Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology
Author: Mayra Micaela Montes | Email: mayramicaelamontes@gmail.com
Mayra Montes1°, Libia Catalina Salinas Castellanos1°,Georgina Mingolo1°, Mariela Lacave2°, Romina De Lucca2°, Carina Weissmann1°2°
1° Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE)
2° Facultad de odontología (UBA)
Animal models of inflammatory pain often involve the injection of various irritants into tissues to induce acute inflammatory reactions. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a well-known activator of inflammation, when administered subcutaneously into the subplantar region of rodent hind paws, elicits an acute localized response characterized by swelling. Similar inflammatory responses have been observed with agents like Carrageenan and Zymosan, which are commonly used in pain research.
In this study, we focused on the LPS-induced acute pain model. The inflammatory process was marked by observable signs such as swelling and neutrophil infiltration. Our results demonstrate significant variations between male and female mice in terms of sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. These changes were associated with elevated levels of Acid Sensing Ion Channel 1 proteins as well as increased phosphorylation of the MAPK ERK, a signaling pathway implicated in pain modulation.
Moreover, our findings align with recent evidence from other acute pain models, showing that sex differences are a consistent feature in the inflammatory pain response. These results underscore the connection between channels and inflammation in various pathological events we are currently studying. This study also highlights the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in pain research and provides insights into the differential mechanisms that may contribute to pain perception.