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Biomedical subjects

J T Williams

Publications and source records attributed to J T Williams.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) by cyclic nucleotides in guinea-pig primary afferent neurons.

1. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from dissociated guinea-pig nodose and trigeminal ganglion neurons in culture to study second messenger mechanisms of the hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) modulation. 2. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and forskolin modulate Ih in primary afferents by shifting the activation curve in the depolarizing direction and increasing the maximum amplitude. 3. The cAMP analogues, RP-cAMP-S (an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA)) and SP-cAMP-S (an activator of PKA), both shifted the activation curve of Ih to more depolarized potentials and occluded the effects of forskolin. These results suggest that Ih is modulated by a direct action of the cAMP analogues. 4. Superfusion of other cyclic nucleotide analogues (8-Br-cAMP, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP and 8-Br-cGMP) mimicked the actions of forskolin and PGE2, but dibutyryl cGMP, 5'-AMP and adenosine had no effect on Ih. 8-Br-cAMP and 8-Br-cGMP had similar concentration response profiles, suggesting that Ih has little nucleotide selectivity. 5. The inhibitor peptide (PKI), the catalytic subunit of PKA (C subunit) and phosphatase inhibitors (microcystin and okadaic acid) had no effect on forskolin modulation of Ih. 6. These results indicate that Ih is regulated by cyclic nucleotides in sensory neurons. Positive regulation of Ih by prostaglandins produced during inflammation may lead to depolarization and facilitation of repetitive activity, and thus contribute to sensitization to painful stimuli.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1996

Endogenous monoamines inhibit glutamate transmission in the spinal trigeminal nucleus of the guinea-pig.

1. With the use of whole-cell patch clamp recordings in slices of guinea-pig substantia gelatinosa (SG), we studied the serotonin (5-HT)- and noradrenaline (NA)-mediated inhibition of glutamate-mediated EPSCs evoked from primary afferent stimulation. 2. The frequency of spontaneous EPSPs was reduced by 5-HT and NA. 3. The inhibition of EPSCs caused by 5-HT was mediated by the 5-HT1D receptor subtype, since the 5-HT1D agonist, sumatriptan (1 microM), was effective. 4. NA and the alpha 2-agonist, 5-bromo-N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-6-quinoxalinamine (UK 14304), decreased the EPSCs and this inhibition was blocked by the alpha 2-antagonists, idazoxan (1 microM) and yohimbine (1 microM). 5. The 5-HT-releasing agent, fenfluramine (10 microM), and the Na-releasing agent, amphetamine (1 microM), also depressed EPSCs. Pretreatment of slices with the 5-HT-depleting agent, p-chloro-amphetamine (10 microM), attenuated the inhibition of fenfluramine but failed to antagonize the effects of exogenously applied 5-HT. 6. These in vitro results suggest that presynaptic inhibition of glutamate release from primary afferents can provide another mechanism to explain the antinociceptive effects of 5-HT and NA obtained in vivo.

Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1996

Opioid desensitization: interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors in the locus coeruleus.

In rat locus coeruleus (LC) neurons, alpha 2 adrenoceptors, mu-opioid and somatostatin receptors all activate the same potassium conductance. Chronic treatment with morphine causes a loss of sensitivity that is specific to the mu-opioid response, with no change in the alpha 2 adrenoceptor-mediated response. Acute desensitization induced by opioid, somatostatin, and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists was studied in brain slices of rat LC using intracellular recording. A supramaximal concentration of the opioid agonist Met5-enkephalin induced a profound homologous desensitization but little heterologous desensitization to an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist (UK 14304) or somatostatin. All desensitized currents showed partial recovery. A supramaximal concentration of UK14304 caused a relatively small amount of desensitization. Although little interaction was observed among inhibitory G-protein-coupled receptors, activation of an excitatory receptor had marked effects on inhibitory responses. Muscarinic agonists, which produce an inward current in LC neurons, reduced the magnitude of agonist-induced outward currents and increased both the rate and amount of opioid desensitization. Muscarinic activation did not alter desensitization of alpha 2-adrenoceptor responses. Acute desensitization shares several characteristics with the tolerance induced by chronic morphine treatment of animals.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1996

A common mechanism mediates long-term changes in synaptic transmission after chronic cocaine and morphine.

