PMID: 11324443Apr 28, 2001Paper

Arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus involved in analgesic action of l-THP

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
J Y Hu, G Z Jin

Abstract

To study the role of the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus in analgesic action of l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP). The horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing, HRP retrograde tracing combined with immunohistochemistry, lesion of nucleus, tail-flick test, and intra-PAG injection were used in the present study. HRP retrograde tracing results showed that the striatum or accumbens nucleus connect with PAG by two pathways: 1) striatum or accumbens nucleus-->arcuate nucleus-->PAG; 2) striatum or accumbens nucleus-->habenula-->PAG. It was found that neurons in the arcuate nucleus projecting to PAG were mainly beta-endorphin neurons as observed by HRP retrograde tracing combined with immuno-histochemistry. After lesion of the arcuate nucleus, the analgesic action of l-THP (40 mg.kg-1, i.p.) was abolished, while lesion of the habenula had no such effect. Moreover, intra-PAG injection of naloxone (2, 3 micrograms) could markedly attenuate the analgesic action of l-THP (40 mg.kg-1, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner. beta-Endorphin neurons in the arcuate nucleus play an important role in the analgesic action of l-THP.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Basal Ganglia

Basal Ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural and habit learning, emotion, and cognition. Here is the latest research.

Related Papers

Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Zhong-miao ZhangXiao-xiang Zheng
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Zhong-miao ZhangQuan Zhou
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved