Attenuation by Butalbital of Capsaicin-Induced C-fos—like Immunoreactivity in Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis

  1. F. Michael Cutrer MD,
  2. Dimos D. Mitsikostas MD,
  3. Gamze Ayata MD,
  4. Margarita Sanchez del Rio MD

Article first published online: 12 JUL 2007

DOI: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3910697.x

Issue

Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain

Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain

Volume 39, Issue 10, pages 697–704, November/December 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Cutrer, F. M., Mitsikostas, D. D., Ayata, G. and Sanchez del Rio, M. (1999), Attenuation by Butalbital of Capsaicin-Induced C-fos—like Immunoreactivity in Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 39: 697–704. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1999.3910697.x

Author Information

  1. From Stroke and Neurovascular Regulation, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Mass.

*Correspondence: F. Michael Cutrer MD,

*Correspondence: Address all correspondence to Dr. F. Michael Cutrer, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, CNY 6403, Charlestown, MA 02129.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 JUL 2007
  2. Article first published online: 12 JUL 2007
  3. Accepted for publication April 14, 1999.

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Keywords:

  • trigeminal nucleus caudalis;
  • capsaicin;
  • guinea pig;
  • intracisternal;
  • c-fos;
  • immunohistochemistry

We examined the effects of butalbital (30, 100, and 1000 μg/kg) on the number of cells expressing c-fos—like immunoreactivity (c-fos—LI), a marker of neuronal activation, within lamina I, II0 of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis and the nucleus of the solitary tract 2 hours after the intracisternal injection of capsaicin (0.1 mL; 15.25 mg/mL) or vehicle in urethane-anesthetized guinea pigs (N=45). Robust c-fos—LI was observed within nuclei of cells in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis after capsaicin (329 ± 35). Butalbital dose-dependently reduced the number of labeled cells to a maximum of 66% (1000 μg/kg intraperitoneally [IP], P<.01) in lamina I, II0 but not within area postrema, medial reticular nucleus, or the nucleus of the solitary tract. Pretreatment with bicuculline (30 μg/kg IP) blocked the effect of butalbital, thereby suggesting the importance of the GABAA receptor to activation involved in the transmission of nociceptive information. Our studies suggest the possibility that GABAA, receptors might provide an important therapeutic target in migraine and related headache disorders.

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