中国神经再生研究(英文版)

中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (7): 517-522.

• 原著:脊髓损伤修复保护与再生 • 上一篇    下一篇

Expression of acetylated histone 3 in the spinal cord and the effect of morphine on inflammatory pain in rats

  

  • 收稿日期:2011-10-08 修回日期:2012-01-20 出版日期:2012-03-05 发布日期:2012-03-05

Expression of acetylated histone 3 in the spinal cord and the effect of morphine on inflammatory pain in rats

Hua Li1, 2, Changqi Li1, Ruping Dai3, Xudan Shi3, Junmei Xu3, Jianyi Zhang1, Xinfu Zhou4, Zhiyuan Li1, Xuegang Luo1   

  1. 1  Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
    2  Department of Histology and Embryology, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China 3  Department of Anesthesia, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
    4  Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
  • Received:2011-10-08 Revised:2012-01-20 Online:2012-03-05 Published:2012-03-05
  • Contact: Xuegang Luo, Master, Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China; Zhiyuan Li, M.D., Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China xgluo@xysm.net;lizhiyuan2000@yahoo.com
  • About author:Hua Li☆, M.D., Associate professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China

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Abstract:

In this study, a rat model of inflammatory pain was produced by injecting complete Freund’s adjuvant into the hind paw, and the expression of acetylated histone 3 in the spinal cord dorsal horn was examined using immunohistochemical staining. One day following injection, there was a dramatic decrease in acetylated histone 3 expression in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons. However, on day 7, expression recovered in adjuvant-injected rats. While acetylated histone 3 labeling was present in dorsal horn neurons, it was more abundant in astrocytes and microglial cells. The recovery of acetylated histone 3 expression was associated with a shift in expression of the protein from neurons to glial cells. Morphine injection significantly upregulated the expression of acetylated histone 3 in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons and glial cells 1 day after injection, especially in astrocytes, preventing the transient downregulation. Our results indicate that inflammatory pain induces a transient downregulation of acetylated histone 3 in the spinal cord dorsal horn at an early stage following adjuvant injection, and that this effect can be reversed by morphine. Thus, the downregulation of acetylated histone 3 may be involved in the development of inflammatory pain.

Key words: inflammation, hyperalgesia, acetylated histone 3, spinal cord, morphine, neurobiology