Local Synthesis of Estradiol in the Rostral Ventromedial Medulla Protects against Widespread Muscle Pain in Male Mice.

ABSTRACT: Animal studies consistently demonstrate that testosterone is protective against pain in multiple models, including an animal model of activity-induced muscle pain. In this model, females develop widespread muscle hyperalgesia, and reducing testosterone levels in males results in widespread muscle hyperalgesia. Widespread pain is believed to be mediated by changes in the central nervous system, including the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). The enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol, aromatase, is highly expressed in the RVM. Therefore, we hypothesized that testosterone is converted by aromatase to estradiol locally in the RVM to prevent development of widespread muscle hyperalgesia in male mice. This was tested through pharmacological inhibition of estrogen receptors (ERs), arom

SUBMITTER: Plumb AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11360981 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature