Primary afferent-evoked EPSCs were recorded from medullary dorsal horn neurons of rat horizontal brain stem slices using a conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique under a voltage-clamp condition.
KEY RESULTSCP93129, a selective 5-HT1B receptor agonist, reversibly and concentration-dependently decreased the amplitude of glutamatergic EPSCs and increased the paired-pulse ratio. In addition, CP93129 reduced the frequency of spontaneous miniature EPSCs without affecting the current amplitude. The CP93129-induced inhibition of EPSCs was significantly occluded by GR55562, a 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, but not LY310762, a 5-HT1D receptor antagonist. Sumatriptan, an anti-migraine drug, also decreased EPSC amplitude, and this effect was partially blocked by either GR55562 or LY310762. On the other hand, primary afferent-evoked EPSCs were mediated by the Ca 2+ influx passing through both presynaptic N-type and P/Q-type Ca 2+ channels. The CP93129-induced inhibition of EPSCs was significantly occluded by w-conotoxin GVIA, an N-type Ca 2+ channel blocker.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThe present results suggest that the activation of presynaptic 5-HT1B receptors reduces glutamate release from primary afferent terminals onto medullary dorsal horn neurons, and that 5-HT1B receptors could be, at the very least, a potential target for the treatment of pain from orofacial tissues. Abbreviations w-AgTx, w-agatoxin IVA; APV, DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid; w-CgTx, w-conotoxin GVIA; CP93129, 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1,4-diydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-5-one; GIRK, G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K
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