The mesolimbic system is known to play a role in self-administration of opioids and psychostimulants. Although morphine and cocaine act by separate cellular mechanisms initially, the present study describes a common change in synaptic regulation of dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area 1 week after termination of chronic treatment with either drug. Normally, D1 receptor activation augmented the amplitude of a gamma-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA(B)) inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP), but in drug-experienced animals, D1 receptor activation caused an inhibition of the GABA(B) IPSP. The inhibition was blocked by adenosine A1 receptor antagonists and by agents that disrupted the metabolism of cAMP. This long-lasting dopamine-adenosine interaction may be one mechanism involved in dopamine-mediated craving and relapse to drug-seeking behaviors.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
PubMed1996

Dendritic arbor of locus coeruleus neurons contributes to opioid inhibition.

1. The nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is made up of noradrenergic cells all of which are hyperpolarized by opioids. Recent work has shown that the reversal potential of the opioid-induced current is more negative than the potassium equilibrium potential. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the extent of the dendritic field could contribute to the very negative opioid reversal potential. 2. Individual LC cells were labeled in the brain slice preparation. The number of dendrites found on cells in slices sectioned in the horizontal plane was greater than cells in coronal slices. However, the dimensions of the cell body slices from each plane were not significantly different. 3. The resting conductance of neurons from slices cut in the horizontal plane was significantly larger than in cells from coronal plane. 4. The amplitude of the outward current induced by [Met5]-enkephalin (ME) was larger in cells from horizontal slices and the reversal potential was more negative than that of cells in coronal slices. 5. The results show that the plane of section influences the membrane properties and opioid actions of LC neurons in vitro and suggest that these differences correlate with the numbers of dendrites. The results suggest that in vivo, in addition to intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic inputs, the structural makeup of the nucleus is an important factor in determining the activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Forskolin enhancement of opioid currents in rat locus coeruleus neurons.

1. Opioids are known to hyperpolarize all neurons in the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) and to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. Recent work has shown that activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin increased the amplitude of the opioid hyperpolarization in LC cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanism of this augmented hyperpolarization. 2. Agonist-induced currents were studied in LC cells in brain slices using both intracellular and whole cell recordings. Forskolin increased the amplitude of mu-opioid- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated currents by approximately 30% of control measured at -60 mV. This effect of forskolin was dependent on the concentration having a threshold of approximately 1 microM and a peak effect at approximately 30 microM. Dideoxyforskolin (30 microM) caused a small reduction (-52 +/- 28 pA, mean +/- SE) in the amplitude of the opioid current. 3. Forskolin increased the agonist current in the outward direction over the entire potential range between -140 and -50 mV when recordings were made from neurons in cells recorded from slices cut in the horizontal plane. This augmented current produced a shift of the apparent reversal potential to more negative values. 4. Both the forskolin augmentation of the opioid current and the opoid current itself were reduced when the space clamp was improved by cutting the slice in the coronal plane, increasing the extracellular potassium concentration, and treating the slice with carbenoxolone. In addition, forskolin did not change the reversal potential of the opoid current. When expressed as a percentage change from control, forskolin had no significant effect on the opioid current in carbenoxolone (-13 +/- 13%) but produced a small augmentation in high extracellular potassium (15 +/- 4%) and coronoal slices (31 +/- 12%). 5. Two models were tested to explain the action of forskolin, one where cells are coupled electronically by a forskolin-sensitive conductance (coupled-cell model) and a second where opioids mediate an inhibition of a forskolin-induced cation conductance (2-conductance model). The experimental results were fit well only by the coupled-cell model, which predicted that the opioid/forskolin interaction is indirect and occurs primarily in response to forskolin increasing the degree of electrotonic coupling between LC neurons. The consequence of increased coupling would be to augment synchronous activity within the nucleus.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1996

Baclofen inhibition of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current, Ih, in rat substantia nigra zona compacta neurons may be secondary to potassium current activation.

1. The properties of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih), and its modulation by gamma-aminobuturic acid-B (GABAB) receptor activation and protein kinase A, were investigated using whole cell voltage clamp of substantia nigra zona compacta principal neurons in rat midbrain slices in vitro. 2. At 30 degrees C, Ih activated between -75 and -155 mV, with a V1/2 of -115 mV. At 35 degrees C, the activation curve shifted positive by 10 mV. Ih had an estimated reversal potential of -27 mV. Ion substitution experiments showed that the current was carried by Na+ and K+. 3. Application of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (30 microM) induced an outward potassium current (GIRK), increased neuronal membrane conductance and inhibited Ih. The inhibition of Ih was voltage independent. Baclofen induced an 11-mV positive shift in the reversal potential of Ih. 4. Extracellular barium (300 microM) markedly reduced the baclofen-evoked outward current and associated increase in membrane conductance due to GIRK activation. There was also very little inhibition of Ih by baclofen in the presence of barium. When cesium was the major intracellular cation, both the increase in membrane conductance due to GIRK activation and the inhibition of Ih evoked by baclofen were reduced by a similar extent. 5. Neither forskolin (10 microM) nor the protein kinase A inhibitor, H89 (10 microM), had any effect on Ih or its inhibition by baclofen. 6. These data suggest that the inhibition of Ih by baclofen is secondary to the activation of GIRK, i.e., due directly to alteration of membrane conductance, rather than a distinct effect, and is not mediated by inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1995

Inhibition by 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline in substantia gelatinosa of guinea-pig spinal trigeminal nucleus.

