Effects of corticotrophin on pain behavior and BDNF, CRF levels in frontal cortex of rats suffering from chronic pain
Abstract
"AIM:
To investigate the effects of corticotrophin (Cor) on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and its functional receptor trkB in the frontal cortex of complete Freud's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats.
METHODS:
The chronic pain rat model was modified and pain behaviour scores were assessed. BDNF-immunoreactivity (IR), trkB-IR, and CRF mRNA-positive neurons were measured by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods.
RESULTS:
Compared with control rats, pain behavior scores, BDNF-IR, CRF mRNA-positive, trkB-IR, and BDNF/CRF mRNA double-labeling neurons in the contralateral frontal cortex of the arthritic rats increased significantly at 24 h after injection of CFA (P < 0.05), and these effects were decreased markedly by i.p. injection of Cor (P < 0.05). The decrease in pain behavior and BDNF-IR, CRF mRNA levels in frontal cortex of arthritic rats due to Cor were partly prevented by adrenalectomy (ADX).
CONCLUSION:
The increment in BDNF and CRF levels in the contralateral frontal cortex of arthritic rats may be inhibited by corticotrophin."
Keywords:
To investigate the effects of corticotrophin (Cor) on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and its functional receptor trkB in the frontal cortex of complete Freud's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats.
METHODS:
The chronic pain rat model was modified and pain behaviour scores were assessed. BDNF-immunoreactivity (IR), trkB-IR, and CRF mRNA-positive neurons were measured by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods.
RESULTS:
Compared with control rats, pain behavior scores, BDNF-IR, CRF mRNA-positive, trkB-IR, and BDNF/CRF mRNA double-labeling neurons in the contralateral frontal cortex of the arthritic rats increased significantly at 24 h after injection of CFA (P < 0.05), and these effects were decreased markedly by i.p. injection of Cor (P < 0.05). The decrease in pain behavior and BDNF-IR, CRF mRNA levels in frontal cortex of arthritic rats due to Cor were partly prevented by adrenalectomy (ADX).
CONCLUSION:
The increment in BDNF and CRF levels in the contralateral frontal cortex of arthritic rats may be inhibited by corticotrophin."