Investigation of the immunoreactivities of NOS enzymes and the effect of sumatriptan in adolescent rats using an experimental model of migraine

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the immunoreactivities for NOS enzymes in frontal cortex and meningeal vessels after chemical stimulation of the subarachnoid space of adolescent rats and the effect of sumatriptan pre-treatment on the immunoreactivities of the NOS enzymes. Male adolescent Wistar rats were used. Rats in group 1 did not taken intracisternal injection. Rats in group 2 were taken intracisternal autologous blood injection, but no sumatriptan pre-treatment. Rats in group 3 were taken intracisternal autologous blood injection, but they were taken sumatriptan pre-treatment. Tissue samples were investigated for the presence of NOS immunoreactivity. The mean values of immunolabeling intensities for NOS enzymes in frontal cortex and meningeal vessels were significantly increased in group 2 compared to group 1. The mean values of immunolabeling intensities for NOS enzymes in frontal cortex and meningeal vessels were significantly reduced in group 3 compared to group 2. These results suggest that, chemical stimulation of the subarachnoid space increased the immunoreactivities of NOS enzymes in the brain of adolescent rats. The increased NOS immunoreactivities could be antagonized by pre-treatment with sumatriptan.

Pharmacological evidence of involvement of nitric oxide pathway in anti‐pruritic effects of sumatriptan in chloroquine‐induced scratching in mice

“…The 5‐HTR1b/1d are expressed on primary sensory nerves as well as various population of skin cells . There are studies reported that 5‐HTR1 agonists inhibit NOS activity to suppress pain signals . Despite the known role of 5‐HTR1b/1d agonists in pain, limited studies have investigated their involvement in itch.…”

Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Mouse Macrophage Cells by Feverfew Supercritical Extract

“…Nitric oxide and other vasoactive and vasodilating compounds are believed to be released via the activation of the trigeminovascular pathway. The vasodilation caused by these molecules, appears to initiate neurogenic inflammation resulting in severe pain (Kurul et al ., ; Levy et al ., ). In recent years, there has been an increased interest in feverfew that has led to some clinical trials (Johnson et al ., ; Murphy et al ., ; Palevitch et al ., ; Kulkarni and Jain, ; Diener et al ., ).…”

“…An increase in NO production has been associated with migraine pain and other conditions (Olesen, ; Kurul et al ., ; Thomsen and Olesen, ; Van der Kuy and Lohman, ). Nitric oxide and other vasoactive and vasodilating compounds are believed to be released via the activation of the trigeminovascular pathway.…”

“…Nitric oxide is a small unstable free radical produced naturally by the body during the degradation of l ‐arginine to l ‐citrulline by the catalytic action of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Several studies have described NO as a key player in the initiation of migraine pain (Olesen, ; Kurul et al ., ; Thomsen and Olesen, ; Van der Kuy and Lohman, ). This hypothesis is also supported by the efficacy of current medications (not including analgesic) for the treatment of migraine and other headaches that exert their effects on the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway (NO–cGMP) (Olesen, ; Fidan et al ., ).…”

Cortical spreading depression upregulates calcitonin gene-related peptide expression in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex

“…NOS has also been considered as a potential migraine mediator: Kurul and colleagues showed that autologous blood injected into the cisterna magna of rats significantly increased NOS immunoreactivity, and that sumatriptan could attenuate the NOS increase (Kurul et al, 2008). Indeed, recent clinical trials supported the use of the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-NMMA as an effective migraine therapeutic, although cardiovascular risks associated with L-NMMA preclude its use in humans (Barbanti, Egeo, Aurilia, Fofi, & Della-Morte, 2014).…”