory effects on the SG neurons of the Vc via the activation of non-NMDA glutamate receptor as well as an inhibitory effect by activation of the $GABA_A$ receptor, indicating the KRG has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the CNS. In addition, KRG may be a potential target for modulating orofacial pain processing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.285-289
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• 2011

Shilajit, a medicine herb commonly used in Ayurveda, has been reported to contain at least 85 minerals in ionic form that act on a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) are involved in orofacial nociceptive processing. Shilajit has been reported to be an injury and muscular pain reliever but there have been few functional studies of the effect of Shilajit on the SG neurons of the Vc. Therefore, whole cell and gramicidin-perfotrated patch clamp studies were performed to examine the action mechanism of Shilajit on the SG neurons of Vc from mouse brainstem slices. In the whole cell patch clamp mode, Shilajit induced short-lived and repeatable inward currents under the condition of a high chloride pipette solution on all the SG neurons tested. The Shilajit-induced inward currents were concentration dependent and maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), a voltage gated $Na^+$ channel blocker, CNQX, a non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, and AP5, an NMDA receptor antagonist. The Shilajit-induced responses were partially suppressed by picrotoxin, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, and totally blocked in the presence of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, however not affected by mecamylamine hydrochloride (MCH), a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Under the potassium gluconate pipette solution at holding potential 0 mV, Shilajit induced repeatable outward current. These results show that Shilajit has inhibitory effects on the SG neurons of Vc through chloride ion channels by activation of the glycine receptor and $GABA_A$ receptor, indicating that Shilajit contains sedating ingredients for the central nervous system. These results also suggest that Shilajit may be a potential target for modulating orofacial pain processing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.433-440
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• 2020

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is the first relay site for the orofacial nociceptive inputs via the thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C primary afferent fibers. Borneol, one of the valuable time-honored herbal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, is a popular treatment for anxiety, anesthesia, and antinociception. However, to date, little is known as to how borneol acts on the SG neurons of the Vc. To close this gap, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanism responding for the actions of borneol on the SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In the voltage-clamp mode, holding at -60 mV, the borneol-induced non-desensitizing inward currents were not affected by tetrodotoxin, a voltage-gated Na⁺ channel blocker, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist. However, borneol-induced inward currents were partially decreased in the presence of picrotoxin, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A receptor antagonist, or strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, and was almost suppressed in the presence of picrotoxin and strychnine. Though borneol did not show any effect on the glycine-induced inward currents, borneol enhanced GABA-mediated responses. Beside, borneol enhanced the GABA-induced hyperpolarization under the current-clamp mode. Altogether, we suggest that borneol contributes in part toward mediating the inhibitory GABA and glycine transmission on the SG neurons of the Vc and may serve as an herbal therapeutic for orofacial pain ailments.

• International Neurourology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2018

Purpose: Naftopidil ((${\pm}$)-1-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazinyl]-3-(1-naphthyloxy) propan-2-ol) is prescribed in several Asian countries for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Previous animal experiments showed that intrathecal injection of naftopidil abolished rhythmic bladder contraction in vivo. Naftopidil facilitated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in spinal cord slices. These results suggest that naftopidil may suppress the micturition reflex at the spinal cord level. However, the effect of naftopidil on evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SG neurons remains to be elucidated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 to 8 weeks old were used. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made using SG neurons in spinal cord slices isolated from adult rats. Evoked EPSCs were analyzed in $A{\delta}$ or C fibers. Naftopidil or prazosin, an ${\alpha}1$-adrenoceptor blocker, was perfused at $100{\mu}M$ or $10{\mu}M$, respectively. Results: Bath-applied $100{\mu}M$ naftopidil significantly decreased the peak amplitudes of $A{\delta}$ and C fiber-evoked EPSCs to $72.0%{\pm}7.1%$ (n=15) and $70.0%{\pm}5.5%$ (n=20), respectively, in a reversible and reproducible manner. Bath application of $100{\mu}M$ prazosin did not inhibit $A{\delta}$ or C fiber-evoked EPSCs. Conclusions: The present study suggests that a high concentration of naftopidil reduces the amplitude of evoked EPSCs via a mechanism that apparently does not involve ${\alpha}1$-adrenoceptors. Inhibition of evoked EPSCs may also contribute to suppression of the micturition reflex, together with nociceptive stimulation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2018

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are involved in cellular signaling processes as a cause of oxidative stress. According to recent studies, ROS and RNS are important signaling molecules involved in pain transmission through spinal mechanisms. In this study, a patch clamp recording was used in spinal slices of rats to investigate the action mechanisms of $O_2{^{{\bullet}_-}}$ and NO on the excitability of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neuron. The application of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound, a ROS donor, induced inward currents and increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) in slice preparation. The application of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), a RNS donor, also induced inward currents and increased the frequency of sEPSC. In a single cell preparation, X/XO and SNAP had no effect on the inward currents, revealing the involvement of presynaptic action. X/XO and SNAP induced a membrane depolarization in current clamp conditions which was significantly decreased by the addition of thapsigargin to an external calcium free solution for blocking synaptic transmission. Furthermore, X/XO and SNAP increased the frequency of action potentials evoked by depolarizing current pulses, suggesting the involvement of postsynaptic action. According to these results, it was estblished that elevated ROS and RNS in the spinal cord can sensitize the dorsal horn neurons via pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. Therefore, ROS and RNS play similar roles in the regulation of the membrane excitability of SG neurons.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2024

