Organic matter and heavy metal in river sediments of southwestern coastal Korea: Spatial distributions, pollution, and ecological risk assessment.

This study identifies the impact of river sediments on coastal ecosystems in the southwestern coastal region of Korea. Surface sediments were analyzed for their spatial distributions of organic matter, nutrients, and heavy metal concentrations. Furthermore, pollutants were identified according to the pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI). Concentrations did not show serious pollution levels compared to generalized guidelines; however, some sites exceeded the PLI pollution standard, and were also identified as potential ecological risks. Through cluster analyses the sediment sites were classified into three groups: rivers with relatively high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients, rivers affected largely by artificial heavy metal pollution, and rivers with low levels of pollution by organic matter, nutrients, and heavy metals. It is evident that continuous monitoring and management are required to prevent major pollution from industrial complexes, agriculture, and commercial activities in the regions near these rivers.

Inflammation induces developmentally regulated sumatriptan inhibition of spinal synaptic transmission.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While triptans are used to treat migraine, there is evidence that they also reduce inflammation-induced pain at the spinal level. The cellular mechanisms underlying this spinal enhancement are unknown. We examined whether inflammation alters sumatriptan modulation of synaptic transmission in the rat spinal dorsal horn. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Three to four days following intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or saline, whole cell recordings of evoked glutamatergic EPSCs were made from lumbar lamina I-II dorsal horn neurons in rat spinal slices KEY RESULTS: In 2- to 3-week-old animals, sumatriptan reduced the amplitude of evoked EPSCs and this was greater in slices from CFA, compared to saline-injected rats. In CFA-injected animals, sumatriptan increased the paired pulse ratio of evoked EPSCs and reduced the rate of spontaneous miniature EPSCs. The 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonists CP9 3129 and PNU109291 both inhibited evoked EPSCs in CFA but not saline-injected rats. By contrast, the 5-HT1A agonist R(+)-8-OH-DPAT inhibited evoked EPSCs in saline but not CFA-injected rats. In CFA-injected rats, the sumatriptan-induced inhibition of evoked EPSCs was reduced by the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D antagonists NAS181 and BRL-15572. Intriguingly, the difference in sumatriptan inhibition between CFA and saline-injected animals was only observed in animals less than 4 weeks old. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings indicate that inflammation induces a developmentally regulated 5-HT1B/1D presynaptic inhibition of excitatory transmission into the rat superficial dorsal horn. Thus, triptans could potentially act as spinal analgesic agents for inflammatory pain in the juvenile setting.

Serum myostatin levels are associated with abdominal aortic calcification in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Serum myostatin levels are increased according to renal function decline and myostatin may be a main mediator of chronic kidney disease-related sarcopenia. A previous study reported that serum myostatin level was negatively associated with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in older males. The aim of this study was to assess the association between serum myostatin level and AAC among dialysis patients of both sexes. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between serum myostatin level, muscle mass, and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated AAC in the lateral lumbar spine using plain radiography and BMD in 71 patients undergoing dialysis. We classified patients into two groups according to the median value of myostatin as follows: those with high myostatin levels (≥ 5.0 ng/mL) and those with low myostatin levels (< 5.0 ng/mL). RESULTS: The proportion of patients with an AAC score of five points or more was higher among those with low myostatin levels. Myostatin level was negatively associated with AAC scores on plain radiography and had a positive association with skeletal muscle mass and T-scores for BMD measured at the total hip and femur neck. Lower myostatin levels were independently associated with higher AAC scores following adjustment for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, dialysis vintage, dialysis modality, and osteoprotegerin level. CONCLUSION: Lower serum myostatin levels were associated with higher AAC scores, lower muscle mass, and lower BMD in dialysis patients. Further, prospective studies and those with larger cohorts are necessary to validate these findings.

Cosmeceutical activities of ethanol extract and its ethyl acetate fraction from coffee silverskin.

