Objective Melittin is the main peptide in bee venom and causes both persistent spontaneous nociception and pain hypersensitivity. Our recent studies indicated that both transient receptor potential （TRP） vanilloid receptor 1 （TRPV 1） and canonical TRPs （TRPCs） are involved in mediating the melittin-induced activation of different subpopulations of pri- mary nociceptive cells. Here, we further determined whether TRPC channels are involved in melittin-induced inflamma- tory nociceptive responses in behavioral assays. Methods The anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperalgesic effects of localized peripheral administration of three doses of the non-selective TRPC antagonist, SKF-96365 （1-{[3-[3-（4-methoxyphenyl） propoxy]-4-methoxyphenyl}-lH-imidazole hydrochloride）, were evaluated in melittin tests. Pain-related behaviors were rated by counting the number of paw flinches, and measuring paw withdrawal thermal latency （s） and paw withdrawl me- chanical threshold （g）, over a l-h time-course. Results Localized peripheral SKF-96365 given before melittin prevented, and given after melittin significantly suppressed, the melittin-evoked persistent spontaneous nociception. Pre-blockade and post-suppression of activation of primary nociceptive activity resulted in decreased hypersensitivity to both thermal and mechanical stimuli applied to the primary injury site of the ipsilateral hindpaw, despite dose-effect differences between thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. However, local administration of SKF-96365 into the contralateral hindpaw had no significant effect on any pain-associated behaviors. In addition, SKF-96365 had no effect on baseline threshold for either thermal or mechanical sensitivity under normal conditions. Conclusion Besides TRPV1, SKF-96365-sensitive TRPC channels might also be involved in the pathophysiological processing of melittin-induced inflammatory pain and hyper- sensitivity. Therapeutically, SKF-96365 is equally effective in preventing primary thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia
Simultaneous multisite recording using multi-electrode arrays（MEAs） in cultured and acutely-dissociated brain slices and other tissues is an emerging technique in the field of network electrophysiology.Over the past 40 years,great efforts have been made by both scientists and commercial concerns,to advance this technique.The MEA technique has been widely applied to many regions of the brain,retina,heart and smooth muscle in various studies at the network level.The present review starts from the development of MEA techniques and their uses in brain preparations,and then specifically concentrates on the use of MEA recordings in studies of synaptic plasticity at the network level in both the temporal and spatial domains.Because the MEA technique helps bridge the gap between single-cell recordings and behavioral assays,its wide application will undoubtedly shed light on the mechanisms underlying brain functions and dysfunctions at the network level that remained largely unknown due to the technical difficulties before it matured.
The concept of pain has remained a topic of long debate since its emergence in ancient times. The initial ideas of pain were formulated in both the East and the West before 1800. Since 1800, due to the development of experimental sciences, different theories of pain have emerged and become central topics of debate. However, the existing theories of pain may be appropriate for the interpretation of some aspects of pain, but are not yet comprehensive. The history of pain problems is as long as that of human beings;however, the understanding of pain mechanisms is still far from sufficient. Thus, intensive research is required. This historical review mainly focuses on the development of pain theories and the fundamental discoveries in this field. Other historical events associated with pain therapies and remedies are beyond the scope of this review.
Objective Melittin （MEL） is a major component of bee venom and can produce both persistent spontaneous nociception and pain hypersensitivity when injected subcutaneously in the periphery. The present study aimed to examine the roles of transient receptor potential canonical （TRPC） channels in mediation of MEL-indueed activation of primary nociceptive cells. Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp and laser scanning confocal calcium detection were used to evalu- ate the effects of SKF-96365, a TRPC inhibitor, applied on the acutely isolated dorsal root ganglion （DRG） cells of rat, on MEL-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration （[Ca2＋]i） and inward current. Results Under voltage- clamp mode, 43.9% （40/91） DRG cells were evoked to give rise to the inward current by 2 pmol/L MEL, which could be significantly suppressed by 3 doses of SKF-96365 （1, 5 and 10μmol/L） in a dose-dependent manner. Of the other 210 cells, 67.6% responded to MEL with an intracellular Ca2＋ rise, as revealed by confocal calcium imaging. Of these MEL- sensitive cells, 46.5% （66/142） were suppressed by the highest dose of SKF-96365. Conclusion MEL-induced activation of small to medium-sized DRG cells can be suppressed by SKF-96365, suggesting the involvement of TRPC channels in the mediation of MEL-induced activation of primary nociceptive cells.