1. Whole-cell and intracellular recordings were made from neurons in slices of guinea-pig spinal trigeminal nucleus pars caudalis. 2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) hyperpolarized 70% of neurons by activating 5-HT1A receptors. The effect was mimicked by 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) and (+/-)-2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT) and antagonized by 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)-butyl]-piperazine hydrobromide (NAN 190) and pindobind-5-HT1A. Nine per cent of the neurons were depolarized by 5-HT. 3. In about 20% of recordings, 5-HT also evoked repetitive inhibitory postsynaptic potentials that were mediated by glycine. 4. Noradrenaline (NA) hyperpolarized 71% of neurons. This effect was mediated by activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors, since 5-bromo-N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-6-quinoxalinamine (UK14304) also caused a hyperpolarization and idazoxan (1 microM) blocked the hyperpolarization to both NA and UK14304. Phenylephrine depolarized a subset of neurons and this depolarization was blocked by prazosin, suggesting an action mediated by activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. 5. NA also evoked repetitive GABAA-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in about 20% of recordings. The increase in synaptic activity was mimicked by phenylephrine and blocked by prazosin. 6. These results indicate that there are at least two mechanisms through which 5-HT and NA inhibit neurons: (i) in many cells both 5-HT and NA mediate a hyperpolarization through an increase of a potassium conductance; (ii) 5-HT and NA also activated GABA- and glycine-containing interneurons to cause IPSPs in separate groups of cells.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Opposing roles for dopamine and serotonin at presynaptic receptors in the ventral tegmental area.

1. Dopamine D1 and 5HT1D receptors are found on the terminals of afferent GABA neurons that synapse on the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons. The role of these receptors in the actions of cocaine was investigated using intracellular recordings in a brain slice preparation. Synaptic potentials were generated in the slice and GABA-mediated inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (IPSP) were identified. 2. Stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors selectively enhanced the GABAB IPSP, and their effect was blocked by D1 antagonists. The magnitude of the IPSP was decreased when D1 antagonists were applied in isolation, suggesting tonic D1 receptor stimulation via dendritically released dopamine. 3. Cocaine had an opposite effect and selectively decreased the magnitude of GABAB IPSP. This action was mimicked by 5HT and the 5HT1D agonist sumatriptan, and attenuated by the 5HT1D/2C antagonist, metergoline. The action of cocaine was also mimicked by the 5HT-releasing agent, fenfluramine, and blocked by pre-incubation of the slice with the 5HT-depleting agent, para-chloroamphetamine. 4. The results of this study suggest that dopamine and 5HT have opposing roles in modulating GABA input into VTA dopamine neurons. The actions of cocaine on this interplay may have implications for understanding its addictive properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of acute homologous desensitization of mu-opioid receptor-induced currents in locus coeruleus neurones.

1. Acute homologous desensitization of mu-opioid receptor-induced currents was pharmacologically characterized in locus coeruleus (LC) neurones by use of intracellular and whole cell recording in superfused brain slices. 2. Following desensitization of opioid receptors by perfusion with a high concentration of [Met5] enkephalin (ME) for 5 min, there was a reduction in the maximum response and a rightward shift of the concentration-response curves for ME, [D-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO) and normorphine. 3. By simultaneously fitting the operational model to the paired pre- and post-desensitization concentration-response data for each agonist, estimates of the level of desensitization were obtained. The values obtained for the three agonists (between 88% and 96%) were similar and did not vary according to the efficacy of the agonist used. 4. Use of whole cell patch recording techniques caused a slow rundown in the amplitude of ME currents (approx. 40% reduction over 60 min) but did not greatly affect the expression of acute desensitization of opioid currents. 5. When included in the patch recording solution, the phosphatase inhibitors, microcystin (50 nM-4 microM) and okadaic acid (1 microM) had no effect on the induction of desensitization or the normal ability of opioid or alpha 2-adrenoceptors to produce currents. Microcystin decreased the rate of recovery of the ME (300 nM) currents following desensitization; however, okadaic acid had little effect on the rate of recovery from desensitization. 6. Strong calcium buffering with BAPTA (10-20 mM) had no effect on desensitization or the recovery from desensitization. 6. Strong calcium buffering with BAPTA (10-20 mM) had no effect on desensitization or the recovery from desensitization.7 These results suggest that acute homologous desensitization of micro-opioid receptors in LC neurones entails a rapid loss of responsiveness that involves a majority of the receptor population. The mechanism by which desensitization is reversed may involve a non-calcium-dependent protein phosphatase but the processess that cause desensitization remain unclear.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cocaine prolongs norepinephrine synaptic potentials in rat dorsal raphe.

