Role of Spinal Microglia in Visceral Hyperalgesia and NK1R Up-Regulation in a Rat Model of Chronic Stress (Gastroenterology 2009;136:1339-1348)
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Chronic psychological stress is associated with visceral hyperalgesia. Microglia in the central nervous system are a type of nonneuronal cells and play a key role in the initiation or maintenance of hyperalgesia and allodynia, as demonstrated in animal models of chronic pain caused by peripheral inflammation or nerve injury. 1 However, the mechanisms of microglia activation and the downstream pathways leading to amplification of the nociceptive signaling are only partially understood. Activated microglia produce and release a range of proinflammatory mediators, such as cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α), chemokines, nitric oxide, and prostaglandins, all of which can act on afferent nerve terminals and spinal sensory neurons and increase neuronal excitability. 2 The authors wanted to identify the role of spinal microglia in the development of visceral hyperalgesia from chronic stress in a rat model.
Author: Su Jin Hong
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2057804268