cannabinoid agonists inhibit neuropathic pain induced by brachial plexus avulsion in mice by affecting glial cells and map kinases大麻素受体激动剂能抑制小鼠臂丛神经撕脱伤引起的神经性疼痛影响胶质细胞和map激酶.pdfVIP

Cannabinoid Agonists Inhibit Neuropathic Pain Induced by Brachial Plexus Avulsion in Mice by Affecting Glial Cells and MAP Kinases 1 1 1 ˜ 2 3 Ana F. Paszcuk , Rafael C. Dutra , Kathryn A. B. S. da Silva , Nara L. M. Quintao , Maria M. Campos , ˜ 1* Joao B. Calixto ´ 1 Department of Pharmacology, Centre of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2 Programa de Mestrado em ˆ ˆ ´ ´ ´ ´ Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade do Vale de Itajaı, Itajaı, Brazil, 3 School of Dentistry and Institute of Toxicology, Pontifıcia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil Abstract Background: Many studies have shown the antinociceptive effects of cannabinoid (CB) agonists in different models of pain. Herein, we have investigated their relevance in neuropathic pain induced by brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) in mice. Methodology/Principal Findings: Mice underwent BPA or sham surgery. The mRNA levels and protein expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors were assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The activation of glial cells, MAP kinases and transcription factors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The antinociceptive properties induced by cannabinoid agonists were assessed on the 5th and 30th days after surgery. We observed a marked increase in CB1 and CB2