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Changes in midbrain pain receptor expression, gait and behavioral sensitivity in a rat model of radiculopathy.
Abstract
Intervertebral disc herniation may contribute to inflammatory processes that associate
with radicular pain and motor deficits. Molecular changes at the affected dorsal root
ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and even midbrain, have been documented in rat models
of radiculopathy or nerve injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate gait
and the expression of key pain receptors in the midbrain in a rodent model of radiculopathy.
Radiculopathy was induced by harvesting tail nucleus pulposus (NP) and placing upon
the right L5 DRG in rats (NP-treated, n=12). Tail NP was discarded in sham-operated
animals (n=12). Mechanical allodynia, weight-bearing, and gait were evaluated in all
animals over time. At 1 and 4 weeks after surgery, astrocyte and microglial activation
was tested in DRG sections. Midbrain sections were similarly evaluated for immunoreactivity
to serotonin (5HT(2B)), mu-opioid (µ-OR), and metabotropic glutamate (mGluR4 and 5)
receptor antibodies. NP-treated animals placed less weight on the affected limb 1
week after surgery and experienced mechanical hypersensitivity over the duration of
the study. Astroctye activation was observed at DRGs only at 4 weeks after surgery.
Findings for pain receptors in the midbrain of NP-treated rats included an increased
expression of 5HT(2B) at 1, but not 4 weeks; increased expression of µ-OR and mGluR5
at 1 and 4 weeks (periaqueductal gray region only); and no changes in expression of
mGluR4 at any point in this study. These observations provide support for the hypothesis
that the midbrain responds to DRG injury with a transient change in receptors regulating
pain responses.
Type
Journal articleSubject
Dorsal root gangliongait
intervertebral disc
lumbar radiculopathy
metabotropic glutamate receptor
midbrain
mu-opioid receptor
serotonin receptor.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/7984Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.2174/1874325001206010383Publication Info
Hwang, Priscilla Y; Allen, Kyle D; Shamji, Mohammed F; Jing, Liufang; Mata, Brian
A; Gabr, Mostafa A; ... Setton, Lori A (2012). Changes in midbrain pain receptor expression, gait and behavioral sensitivity in a
rat model of radiculopathy. Open Orthop J, 6. pp. 383-391. 10.2174/1874325001206010383. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/7984.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Mostafa Gabr
Research Associate, Senior
Dr. Gabr's research has specifically focused on the following broad areas: (i) animal
model of myelopathy, (ii) participating in clinical trials in spine field.In the last
few years, this research agenda has expanded to include collaborative projects and
publications. Dr. Gabr and his colleagues explore benefit of cervical collar following
spine fusion, spinal cord injury model, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.Dr.
Gabr is the author of "Interleukin-17 synergizes with IFNI&
Virginia Byers Kraus
Mary Bernheim Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Virginia Byers Kraus, MD, PhD, is the Mary Bernheim Distinguished Professor of Medicine,
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Pathology and a faculty member of the
Duke Molecular Physiology Institute in the Duke University School of Medicine. She
is a practicing Rheumatologist with over 30 years’ experience in translational musculoskeletal
research focusing on osteoarthritis, the most common of all arthritides. She trained
at Brown University (ScB 1979), Duke University (MD 19
Lori A. Setton
Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research in Setton's laboratory is focused on the role of mechanical factors in the
degeneration and repair of soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system, including the
intervertebral disc, articular cartilage and meniscus. Work in the Laboratory is focused
on engineering and evaluating materials for tissue regeneration and drug delivery.
Studies combining engineering and biology are also used to determine the role of mechanical
factors to promote and control healing of cartilaginous tissues. Re
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