Regulation of nociceptive transduction and transmission by nitric oxide

Alexis Bavencoffe, Shao Rui Chen, Hui Lin Pan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The potential involvement of nitric oxide (NO), a diffusible gaseous signaling messenger, in nociceptive transduction and transmission has been extensively investigated. However, there is no consistent and convincing evidence supporting the pronociceptive action of NO at the physiological concentration, and the discrepancies are possibly due to the nonspecificity of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and different concentrations of NO donors used in various studies. At the spinal cord level, NO predominantly reduces synaptic transmission by inhibiting the activity of NMDA receptors and glutamate release from primary afferent terminals through S-nitrosylation of voltage-activated calcium channels. NO also promotes synaptic glycine release from inhibitory interneurons through the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G signaling pathway. Thus, NO probably functions as a negative feedback regulator to reduce nociceptive transmission in the spinal dorsal horn during painful conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationVitamins and Hormones
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages1-18
Number of pages18
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

Publication series

NameVitamins and Hormones
Volume96
ISSN (Print)0083-6729

Keywords

  • Neuron
  • Neurotransmitter
  • Nitric oxide synthase
  • Nociceptor
  • Pain
  • Spinal cord
  • Synaptic transmission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Endocrinology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Regulation of nociceptive transduction and transmission by nitric oxide'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this