THE RESPONSE AND RELATIONSHIP OF RAT SPINAL TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS ASTROCYTES AND NEURONS TO PAIN INDUCED BY SUBCUTANEOUS FORMALIN INJECTION / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the responses of neurons and astrocytes within rat′s spinal trigeminal nucleus(Sp5C) following nocuous pain stimulation induced by subcutaneous formalin injection into the unilateral upper lip. Methods By means of anti\|phospholipase(PLC),anti\|Fos protein and anti\|glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) immunohistochemical method,the distribution of reactive neurons and astrocytes in the Sp5C was observed at different time after formalin injection. Results No immunohistochemical staining was found in normal rat Sp5C.After formalin injection,PLC like immunoreaction(\|LI),Fos\|LI and GFAP\|LI were found in astrocytes while PLC\|LI and Fos\|LI in neurons.The labeled astrocytes and neurons showed similar distribution and close relationship.PLC\|LI and Fos\|LI were found earlier than that in neurons.Conclusion\ The results suggested that the astrocytes in the Sp5C might participate in pain modulation in CNS and actively regulate neuron′s function.