BACKGROUND: Coffee silverskin is a thin film that covers the raw coffee bean. In general, coffee silverskin, which detaches during the coffee roasting process, is disposed as firelighters or dispatched to landfills and can cause serious environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using coffee silverskin as a functional material in cosmetics by evaluating its bioactive ingredients, antioxidative activity, cytoprotective effect, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1)-inhibiting effect, and anti-melanogenesis effect. RESULTS: To this end, a 50% ethanol (EtOH) extract and its ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction were prepared from coffee silverskin; caffeine was found to be the major compound in the extract. Both the 50% EtOH extract and its EtOAc fraction exhibited antioxidant activities. However, the EtOAc fraction showed a greater radical-scavenging activity and reducing power than that shown by the 50% EtOH extract. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction increased cell viability in a UVB-irradiated human keratinocyte injury model and significantly suppressed UVB-induced MMP-1 expression and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated melanin production in HaCaT keratinocytes and B16F1 melanocytes, respectively. Interestingly, caffeine, the major component of the EtOAc fraction, did not show an inhibitory effect. Thus, the antioxidant capacity of the coffee silverskin extract may be attributable to some compounds that exhibit a high antioxidant capacity even at low concentrations or the total antioxidant capacity of various constituent phenolic compounds. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that coffee silverskin has the potential for application as a natural functional material in multifunctional cosmetics.

Suppression of Ultraviolet B-mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase Generation by Sorbus commixta Twig Extract in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Sorbus commixta is a traditional oriental medicinal plant that grows in East Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and China. The twig of S. commixta has been considered valuable for centuries to treat diseases including asthma, cough and other bronchial disorders. However, the effect of S. commixta twig extract on human skin has not been investigated well. The present study aimed at assessing the antiphotoaging effect of S. commixta twig ethanol extract (STE) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels and its underlying mechanism in human dermal fibroblasts. In this study, we found that STE (12.5-50 µg mL-1 ) treatment significantly inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-3 expression, concomitant with a downregulation of intracellular ROS generation. These effects might be associated with a STE-induced inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Furthermore, STE also downregulated UVB-induced c-Fos expression in a concentration-dependent manner, but had no inhibitory effect on c-Jun phosphorylation. Taken together, these results indicate that STE may be an antiphotoaging agent and that its effect may occur via its inhibition of MMPs expression and MAPK pathway activation.

Chronic morphine reduces the readily releasable pool of GABA, a presynaptic mechanism of opioid tolerance.

KEY POINTS: Chronic treatment with opioids, such as morphine, leads to analgesic tolerance. While postsynaptic opioid tolerance is well documented, the involvement of presynaptic mechanisms remains unclear. We show that chronic morphine reduces the ability of periaqueductal grey (PAG) neurons to maintain GABAergic transmission. This depression of GABAergic transmission was due to a reduction in the effective size of the readily releasable pool. This also led to a reduction in opioid presynaptic inhibition; these presynaptic adaptations need to be considered in the development of strategies to reduce opioid tolerance. ABSTRACT: The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) plays a critical role in tolerance to the analgesic actions of opioids such as morphine. While numerous studies have identified the postsynaptic adaptations induced by chronic morphine treatment in this and other brain regions, the presence of presynaptic adaptations remains uncertain. We examined GABAergic synaptic transmission within rat PAG brain slices from animals which underwent a low dose morphine treatment protocol which produces tolerance, but not withdrawal. Evoked GABAergic IPSCs (inhibitory postsynaptic currents) were less in morphine compared to control saline treated animals. Postsynaptic GABAA receptor mediated currents and desensitization, presynaptic release probability (Pr ), and inhibition by endogenous neurotransmitters were similar in morphine and saline treated animals. By contrast, the effective size of the readily releasable pool (RRP) was smaller in morphine treated animals. While the µ-opioid agonist DAMGO produced a reduction in Pr and RRP size in saline treated animals, it only reduced Pr in morphine treated animals. Consequently, DAMGO-induced inhibition of evoked IPSCs during short burst stimulation was less in morphine, compared to saline treated animals. These results indicate that low dose chronic morphine treatment reduces presynaptic µ-opioid inhibition by reducing the size of the pool of vesicles available for action potential dependent release. This novel presynaptic adaptation may provide important insights into the development of efficacious pain therapies that can circumvent the development of opioid tolerance.

