gw9508 and Pain

The ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids exert antinociceptive effects in inflammatory and neuropathic pain; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Docosahexaenoic acid-induced antinociception may be mediated by the orphan GPR40, now identified as the free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1 receptor). Here, we examined the involvement of supraspinal FFA1 receptor signalling in the regulation of inhibitory pain control systems consisting of serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons.. Formalin-induced pain behaviours were measured in mice. Antinociception induced by FFA1 receptor agonists was examined by intrathecal injections of a catecholaminergic toxin, 5-HT lowering drug or these antagonists. The expression of FFA1 receptor protein and c-Fos was estimated by immunohistochemistry, and the levels of noradrenaline and 5-HT in the spinal cord were measured by LC-MS/MS.. FFA1 receptors colocalized with NeuN (a neuron marker) in the medulla oblongata and with tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH; a serotonergic neuron marker) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH; a noradrenergic neuron marker). A single i.c.v. injection of GW9508, a FFA1 receptor agonist, increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells and the number of neurons double-labelled for c-Fos and TPH and/or DBH. It decreased formalin-induced pain behaviour. This effect was inhibited by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine, DL-p-chlorophenylalanine, yohimbine or WAY100635. Furthermore, GW9508 facilitated the release of noradrenaline and 5-HT in the spinal cord. In addition, GW1100, a FFA1 receptor antagonist, significantly increased formalin-induced pain-related behaviour.. Activation of the FFA1 receptor signalling pathway may play an important role in the regulation of the descending pain control system.

Topics: Animals; Fenclonine; Formaldehyde; Male; Methylamines; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Pain; Pain Measurement; Propionates; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction

Previous studies have shown that the administration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or GW9508, a GPR40/FFA1 (free fatty acid receptor) agonist, facilitates β-endorphin release in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in mice. However, the mechanisms mediating β-endorphin release induced by GPR40/FFA1 agonists remain unknown. In this study, we focused on the changes in expression of hypothalamic prohormone convertase (PC) 2, which is a calcium-dependent subtilisin-related proteolytic enzyme. The intracerebroventricular injection of DHA or GW9508 significantly increased PC2 protein expression in the hypothalamus. This increase in PC2 expression was inhibited by pretreatment with GW1100, a GPR40/FFA1 antagonist. Furthermore, PC2 protein expression gradually increased over time after complete Freund's adjuvant. These increase in PC2 expression were inhibited by pretreatment with GW1100. However, GW1100 by itself had no effect on PC2 levels. Taken together, our findings suggest that activation of the hypothalamic GPR40/FFA1 signaling pathway may regulate β-endorphin release via PC2, and regulate the endogenous pain control system.

Topics: Animals; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Hypothalamus; Male; Methylamines; Mice; Pain; Propionates; Proprotein Convertase 2; Protein Transport; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP), one of the complications of cerebral ischemia and neuropathic pain syndrome, is associated with specific somatosensory abnormalities. Although CPSP is a serious problem, detailed underlying mechanisms and standard treatments for CPSP are not well established. In this study, we assessed the role of GPR40, a long-chain fatty acid receptor, showing anti-nociceptive effects, in CPSP. We also examined the role of astrocytes in CPSP due to their effects in mediating the release of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which act as potential GPR40 ligands. The aim of this study was to determine the interactions between CPSP and astrocyte/GPR40 signaling. Male ddY mice were subjected to 30 min of bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO). The development of hind paw mechanical hyperalgesia was measured after BCAO using the von Frey test. Neuronal damage was estimated by histological analysis on day 3 after BCAO. The thresholds for hind paw mechanical hyperalgesia were significantly decreased on days 1-28 after BCAO when compared with those of pre-BCAO assessments. BCAO-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was significantly decreased by intracerebroventricular injection of docosahexaenoic acid or GW9508, a GPR40 agonist; furthermore, these effects were reversed by GW1100, a GPR40 antagonist. The expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein, an astrocytic marker, and some free fatty acids were significantly decreased 5h after BCAO, although no effects of BCAO were noted on hypothalamic GPR40 protein expression. Our data show that BCAO-induced mechanical hyperalgesia is possible to be regulated by astrocyte activation and stimulation of GPR40 signaling.

Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Brain Ischemia; Carotid Arteries; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Hyperalgesia; Male; Methylamines; Mice; Pain; Propionates; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction; Stroke