Effect and possible mechanism of melatonin on the firing rate of pain neurons in lateral habenular nucleus.

Author: Jlan-ping LIN ¹ ; Ying-hong XIA ; Hua ZHAO
Author Information

1. Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Analgesics; pharmacology; Animals; Habenula; drug effects; physiology; Male; Melatonin; pharmacology; Neuralgia; physiopathology; Neurons; drug effects; physiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar
From: Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology 2006;22(3):322-325
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract:
AIMThe effect and possible mechanism of Melatonin (MEL) on firing rate of pain neurons in lateral habenular nucleus of rats were investigated in the experiment.
METHODSSingle extracellular firing were recorded to study the firing rate changes of pain neurons and sensitivity changes to pain stimulation induced by MEL in LHb of rats. Reverse effect of naloxone on the analgesia induced by melatonin was also observed.
RESULTSMelatonin showed the effects on the firing of pain neurons in the LHb and decreased the sensitivity of pain neurons to pain stimulation, which could be reversed by naloxone.
CONCLUSIONMelatonin can change the responses of pain neurons to pain stimulation via opioid receptor in the LHb, which might be one of analgesic mechanisms by MEL.