Role of P2X7 purinergic receptor in muscle pain

• Grant number: 13/22792-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date until: May 01, 2014
• End date until: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Amilcar Parada
• Grantee: Thaísa Joanna Fattori Fajani
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/11064-4 - Development of a new model for the study of muscle hyperalgesia and the involvement of P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors in muscle hyperalgesia, AP.JP

Abstract

Recently, our laboratory demonstrated that the activation of P2X3 receptors by endogenous ATP or by its agonist is essential for the development of mechanical hyperalgesia in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. In addition to the P2X3 receptors, among the seven P2X receptor subtypes, P2X7 receptors also have an important role in the processes of pain and inflammation. Our research group recently demonstrated that activation of P2X7 receptors in subcutaneous tissue induces hyperalgesia through indirect sensitization of primary afferent nociceptors mediated by the release of proinflammatory cytokines. However, despite the clinical relevance of muscle pain, the role of these receptors in the mechanical muscle hyperalgesia is not known. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether the activation of P2X7 receptors is involved in mechanical hyperalgesia in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. (AU)