Endocannabinoids control vesicle release mode at midbrain periaqueductal grey inhibitory synapses.

KEY POINTS: The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) forms part of an endogenous analgesic system which is tightly regulated by the neurotransmitter GABA. The role of endocannabinoids in regulating GABAergic control of this system was examined in rat PAG slices. Under basal conditions GABAergic neurotransmission onto PAG output neurons was multivesicular. Activation of the endocannabinoid system reduced GABAergic inhibition by reducing the probability of release and by shifting release to a univesicular mode. Blockade of endocannabinoid system unmasked a tonic control over the probability and mode of GABA release. These findings provides a mechanistic foundation for the control of the PAG analgesic system by disinhibition. ABSTRACT: The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) has a crucial role in coordinating endogenous analgesic responses to physiological and psychological stressors. Endocannabinoids are thought to mediate a form of stress-induced analgesia within the PAG by relieving GABAergic inhibition of output neurons, a process known as disinhibition. This disinhibition is thought to be achieved by a presynaptic reduction in GABA release probability. We examined whether other mechanisms have a role in endocannabinoid modulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission within the rat PAG. The group I mGluR agonist DHPG ((R,S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine) inhibited evoked IPSCs and increased their paired pulse ratio in normal external Ca2+ , and when release probability was reduced by lowering Ca2+ . However, the effect of DHPG on the coefficient of variation and kinetics of evoked IPSCs differed between normal and low Ca2+ . Lowering external Ca2+ had a similar effect on evoked IPSCs to that observed for DHPG in normal external Ca2+ . The low affinity GABAA receptor antagonist TPMPA ((1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methylphosphinic acid) inhibited evoked IPSCs to a greater extent in low than in normal Ca2+ . Together these findings indicate that the normal mode of GABA release is multivesicular within the PAG, and that DHPG and lowering external Ca2+ switch this to a univesicular mode. The effects of DHPG were mediated by mGlu5 receptor engagement of the retrograde endocannabinoid system. Blockade of endocannabinoid breakdown produced a similar shift in the mode of release. We conclude that endocannabinoids control both the mode and the probability of GABA release within the PAG.

Lactate Clearance and Vasopressor Seem to Be Predictors for Mortality in Severe Sepsis Patients with Lactic Acidosis Supplementing Sodium Bicarbonate: A Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Initial lactate level, lactate clearance, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin in critically ill patients with sepsis are associated with hospital mortality. However, no study has yet discovered which factor is most important for mortality in severe sepsis patients with lactic acidosis. We sought to clarify this issue in patients with lactic acidosis who were supplementing with sodium bicarbonate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from a single center between May 2011 and April 2014. One hundred nine patients with severe sepsis and lactic acidosis who were supplementing with sodium bicarbonate were included. RESULTS: The 7-day mortality rate was 71.6%. The survivors had higher albumin levels and lower SOFA, APACHE II scores, vasopressor use, and follow-up lactate levels at an elapsed time after their initial lactate levels were checked. In particular, a decrement in lactate clearance of at least 10% for the first 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours of treatment was more dominant among survivors than non-survivors. Although the patients who were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics showed higher illness severity than those who received conventional antibiotics, there was no significant mortality difference. 6-hour, 24-hour, and 48-hour lactate clearance (HR: 4.000, 95% CI: 1.309-12.219, P = 0.015) and vasopressor use (HR: 4.156, 95% CI: 1.461-11.824, P = 0.008) were significantly associated with mortality after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Lactate clearance at a discrete time point seems to be a more reliable prognostic index than initial lactate value in severe sepsis patients with lactic acidosis who were supplementing with sodium bicarbonate. Careful consideration of vasopressor use and the initial application of broad-spectrum antibiotics within the first 48 hours may be helpful for improving survival, and further study is warranted.

