Inhibition by hydrogen sulfide of rabbit platelet aggregation and calcium mobilization.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gasotransmitter, plays a variety of roles in the mammalian body including the cardiovascular system. Given evidence that H2S donors including NaHS inhibit human platelet aggregation, we examined and characterized the effects of NaHS on rabbit platelet aggregation and cytosolic Ca(2+) mobilization. Rabbit platelet aggregation was determined in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets. Intracellular Ca(2+) levels were monitored in Fura2-loaded washed platelets. NaHS prevented rabbit platelet aggregation induced by collagen or ADP, and the effective concentration range of NaHS was 0.1-0.3 mM in PRP and 1-3 mM in washed platelets. In washed platelets, NaHS attenuated cytosolic Ca(2+) mobilization induced by collagen or ADP and also reduced platelet aggregation induced by ionomycin, a Ca(2+) ionophore. The anti-platelet effect of NaHS was blocked by an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor and enhanced by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. H2S thus suppresses rabbit platelet aggregation by interfering with both upstream and downstream signals of cytosolic Ca(2+) mobilization in a cAMP-dependent manner.

Antihyperalgesic effect of buprenorphine involves nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide-receptor activation in rats with spinal nerve injury-induced neuropathy.

We evaluated the effect of buprenorphine, a mixed agonist for µ-opioid receptors and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors, in neuropathic rats, using the paw pressure test. Buprenorphine, administered i.p. at 50, but not 20, µg/kg, exhibited naloxone-reversible analgesic activity in naïve rats. In contrast, buprenorphine at 0.5 - 20 µg/kg produced a naloxonesensitive antihyperalgesic effect in the L5 spinal nerve-injured neuropathic rats. Intrathecal injection of [N-Phe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH2, a NOP-receptor antagonist, reversed the effect of buprenorphine in neuropathic rats, but not in naïve rats. Together, buprenorphine suppresses neuropathic hyperalgesia by activating NOP and opioid receptors, suggesting its therapeutic usefulness in treatment of neuropathic pain.

AKAP-dependent sensitization of Ca(v) 3.2 channels via the EP(4) receptor/cAMP pathway mediates PGE(2) -induced mechanical hyperalgesia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Ca(v) 3.2 isoform of T-type Ca(2+) channels (T channels) is sensitized by hydrogen sulfide, a pro-nociceptive gasotransmitter, and also by PKA that mediates PGE(2) -induced hyperalgesia. Here we examined and analysed Ca(v) 3.2 sensitization via the PGE(2) /cAMP pathway in NG108-15 cells that express Ca(v) 3.2 and produce cAMP in response to PGE(2) , and its impact on mechanical nociceptive processing in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In NG108-15 cells and rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, T-channel-dependent currents (T currents) were measured with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The molecular interaction of Ca(v) 3.2 with A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) and its phosphorylation were analysed by immunoprecipitation/immunoblotting in NG108-15 cells. Mechanical nociceptive threshold was determined by the paw pressure test in rats. KEY RESULTS: In NG108-15 cells and/or rat DRG neurons, dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP) or PGE(2) increased T currents, an effect blocked by AKAP St-Ht31 inhibitor peptide (AKAPI) or KT5720, a PKA inhibitor. The effect of PGE(2) was abolished by RQ-00015986-00, an EP(4) receptor antagonist. AKAP150 was co-immunoprecipitated with Ca(v) 3.2, regardless of stimulation with db-cAMP, and Ca(v) 3.2 was phosphorylated by db-cAMP or PGE(2) . In rats, intraplantar (i.pl.) administration of db-cAMP or PGE(2) caused mechanical hyperalgesia, an effect suppressed by AKAPI, two distinct T-channel blockers, NNC 55-0396 and ethosuximide, or ZnCl(2) , known to inhibit Ca(v) 3.2 among T channels. Oral administration of RQ-00015986-00 suppressed the PGE(2) -induced mechanical hyperalgesia. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that PGE(2) causes AKAP-dependent phosphorylation and sensitization of Ca(v) 3.2 through the EP(4) receptor/cAMP/PKA pathway, leading to mechanical hyperalgesia in rats.

Colonic hydrogen sulfide-induced visceral pain and referred hyperalgesia involve activation of both Ca(v)3.2 and TRPA1 channels in mice.

Luminal hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), a gasotransmitter, causes colonic pain / referred hyperalgesia in mice, most probably via activation of T-type Ca(2+) channels. Here we analyzed the mechanisms for H(2)S-induced facilitation of colonic pain signals. Intracolonic administration of NaHS, an H(2)S donor, evoked visceral pain-like nociceptive behavior and referred hyperalgesia in mice, an effect abolished by NNC 55-0396, a selective T-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker, or by knockdown of Ca(v)3.2. AP18, a TRPA1 blocker, also prevented the NaHS-induced colonic pain and referred hyperalgesia. These findings demonstrate that H(2)S-induced colonic pain and referred hyperalgesia require activation of both Ca(v)3.2 and TRPA1 channels in mice.