1. The effect of cocaine on the excitatory response to norepinephrine (NE) was investigated with the use of intracellular recording from rat dorsal raphe (DR) neurons in the slice preparation. 2. Focal stimulation evoked a slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (sEPSP) that was mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptor activation. The sEPSP was studied in isolation with the use of a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, pindobind 5HT1A, which eliminated the inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) that preceded the sEPSP. The sEPSP had a latency to peak of 6 s, a peak amplitude of 6 mV, and a time constant of decay (t) of 14 s. 3. Bath application of cocaine more than doubled the latency-to-peak (13 s) and the time constant of decay (29 s) and had no effect on the amplitude. 4. Iontophoretically applied NE produced a membrane potential depolarization with an amplitude and time course similar to the sEPSP (latency-to-peak = 10 s; peak amplitude = 5 mV; t = 20 s). Cocaine significantly increased the latency-to-peak and the time constant of decay of the depolarization induced by iontophoretically applied NE. 5. Superfusion with NE caused a concentration-dependent depolarization. Cocaine (1 microM) did not change the concentration response to NE. 6. These results suggest that cocaine enhances the excitatory action of NE in the dorsal raphe by a prolongation of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated sEPSP.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Opioid inhibition in locus coeruleus.

1. Inhibition of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons by opioids is mediated by hyperpolarization associated with an increase in potassium conductance. However, opioids caused an outward current even at potentials more negative than the potassium equilibrium potential in the majority of LC neurons recorded in brain slices cut in the horizontal plane. 2. Whole cell and intracellular recording were made from LC neurons in the slice preparation and currents were measured with a switch clamp amplifier. 3. Local application of [Met]5enkephalin (ME) by iontophoresis resulted in two different effects depending on the site of application. Iontophoresis of ME close to the cell caused an outward current that reversed polarity near the potassium equilibrium potential. Whereas application at a distance > 200 microns resulted in an outward current that did not reverse polarity even at strongly negative potentials. 4. When potassium conductances were blocked with internal Cs and/or external Ba, the opioid current was reduced to < 15% of control. 5. Low sodium solutions were used to reduce sodium-dependent conductances. These solutions hyperpolarized LC neurons themselves, decreased outward currents caused by ME, and shifted the reversal potential of the ME induced current to less negative values. 6. Electrotonic coupling of LC neurons in neonatal animals is thought to synchronize spontaneous activity. In this study, synchronous activity in cells from adult animals also was observed, suggesting that electrotonic coupling in the LC persists into adulthood. 7. Carbenoxolone, an agent thought to block electrotonic coupling, had no effect on the action potential, spontaneous activity, or the resting conductance but blocked electrotonic coupling between LC neurons in neonates, blocked synchronous activity in LC neurons from adult animals, and shifted the reversal potential of the opioid current to the potassium equilibrium potential. 8. All results are consistent with the hypothesis that LC cells are electrotonically coupled. Such electrotonic coupling at the level of the nucleus locus coeruleus would mediate synchronous regulation of noradrenaline in widespread areas of the brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The serotonergic inhibitory postsynaptic potential in prepositus hypoglossi is mediated by two potassium currents.

Synaptic inhibition mediated by the activation of potassium channels has been reported from several types of neurons. In each case, despite mediation by different neurotransmitters, the K+ conductance underlying the synaptic potential is activated by a G protein and inwardly rectifies. We report here a second K+ current that contributes to synaptic inhibition. Intracellular recordings were made from guinea pig nucleus prepositus hypoglossi in vitro, where we have described a 5-HT-mediated IPSP. Voltage-clamp analysis of the current induced by applied 5-HT revealed two separate conductances: an inwardly rectifying, rapidly activating K+ current (IIR) and an outwardly rectifying, slowly activating K+ current (IOR). IIR was blocked by extracellular Ba2+ (200 microM) and TEA+ (126 mM). IOR was insensitive to this concentration of Ba2+ and TEA+, but was inhibited by Cd2+ and intracellular BAPTA, indicating Ca dependence. Single focal electrical stimuli evoked a 5-HT-mediated IPSP, or under voltage clamp, an inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC). Ba2+ blocked only a component of this IPSC, which corresponded to the current caused by IIR. When multiple stimuli were applied (to prolong the release of transmitter), the time-dependent current IOR was more fully activated, resulting in an augmentation of the IPSC. We conclude that the IPSC is caused by both currents and that its amplitude can be modulated by the degree to which IOR is activated. This represents a mechanism by which synaptic responses can be potentiated.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Alpha 1-adrenoceptors in rat dorsal raphe neurons: regulation of two potassium conductances.

