N-arachidonyl-glycine modulates synaptic transmission in superficial dorsal horn.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

The arachidonyl-amino acid N-arachidonyl-glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous lipid, generated within the spinal cord and producing spinally mediated analgesia via non-cannabinoid mechanisms. In this study we examined the actions of NAGly on neurons within the superficial dorsal horn, a key site for the actions of many analgesic agents.

Experimental approach

Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from lamina II neurons in rat spinal cord slices to examine the effect of NAGly on glycinergic and NMDA-mediated synaptic transmission.

Key results

N-arachidonyl-glycine prolonged the decay of glycine, but not β-alanine induced inward currents and decreased the amplitude of currents induced by both glycine and β-alanine. NAGly and ALX-1393 (inhibitor o

SUBMITTER: Jeong HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2992905 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature