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Prostaglandin inhibitor indormethacin inhibits afferent activities of A_δ and C units in the saphenous nerve of diabetic hyperalgesic rats

Liu Jian, Zhang Qiao, Guo Beichuan, Cao Dongyuan, Wang Kemo

Department of Physiology, School of Medicne, Xi^an Joao Tong University,Xi^an(910061)；Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital, Xi^an Jiao Tong University,Xi^an(910004)

Abstract

The effects of a non-selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) indomethacin, and exogenous prostaglandin E_2 (PGE_2) on A_δ units and C units in the saphenous nerve of diabetic hyperagesic rats were studied. The results showed that the conduction velocity of A_δ units (4/24) and C units (2/18) produced increased spontaneous activities. Intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin in diabetic hyperalgesic rats significantly relieved mechanical hyperalgesia, and resulted in a decrease in spontaneous afferent activities of the A_δ units and C units. Subcutaneous injection of exogenous PGE_2 into the diabetic hyperagesic and control rats produced a significant decrease in mechanical threshold of the A_δ units and C units, and elicited discharge from 3 A_δunits (3/24) and 1 C unit (1/18) in diabetic hyperagesic rats and from 2 A_δ units (2/13) in control rats. The present data suggest that the synthesis and release of PGs are increased in diabetic neuropathy, PGs can sensitize and/or activate A_δ units and C units and elicit hyperagesia and allodynia in diabetic rats.

Key words: Hyperalgesia;Indomethacin;Unitary discharge;Diabetes;Rat

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Citing This Article：

Liu Jian, Zhang Qiao, Guo Beichuan, Cao Dongyuan, Wang Kemo. Prostaglandin inhibitor indormethacin inhibits afferent activities of A_δ and C units in the saphenous nerve of diabetic hyperalgesic rats. Acta Physiol Sin 2002; 54 (5): (in Chinese with English abstract).