1. alpha 1-Adrenoceptor activation caused two separate effects in rat dorsal raphe neurons: a depolarization and an increase in the duration of the after-hyperpolarization following the action potential. The depolarization often resulted in repetitive action potentials. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists prazosin and WB 4101 blocked the depolarization induced by phenylephrine. The concentration-response curve to phenylephrine was shifted to the right by WB 4101. 2. Under voltage clamp, alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists caused an inward current at -60 mV, which often became smaller at negative potentials but rarely reversed polarity even at strongly negative potentials. Using whole-cell recording, the inward current reversed polarity at the equilibrium potential for potassium in the majority of cells. Intracellular Cs+ decreased or abolished the alpha 1-mediated inward current. The inward current was dependent on external calcium, but not on the degree of internal calcium buffering. Removal of external calcium or addition of MgCl2, CoCl2 or CdCl2 reduced or blocked the effects of alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists. Barium and strontium supported and even augmented the inward current induced by alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists, whereas nifedipine and omega-conous toxin had no effect. In contrast, internal dialysis with the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N'N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) did not inhibit the inward current. 3. The alpha 1-induced depolarization was blocked (or occluded) by the inclusion of GTP-gamma-S (100 microM) in the recording pipette. The phorbol-ester 4-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) had no action on the membrane potential and depressed the phenylephrine-induced depolarization. This depression was reversed by the non-selective protein kinase inhibitor staurosporin. 4. Phenylephrine and noradrenaline increased a late component of the after-hyperpolarization (late-AHP) that followed a single action potential. The alpha 1-sensitive late-AHP was blocked by apamine suggesting that it is a calcium-dependent potassium conductance. 5. Thapsigargin reduced the duration of the late-AHP and blocked the phenylephrine-mediated prolongation. Caffeine also augmented the late-AHP and ryanodine blocked the augmentation induced by caffeine. The augmentation induced by phenylephrine was not occluded by caffeine and was still present after the caffeine-induced augmentation was blocked by ryanodine. 6. In slices pretreated with manoalide the depolarization induced by alpha 1-agonists was not changed; however, the late-AHP was reduced in duration and the alpha 1-receptor-mediated augmentation of the late-AHP was decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of a putative member of the rat opioid receptor gene family that is not a mu, delta or kappa opioid receptor type.

A novel G protein-coupled receptor was cloned by PCR and homology screening. Its deduced amino acid sequence is 47% identical overall to the mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors and 64% identical in the putative transmembrane domains. When transiently expressed in COS-7 cells this receptor did not bind any of the typical mu, delta or kappa opioid receptor ligands with high affinity. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that LC132 mRNA is highly expressed in several rat brain areas, including the cerebral cortex, thalamus, subfornical organ, habenula, hypothalamus, central gray, dorsal raphe, locus coeruleus and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Based on this distribution and its high homology with the mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors, it is proposed that LC132 is a new member of the opioid receptor family that is involved in analgesia and the perception of pain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Opioid inhibition of Ih via adenylyl cyclase.

Opioids are coupled through G proteins to both ion channels and adenylyl cyclase. This study describes opioid modulation of the voltage-dependent cation channel, Ih, in cultured guinea pig nodose ganglion neurons. Forskolin, PGE2, and cAMP analogs shifted the voltage dependence of activation of Ih to more depolarized potentials and increased the inward current at -60 mV. Opioids had no effect on Ih alone, but reversed the effect of forskolin on Ih. This action of opioids was blocked by naloxone. Opioids had no effect on Ih in the presence of cAMP analogs, suggesting that modulation occurs at the level of adenylyl cyclase. The shift in the voltage dependence of Ih by agents that induce inflammation (i.e., PGE2) is one potential mechanism to mediate an increased excitability. Opioid inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and subsequent inhibition of Ih may be a mechanism by which opioids inhibit primary afferent excitability and relieve pain.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