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) within the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is recognized as a pivotal site of integrating and modulating afferent fibers carrying orofacial nociceptive information. Although naringenin (4',5,7-thrihydroxyflavanone), a natural bioflavonoid, has been proven to possess various biological effects in the central nervous system (CNS), the activity of naringenin at the orofacial nociceptive site has not been reported yet. In this study, we explored the influence of naringenin on GABA response in SG neurons of Vc using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The application of GABA in a bath induced two forms of GABA responses: slow and fast. Naringenin enhanced both amplitude and area under curve (AUC) of GABA-mediated responses in 57% (12/21) of tested neurons while decreasing both parameters in 33% (7/21) of neurons. The enhancing or suppressing effect of naringenin on GABA response have been observed, with enhancement occurring when the GABA response was slow, and suppression when it was fast. Furthermore, both the enhancement of slower GABA responses and the suppression of faster GABA responses by naringenin were concentration dependent. Interestingly, the nature of GABA response was also found to be sex-dependent. A majority of SG neurons from juvenile female mice exhibited slower GABA responses, whereas those from juvenile males predominantly displayed faster GABA responses. Taken together, this study indicates that naringenin plays a partial role in modulating orofacial nociception and may hold promise as a therapeutic target for treating orofacial pain, with effects that vary according to sex.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.539-546
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• 2018

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) has been used therapeutically for various conditions including dystonia, cerebral palsy, wrinkle, hyperhidrosis and pain control. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) receive orofacial nociceptive information from primary afferents and transmit the information to higher brain center. Although many studies have shown the analgesic effects of BoNT/A, the effects of BoNT/A at the central nervous system and the action mechanism are not well understood. Therefore, the effects of BoNT/A on the spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) in the SG neurons were investigated. In whole cell voltage clamp mode, the frequency of sPSCs was increased in 18 (37.5%) neurons, decreased in 5 (10.4%) neurons and not affected in 25 (52.1%) of 48 neurons tested by BoNT/A (3 nM). Similar proportions of frequency variation of sPSCs were observed in 1 and 10 nM BoNT/A and no significant differences were observed in the relative mean frequencies of sPSCs among 1-10 nM BoNT/A. BoNT/A-induced frequency increase of sPSCs was not affected by pretreated tetrodotoxin ($0.5{\mu}M$). In addition, the frequency of sIPSCs in the presence of CNQX ($10{\mu}M$) and AP5 ($20{\mu}M$) was increased in 10 (53%) neurons, decreased in 1 (5%) neuron and not affected in 8 (42%) of 19 neurons tested by BoNT/A (3 nM). These results demonstrate that BoNT/A increases the frequency of sIPSCs on SG neurons of the Vc at least partly and can provide an evidence for rapid action of BoNT/A at the central nervous system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.271-279
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• 2019

The lamina II, also called the substantia gelatinosa (SG), of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), is thought to play an essential role in the control of orofacial nociception. Glycine and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) are the important neurotransmitters that have the individual parts on the modulation of nociceptive transmission. However, the electrophysiological effects of 5-HT on the glycine receptors on SG neurons of the Vc have not been well studied yet. For this reason, we applied the whole-cell patch clamp technique to explore the interaction of intracellular signal transduction between 5-HT and the glycine receptors on SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In nine of 13 neurons tested (69.2%), pretreatment with 5-HT potentiated glycine-induced current ($I_{Gly}$). Firstly, we examined with a $5-HT_1$ receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT, $5-HT_{1/7}$ agonist, co-applied with SB-269970, $5-HT_7$ antagonist) and antagonist (WAY-100635), but $5-HT_1$ receptor agonist did not increase $I_{Gly}$ and in the presence of $5-HT_1$ antagonist, the potentiation of 5-HT on $I_{Gly}$ still happened. However, an agonist (${\alpha}$-methyl-5-HT) and antagonist (ketanserin) of the $5-HT_2$ receptor mimicked and inhibited the enhancing effect of 5-HT on $I_{Gly}$ in the SG neurons, respectively. We also verified the role of the $5-HT_7$ receptor by using a $5-HT_7$ antagonist (SB-269970) but it also did not block the enhancement of 5-HT on $I_{Gly}$. Our study demonstrated that 5-HT facilitated $I_{Gly}$ in the SG neurons of the Vc through the $5-HT_2$ receptor. The interaction between 5-HT and glycine appears to have a significant role in modulating the transmission of the nociceptive pathway.