Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vanilloid receptor subtype 1 immunoreactive sensory DRG neurons innervating the lumbar facet joints in rats

Auton Neurosci. 2001 Dec 10;94(1-2):132-5. doi: 10.1016/S1566-0702(01)00343-5.

Abstract

The rat L5/6 facet joint is innervated from L1 to L6 by the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The presence of substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive (ir) DRG neurons innervating the L5/6 facet joint has been demonstrated. However, the presence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-ir and the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1)-ir DRG neurons, which relate to inflammatory and burning pain innervating the L5/6 facet joint, has not. Fluoro-gold (FG)-labeled neurons innervating the L5/6 facet joint were distributed throughout the DRGs from T13 to L6 levels. Of the FG-labeled neurons, the proportions of BDNF-ir in L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 DRG neurons were 9%, 15%, 21%, 17% and 20% and the proportions of VR1-ir L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 DRG neurons were 8%, 9%, 15%, 16% and 15%, respectively.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism*
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Joints / innervation*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / innervation*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
  • Nociceptors / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Drug / metabolism*
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • Tissue Fixation

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Receptors, Drug
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • TRPV1 receptor