Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
8-2016
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology
Degree Program
Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, MS
Committee Chair
Petruska, Jeffrey
Committee Member
Magnuson, Eric
Committee Member
Ellis,Steven
Author's Keywords
nociception; neonatal capsaicin; ATF3
Abstract
Acute and chronic pain can be extremely debilitating conditions, and a better understanding of their underlying pathology is necessary to provide effective treatment. C-Fibers are responsible for transmission of the majority of nociceptive signals, with TRPV1+ C-Fibers being specific to noxious heat. Formalin, an inflammatory agent, acts through TRPA1+ C-Fibers, which have a high degree of co-localization with TRPV1. Using a neonatal capsaicin preparation, which irreversibly ablates the majority of TRPV1+ C-Fibers, formalin- induced inflammation and subsequent ATF3 expression was investigated. Results provide evidence that in addition to a lack of thermal nociception, animals treated with neonatal capsaicin had a lower threshold for mechanical nociception. Furthermore, neonatal capsaicin treatment reduced formalin- induced allodynia and prevented formalin-induced hyperalgesia. Lastly, treatment with neonatal capsaicin was shown to produce less small- diameter and more intermediate and large-diameter neurons in the DRG compared to vehicle-treated animals, as well as less overall ATF3 expression.
Recommended Citation
Krupp, Sarah, "Effects of neonatal capsaicin on formalin-induced ATF3 expression in the adult rat." (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2535.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2535
