Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Pivot Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Target Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Query: UMLS:C0162473 (
Frey
)
2,599
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
The neuropeptide
neuromedin U
(
NMU
) has been shown to have significant effects on cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and CNS functions. The peptide was first isolated from the porcine spinal cord and later shown to be present in spinal cords of other species. Little is known about the distribution of
neuromedin U
receptors (NMURs) in the spinal cord and the spinal action of the peptide. Here we report on the expression of NMURs and a potential role in nociception in the rat spinal cord using a combination of behavioral and electrophysiological studies. Receptor autoradiography showed that
NMU
-23 binding was restricted to the superficial layers of spinal cord, a region known to be involved in the control of nociception. In situ hybridization analysis indicated the mRNA of NMUR2 was located in the same region (laminae I and IIo) as
NMU
-23 binding, while the mRNA for
NMU
receptor 1 was observed in a subpopulation of small diameter neurons of dorsal root ganglia. Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of
neuromedin U
-23 (0.4-4.0 nmol/10 microl) dose-dependently decreased both the mechanical threshold to von
Frey
hair stimulation and the withdrawal latency to a noxious thermal stimulus. Mechanical allodynia was observed between 10 and 120 min, peaking at 30 min and heat hyperalgesia was observed 10-30 min after i.t. administration of
NMU
-23. A similar mechanical allodynia was also observed following i.t. administration of
NMU
-8 (0.4-4 nmol/10 microl). A significant enhancement of the excitability of flexor reflex was induced by intrathecal administration of
NMU
-23 (4 nmol/10 microl). Evoked responses to touch and pinch stimuli were increased by 439+/-94% and 188+/-36% (P<0.01, n=6) respectively. The behavioral and electrophysiological data demonstrate, for the first time, a pro-nociceptive action of
NMU
. The restricted distribution of
NMU
receptors to a region of the spinal cord involved in nociception suggests that this peptide receptor system may play a role in nociception.
...
PMID:Pro-nociceptive effects of neuromedin U in rat. 1289 May 16
