Astrocytic expression of GFAP and serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in rats treated with different pain relievers

Authors

  • Gisele Ferreira Amaral University Paulista; Department of Environmental and Experimental Pathology
  • Pietro Domingues Dossa University Paulista; Department of Environmental and Experimental Pathology
  • Lígia Bocamino Viebig University Paulista; Department of Environmental and Experimental Pathology
  • Fabiana Toshie Camargo Konno University Paulista; Department of Environmental and Experimental Pathology
  • Amanda Consoli Federal University of São Paulo; Department of Psychobiology
  • Maria de Fátima Monteiro Martins University Cruzeiro do Sul; Department of Veterinary Medicine
  • Flávio Cesar Viani University Cruzeiro do Sul; Department of Veterinary Medicine
  • Eduardo Fernandes Bondan University Cruzeiro do Sul; Department of Veterinary Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-82502016000400006

Abstract

Pro-inflammatory cytokines and glial cells, especially microglial cells, have been implicated in persistent pain sensitization. Less is known about the role of astrocytes in pain regulation. This study aimed to observe the expression of the astrocytic biomarker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the serum levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) after short-term administration of central pain relievers in rats not submitted to noxious stimuli. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups, receiving for nine days- (1) amitriptyline (Amt-10 mg/kg/day, by gavage); (2) gabapentin (Gb-60 mg/kg/day, by gavage; (3) methadone (Me-4.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal route [IP]); (4) morphine (Mo-10 mg/kg/day, IP); or (5) 0.9% saline solution, IP. Brain samples were collected for immunohistochemical study of GFAP expression in the mesencephalon and nucleus accumbens (NAc). The area of GFAP-positive cells was calculated using MetaMorph software and serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum TNF-α levels were decreased in the groups treated with Mo, Me and Gb, but not in the Amt-treated group. IL-1β decreased only in rats treated with Me. The astrocytic expression of GFAP was decreased in the brainstem with all drugs, while it was increased in the NAc with Amt, Me and Mo.

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Published

2016-12-01

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Articles

How to Cite

Astrocytic expression of GFAP and serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in rats treated with different pain relievers . (2016). Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 52(4), 623-633. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-82502016000400006