Obesity-induced miR-15b is linked causally to the development of insulin resistance through the repression of the insulin receptor in hepatocytes.

SCOPE: Obesity increases intracellular lipid accumulation in key tissues or organs, which often leads to metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. Diets rich in saturated fatty acid (SFA) exacerbate obesity and hepatic steatosis, which accentuate the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Although microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression, the implication of obesity-induced miRNAs in metabolic disorders particularly in the development of insulin resistance is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the implication of miR-15b, which is induced by SFA palmitate or obesity, in hepatic insulin resistance. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diet-induced obesity (DIO) in mice developed hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, accompanying with a reduction of insulin receptor (INSR) expression. Palmitate impaired insulin signaling as well as a decrease of INSR in hepatocytes. The expression of miR-15b was upregulated by DIO or palmitate in hepatocytes. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-15b suppressed the protein expression of INSR through targeting INSR 3' untranslated region directly, resulting in an impairment of the insulin signaling and glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: These results unveil a novel mechanism whereby miR-15b is linked causally to the pathogenesis of hepatic insulin resistance in SFA-induced obesity.

Saturated fatty acid-induced miR-195 impairs insulin signaling and glycogen metabolism in HepG2 cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in insulin signaling and insulin secretion, but the role of miRNAs in the association between obesity and hepatic insulin resistance is largely unknown. This study reports that saturated fatty acid (SFA) and high fat diet (HFD) significantly induce miR-195 expression in hepatocytes, and that the insulin receptor (INSR), not insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), is a direct target of miR-195. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of miR-195 suppresses the expression of INSR, thereby impairing the insulin signaling cascade and glycogen synthesis in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that the dysregulation of miR-195 by SFA is a detrimental factor for hepatic insulin sensitivity.

Induction of miR-29a by saturated fatty acids impairs insulin signaling and glucose uptake through translational repression of IRS-1 in myocytes.

MicroRNAs have been shown to play an important role in insulin signaling but their biological function in insulin resistance induced by saturated fatty acids (SFA) remains largely unknown. Here, we report that SFA palmitate and high fat diet (HFD) significantly increase expression of miR-29a in myocytes. miR-29a targets IRS-1 3'UTR directly and represses IRS-1 expression at the translational level. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of miR-29a impairs insulin signaling and glucose uptake in myocytes through a substantial decrease in IRS-1. These findings suggest that the up-regulation of miR-29a by SFA is causally related to the development of insulin resistance in myocytes.

The induction of miR-96 by mitochondrial dysfunction causes impaired glycogen synthesis through translational repression of IRS-1 in SK-Hep1 cells.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of endogenous small noncoding RNA that negatively regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, the identity and role of miRNAs involved in the development of insulin resistance resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction are largely unknown. In this study, mitochondrial dysfunction by genetic or metabolic inhibition induced an impairment of insulin signaling in SK-Hep1 cells via a reduction in the expression of IRS-1 protein. Significant up-regulation of miR-96, which was presumed to target IRS-1 3'UTR, was found in SK-Hep1 cells with mitochondrial dysfunction. Using reporter gene assay we confirmed that miR-96 authentically targeted IRS-1 3'UTR. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of miR-96 caused a substantial decrease in IRS-1 protein expression, and a consequent impairment in insulin signaling. These findings suggest that the up-regulation of miR-96 by mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the development of insulin resistance by targeting IRS-1 in SK-Hep1 cells.

Serotonergic modulation of neuronal activity in rat midbrain periaqueductal gray.

