Buspirone-induced antinociception is mediated by l-type calcium channels and calcium/caffeine-sensitive pools in mice

Abstract

Decreasing neuronal Ca(2+) levels potentiated buspirone-induced antinociception; conversely, increasing intracellular Ca(2+) abolished the antinociceptive effects of buspirone. These results suggest that Ca(2+) influx from extracellular fluid and release of Ca(2+) from Ca(2+)/caffeine-sensitive microsomal pools may be involved in buspirone-induced antinociception.

Resveratrol-induced antinociception is involved in calcium channels and calcium/caffeine-sensitive pools

“…Nimodipine at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg (i.p.) treated alone did not show any effects in the tail flick latency in mice compared to the vehicle-treated group (data now shown), which was in agreement with the previous findings [21]. However, pretreatment with nimodipine potentiated the effects of resveratrol under sub-threshold dose at 10 mg/kg (F = 6.49, p < 0.05) (p.o.)…”

“…Because of their special role in calcium signaling, VGCCs is an important target for the treatment of pain. Ca 2+ as an intracellular second messenger is involved in a series of functional activities, including electrophysiological activity, neurotransmitter release, protein phosphorylation and gene expression [21]. Central Ca 2+ is closely related to the neurotransmitter transmission of pain, such as tail-flick test.…”

“…Given low dose of L-type calcium channel antagonist nimodipine does not produce analgesic effects [21], but nimodipine significantly enhanced resveratrol's analgesic effects with subthreshold dose (10 mg/kg). Nimodipine antagonizes L-type calcium channel to reduce intracellular calcium ion concentration, which are in agreement with our findings that suggested that nimodipine enhanced the analgesic effect of resveratrol.…”

Beta-endorphin response to an acute pain stimulus

“…A hot-plate (15.9 × 15.9) insulated with polystyrene (Thermolyne Aluminum Type, Model HPA1915B, Dubuque, IA) was maintained at 55 ± 1 • C by a temperature controller (GlasCol, PowrTrol Model, Terre Haute, IN) and monitored using a thermo-coupled thermometer (Omega, Model HH11, Stamford, CT). In order to confirm that pain had been experienced by exposure to the hot-plate, the animal's paw-licking response was observed (Pierretti et al, 1993;Rubenstein et al, 1996;Liang et al, 2003;Rasmussen and Farr, 2003;Vermeirsch and Meert, 2004;Wesolowska et al, 2004;Suaudeau et al, 2005;Altug et al, 2006;Berrocoso et al, 2006;Smith and Lindsay, 2007;Hsieh et al, 2008;Milano et al, 2008). Exposure of a mouse to a 55 • C hot-plate induces the paw-licking response and the mouse begins to lick its front or hind paws.…”

Alcohol is a drug; a cautionary note on its use as a drug solvent

“…The amounts of alcohol used for dissolving other drugs are often quite considerable, and too many papers do not state what dose of alcohol is being given, or even the concentration of alcohol in the injected solution (e.g. Liang et al 2003) from which this could be calculated.…”