Involvement of astrocyte activation in the increased masseter mechanical sensitivity induced by psychological stress in rats
LIU Yang
ZHANG Min
ZHAO Ya-juan
WANG Jian
ZHAO Rui-ni
CHEN Yong-jin
Abstract：AIM:To investigate the role of astrocyte activation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc)in the increased masseter mechanical sensitivity induced by psychological stress in rats.METHODS:40 male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and 3 stress groups (n=10).The rats in stress groups were treated by constraint for 3,7 and 14 days respectively.The stressed condition was testified by open field test and the elevated plus maze test.Von Frey filaments were used to evaluate the mechanical sensitivity of masseter.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western-blot.RESULTS:The rats in the 7-and 14-day stress groups showed significant anxious and depressive behavior(P<0.05 ),and increase of masseter mechanical sensitivity(P<0.05).GFAP expression in Vc was increased in the stress groups compared with that in the control group (P<0.05 ).CONCLUSION:Chronic restraint stress can result in astrocytes activation in Vc that may contribute to the increased masseter mechanical sensitivity in rats.
Keywords：psychological stressmechanical sensitivityspinal trigeminal nucleus caudalisastrocytesGFAP
Publication Date：2014-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 258-263 )