Serotonin (5-HT) modulates pain and anxiety from within the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). In the present study, the effects of 5-HT- and 5-HT(1/2) subtype-selective ligands on rat PAG neurons were examined using whole cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices. In voltage clamp, 5-HT produced outward and inward currents in distinct subpopulations of neurons that varied throughout different subregions of the PAG. The 5-HT(1A) agonist R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (1 µM) produced outward currents in subpopulations of PAG neurons. By contrast, sumatriptan (1 µM) and other 5-HT(1B, -D), and (-F) subtype agonists had little or no postsynaptic activity. The 5-HT(2A/C) agonists DOI (3 µM) and TCB-2 (1 µM) produced inward currents in subpopulations of PAG neurons, and DOI enhanced evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents via a presynaptic mechanism. In current clamp, both R(+)-8-OH-DPAT and sumatriptan produced an excitatory increase in evoked mixed postsynaptic potentials (PSPs). In addition, R(+)-8-OH-DPAT, but not sumatriptan, directly hyperpolarized PAG neurons. By contrast, the 5-HT(2) agonist DOI depolarized subpopulations of neurons and produced an inhibitory decrease in evoked mixed PSPs. These findings indicate that 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B/D) ligands have partly overlapping inhibitory effects on membrane excitability and synaptic transmission within the PAG, which are functionally opposed by 5-HT(2A/C) actions in specific PAG subregions.

Implications of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease with an etiology that includes genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors that lead to several different defects of glucose homeostasis, primarily in the pancreatic ß-cells, liver, muscle, and adipose tissues. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important regulators in post-transcriptional gene expression. Although the target genes and biological functions of individual miRNAs remain largely unknown, previous studies have shown them to be important regulators of diverse biological processes, in both normal and pathological states. In the past decade, an increasing number of studies have focused on the regulatory roles of miRNAs in metabolism; thus, miRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. This review summarizes recent findings related to the roles of miRNAs in diabetes. The information presented herein might be useful for the future development of miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in diabetes.

Role of 5-HT(1) receptor subtypes in the modulation of pain and synaptic transmission in rat spinal superficial dorsal horn.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 5-HT receptor agonists have variable nociceptive effects within the spinal cord. While there is some evidence for 5-HT(1A) spinally-mediated analgesia, the role of other 5-HT(1) receptor subtypes remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the spinal actions of a range of 5-HT(1) agonists, including sumatriptan, on acute pain, plus their effect on afferent-evoked synaptic transmission onto superficial dorsal horn neurons. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: For in vivo experiments, 5-HT agonists were injected via chronically implanted spinal catheters to examine their effects in acute mechanical and thermal pain assays using a paw pressure analgesymeter and a Hargreave's device. For in vitro experiments, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of primary afferent-evoked glutamatergic EPSC were made from lamina II neurons in rat lumbar spinal slices. KEY RESULTS: Intrathecal (i.t.) delivery of the 5-HT(1A) agonist R ± 8-OH-DPAT (30-300 nmol) produced a dose-dependent thermal, but not mechanical, analgesia. Sumatriptan and the 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(1D), 5-HT(1F) agonists CP93129, PNU109291 and LY344864 (100 nmol) had no effect on either acute pain assay. R ± 8-OH-DPAT (1 µM) and sumatriptan (3 µM) both reduced the amplitude of the evoked EPSC. In contrast, CP93129, PNU109291 and LY344864 (0.3-3 µM) had no effect on the evoked EPSC. The actions of both R ± 8-OH-DPAT and sumatriptan were abolished by the 5-HT(1A) antagonist WAY100635 (3 µM). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings indicate that the 5-HT(1A) receptor subtype predominantly mediates the acute antinociceptive and cellular actions of 5-HT(1) ligands within the rat superficial dorsal horn.

Cholecystokinin exerts an effect via the endocannabinoid system to inhibit GABAergic transmission in midbrain periaqueductal gray.

