Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation decreases nociceptive behaviour in monoarthritic rats

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Cruz C.D. (Author) FMUP; Neto F.L. (Author) FMUP; Castro-Lopes J.M. (Author) FMUP; McMahon, SB (Author) Other; Francisco Cruz (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Pain

Vol. 116 No. 3

Pages: 411-419

ISSN: 0304-3959

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 74 Citations

Scopus - 77 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences > Neuroscience > Neurobiology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-280

DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2005.05.031

Abstract (EN): In this study we investigated the role of the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK) in chronic inflammatory articular nociception. Monoarthritis was induced in the left ankle of Wistar rats by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Movement of the inflamed joint increased ERK phosphorylation in neurones of the superficial and deep ipislateral dorsal horn laminae of L3-L5 spinal cord segments. Spinal immunoreactivity to phosphoERK was more intense in animals in which the inflammation lasted longer, 7 days or more, than in rats with less time of inflammation. PhosphoERK levels were transient, since 2 h after ankle stimulation spinal immunoreaction had almost disappeared. PhosphoERK immunoreactivity was not induced by movement of ankles from non-arthritic control animals, neither in monoarthritic rats in which the inflamed ankle was not stimulated. Intrathecal administration of PD 98059, an inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation, reduced nociceptive behaviour induced by the ankle bend test in monoarthritic rats. The anti-nociceptive effect of PD 98059 was more prominent and in animals with short lasting (4 days) than in animals with longer (14 days) monoarthritis. Taken together, these findings suggest that ERK phosphorylation in spinal cord neurones plays an important role in chronic inflammatory articular pain and that its inhibition may provide significant anti-nociception.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9