Influence of magnetic nanoparticles on the sensitization of nociceptive neurons

• Grant number: 13/08211-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Amilcar Parada
• Grantee: Luis Paulo Manzo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Magnetic fields created by electronic appliances as mobile telephones, transmission lines (electric lines) and antennas have been gaining importance in our daily lives. If on one hand the biological effects of the statically magnetic field is not clear, on the other hand there are no doubts that the dynamic magnetic fields, as the one produced by the transcranial magnetic stimulation exert important effects on the conductance of brain neurons. It is well known that the magnetic field influences the electric current of the neuron. This effect has been used in the treatment and control of some neurological and psychiatric conditions. According to Classical Physics (Ampere`s Law), the existence of an electric current is associated with the existence of a magnetic field. Therefore, by definition, the neuron generates an intrinsic magnetic field by itself, a result from the passage of the action potential through the cell membrane. Although the existence of an intrinsic magnetic field is measureable, only recently it has been so, in an isolated muscle neuron. Moreover, there is no data available regarding the influence of the intrinsic magnetic field in the transmission of the neuron impulse. Indeed, the idea that the neuronal transmission is an exclusively electrical phenomenon is a paradigm. Preliminary data demonstrated that intrathecal administration of highly magnetic nanoparticles but not the low magnetic ones was capable of lowering of diminishing the mechanical threshold in the paw of rats. This effect was not abrogated by the previous administration of anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone). Once the administration of highly magnetic nanoparticles have increased the mechanical sensitization of the paws of the rats when compared with the administration of the low magnetic particles and also considering that, theoretically, the magnetic nanoparticles would exert its effects only in a existent magnetic field. These results suggest that the neuronal magnetic field plays a role in nociceptive neuronal sensitization. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess the interference of the magnetic nanoparticles in the mechanical threshold of the paw of rats and its possible mechanisms.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MANZO, LUIS PAULO; CERAGIOLI, HELDER; BONET, IVAN JOSE; NISHIJIMA, CATARINE MASSUCATO; VIEIRA, WILLIANS FERNANDO; OLIVEIRA, ELAINE CONCEICAO; DESTRO-FILHO, JOAO-BATISTA; SARTORI, CESAR RENATO; TAMBELI, CLAUDIA HERRERA; PARADA, CARLOS AMILCAR. Magnetic, but not non-magnetic, reduced graphene oxide in spinal cord increases nociceptive neuronal responsiveness. Nanomedicine-Nanotechnology Biology and Medicine, v. 13, n. 5, p. 1841-1851, JUL 2017. (13/08211-0)