Cholecystokinin modulates pain and anxiety via its functions within brain regions such as the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). The aim of this study was to examine the cellular actions of cholecystokinin on PAG neurons. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made from rat midbrain PAG slices in vitro to examine the postsynaptic effects of cholecystokinin and its effects on synaptic transmission. Sulfated cholecystokinin-(26-33) (CCK-S, 100-300 nM), but not non-sulfated cholecystokinin-(26-33) (CCK-NS, 100-300 nM) produced an inward current in a sub-population of opioid sensitive and insensitive PAG neurons, which did not reverse over a range of membrane potentials. The CCK-S-induced current was abolished by the CCK1 selective antagonist devazepide (100 nM), but not by the CCK2 selective antagonists CI988 (100 nM, 1 µM) and LY225910 (1 µM). CCK-S, but not CCK-NS produced a reduction in the amplitude of evoked GABA(A)-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and an increase in the evoked IPSC paired-pulse ratio. By contrast, CCK-S had little effect on the rate and amplitude of TTX-resistant miniature IPSCs under basal conditions and when external K(+) was elevated. The CCK-S-induced inhibition of evoked IPSCs was abolished by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (3 µM), the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP (10 µM) and the 1, 2-diacylglycerol lipase (DAGLα) inhibitor tetrahydrolipstatin (10 µM). In addition, CCK-S produced an increase in the rate of spontaneous non-NMDA-mediated, TTX-dependent excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). These results suggest that cholecystokinin produces direct neuronal depolarisation via CCK1 receptors and inhibits GABAergic synaptic transmission via action potential-dependent release of glutamate and mGluR5-induced endocannabinoid signaling. Thus, cholecystokinin has cellular actions within the PAG that can both oppose and reinforce opioid and cannabinoid modulation of pain and anxiety within this brain structure.

Dissociation of µ- and δ-opioid inhibition of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in superficial dorsal horn.

BACKGROUND: There is anatomical and behavioural evidence that µ- and δ-opioid receptors modulate distinct nociceptive modalities within the superficial dorsal horn. The aim of the present study was to examine whether µ- and δ-opioid receptor activation differentially modulates TRP sensitive inputs to neurons within the superficial dorsal horn. To do this, whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from lamina I - II neurons in rat spinal cord slices in vitro to examine the effect of opioids on TRP agonist-enhanced glutamatergic spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). RESULTS: Under basal conditions the µ-opioid agonist DAMGO (3 µM) reduced the rate of miniature EPSCs in 68% of neurons, while the δ- and κ-opioid agonists deltorphin-II (300 nM) and U69593 (300 nM) did so in 13 - 17% of neurons tested. The TRP agonists menthol (400 µM) and icilin (100 µM) both produced a Ca2+-dependent increase in miniature EPSC rate which was unaffected by the voltage dependent calcium channel (VDCC) blocker Cd2+. The proportion of neurons in which deltorphin-II reduced the miniature EPSC rate was enhanced in the presence of icilin (83%), but not menthol (0%). By contrast, the proportion of DAMGO and U69593 responders was unaltered in the presence of menthol (57%, 0%), or icilin (57%, 17%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that δ-opioid receptor activation selectively inhibits inputs activated by icilin, whereas µ-opioid receptor activation has a more widespread effect on synaptic inputs to neurons in the superficial dorsal horn. These findings suggest that δ-opioids may provide a novel analgesic approach for specific, TRPA1-like mediated pain modalities.

N-arachidonyl-glycine modulates synaptic transmission in superficial dorsal horn.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The arachidonyl-amino acid N-arachidonyl-glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous lipid, generated within the spinal cord and producing spinally mediated analgesia via non-cannabinoid mechanisms. In this study we examined the actions of NAGly on neurons within the superficial dorsal horn, a key site for the actions of many analgesic agents. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from lamina II neurons in rat spinal cord slices to examine the effect of NAGly on glycinergic and NMDA-mediated synaptic transmission. KEY RESULTS: N-arachidonyl-glycine prolonged the decay of glycine, but not ß-alanine induced inward currents and decreased the amplitude of currents induced by both glycine and ß-alanine. NAGly and ALX-1393 (inhibitor of the glycine transporter, GLYT2), but not the GLYT1 inhibitor, ALX-5407, produced a strychnine-sensitive inward current. ALX-5407 and ALX-1393, but not NAGly prolonged the decay phase of glycine receptor-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). NAGly prolonged the decay phase of evoked IPSCs, although to a lesser extent than ALX-5407 and ALX-1393. In the presence of ALX-1393, NAGly shortened the decay phase of evoked IPSCs. ALX-5407 increased and NAGly decreased the amplitude of evoked NMDA-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results suggest that NAGly enhanced inhibitory glycinergic synaptic transmission within the superficial dorsal horn by blocking glycine uptake via GLYT2. In addition, NAGly decreased excitatory NMDA-mediated synaptic transmission. Together, these findings provide a cellular explanation for the spinal analgesic actions of NAGly.

Primary afferents with TRPM8 and TRPA1 profiles target distinct subpopulations of rat superficial dorsal horn neurones.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, transient receptor potential melastatin-1 (TRPM8) and transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1), are expressed in subpopulations of sensory neurones and have been proposed to mediate innocuous and noxious cold sensation respectively. The aim of this study was to compare TRPM8 and TRPA1 modulation of glutamatergic afferent transmission within the spinal dorsal horn. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from rat spinal cord slices in vitro to examine the effect of TRP agonists and temperature on glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). KEY RESULTS: Icilin (3 or 100 micromol.L(-1)), menthol (200 micromol.L(-1)) and capsaicin (1 micromol.L(-1)) reduced the amplitude of primary afferent evoked EPSCs in subpopulations of lamina I and II neurones. In a subpopulation of superficial neurones, innocuous cold (threshold 29 degrees C), 3 micromol.L(-1) icilin (EC50 1.5 micromol.L(-1)) and menthol (EC50 263 micromol.L(-1)) increased the rate of spontaneous miniature EPSCs. In the majority of lamina I and II neurones, 100 micromol.L(-1) icilin (EC50 79 micromol.L(-1)), allyl isothiocyanate (EC50 226 micromol.L(-1)), cinnamaldehyde (EC50 38 micromol.L(-1)) and capsaicin (1 micromol.L(-1)) increased miniature EPSC rate. The response to 100 micromol.L(-1), but not 3 micromol.L(-1) icilin, was abolished by ruthenium red, while neither was affected by iodoresiniferatoxin. Responsiveness to 3 micromol.L(-1), but not to 100 micromol.L(-1) icilin, was highly predictive of innocuous cold responsiveness. Neurones responding to 3 micromol.L(-1) icilin and innocuous cold were located more superficially than those responding to 100 micromol.L(-1) icilin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Activation of TRPM8 and TRPA1 presynaptically modulated glutamatergic transmission onto partially overlapping but distinct populations of superficial dorsal horn neurones. Spinal TRPM8 and TRPA1 channels may therefore provide therapeutic targets in cold hyperesthesia.

Characterization of the effects of charged residues in the intracellular loop on ion permeation in alpha1 glycine receptor channels.

The Cys loop receptor channels mediate fast synaptic transmission in the nervous system. The M2-demarcated transmembrane pore is an important determinant of their ion permeation properties. Portals within the intracellular domain are also part of the permeation pathway in cationic Cys loop receptors, with charged residues in a helical MA stretch partially lining these openings profoundly affecting channel conductance. It is unknown whether analogous portals contribute to the permeation pathway in anionic Cys loop receptors. We therefore investigated the influence of charged residues within the proposed MA stretch on functional properties of the homomeric glycine alpha1 receptor. Up to eight basic residues in the MA stretch were concurrently mutated to a negatively charged glutamate, and wild-type and mutant subunits were expressed in HEK-293 cells. Mutation of all eight residues produced a non-functional receptor. The greatest reduction in conductance at negative membrane potentials (from 92.2+/-2.8 to 60.0+/-2.2 picosiemens) was observed with glutamate present at the 377, 378, 385, and 386 positions (the 4E subunit). Inclusion of additional glutamate residues within this subunit did not decrease conductance further. Neutralizing these residues (the 4A subunit) caused a modest decrease in conductance (80.5+/-2.3 picosiemens). Outward conductance at positive potentials was not markedly affected. Anion to cation selectivity and concentration-response relationships were unaffected by the 4A or 4E mutations. Our results identify basic residues affecting conductance in the glycine receptor, suggesting that portals are part of the extended permeation pathway but that the M2-demarcated channel pore is the dominant determinant of permeation properties in glycine receptors.