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Related Experiment Videos

Central neuronal changes in recurrent visceral pain

M A Giamberardino1, R Valente, G Affaitati

  • 1Pathophysiology of Pain Laboratory, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti, Italy.

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research
|January 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Repeated urinary tract stones cause referred muscle pain by sensitizing the central nervous system. This muscle hyperalgesia intensifies with more pain episodes, indicating a link between visceral and somatic pain pathways.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Research
  • Urology

Background:

  • Recurrent urinary tract stones (calculosis) can lead to referred muscle hyperalgesia.
  • The extent of this muscle pain is directly proportional to the frequency of stone-induced colic episodes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the underlying pathophysiology of referred muscle hyperalgesia in a rodent model of ureteral calculosis.
  • To explore the neurophysiological changes in the spinal cord dorsal horn associated with repeated visceral pain.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings from the spinal cord in an animal model of artificial ureteral calculosis (stone-rats).
  • Stimulation of hyperalgesic lumbar musculature and analysis of neuronal activity in the dorsal horn.
  • Comparison of neuronal activity between stone-rats and control rats.

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Main Results:

  • Stone-rats exhibited visceral pain episodes and ipsilateral lumbar muscle hyperalgesia, proportional to the number of colic episodes.
  • In the dorsal horn, stone-rats showed increased percentages of neurons responsive to muscle stimulation, spontaneously active cells, and cells with low mechanical activation thresholds.
  • A higher frequency of background activity and, in severe cases, abnormal rhythmic neuronal bursting were observed, indicating central sensitization.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest that repeated visceral afferent barrages from ureteral stones induce central sensitization in the spinal cord.
  • This central sensitization facilitates the central effects of muscular input, leading to referred muscle hyperalgesia.
  • The degree of sensitization is a function of the repetition of visceral pain episodes.