Publication: Modifications in the distribution of met-enkephalin in the cat spinal cord after administration of clonidine. An immunocytochemical study
Loading...
Date
1998
Authors
Vazquez, J. ; Covenas, R. ; Muñoz Madrid, Juan ; Garcia, J.A. ; Victoria, A.
item.page.secondaryauthor
item.page.director
Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
We have studied the modifications in the
distribution of methionine-enkephalin in the cat spinal
cord after intravenous or intrathecal administration of
clonidine by using an immunocytochemical technique.
In animals not treated with the substance, a very high
density of immunoreactive fibers was found in layers I
and 11; a high density in the dorso-lateral funiculus and
in the reticular formation; a moderate density in layers
111, IV and V; and a low density in layer VI. However,
after intravenous or intrathecal administration of
clonidine a decrease in fibers containing met-enkephalin
was observed in layers I and I1 (high or moderate
density), the dorso-lateral funiculus, and the reticular
formation (moderate or low density), and in layers IV
and V (low or very low density). In all cases, the
decrease in the immunoreactivity was more marked
when clonidine was administered intrathecally. Our
results suggest that clonidine induces the release of metenkephalin
in the spinal cord. They further suggest that
the opioid peptide released could be involved in the
control of nociceptive transmission by inhibiting the
release of neurotransmitters (e.g., substance P). In
summary, our study shows that clonidine could be
involved in antinociceptive mechanisms in the cat spinal
cord.
publication.page.subject
Citation
item.page.embargo
Ir a Estadísticas
Sin licencia Creative Commons.