Changes Of Expression Of VGluT1 And CGRP In The Rat Trigeminal Complex After Mandibular Nerve Transection

As the bridge between central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral receptor or effector, peripheral nerve plays an important role in neurotransmission and neurotrophy. It can easily be damaged by trauma, compression and ischemia owing to its extensive distribution. It has been proved by previous studies that peripheral nerve injury can induce a series of changes of expression of some neural active material and their receptors either in the somata or in the terminals of the damaged primary afferent neurons and motoneurons. These changes may reflect a re-ordering of metabolic priorities so that the synthesis of trophic factors or growth-associated proteins augmented while that of neurotransmitter-related proteins decreased. Meanwhile there is accompanied perineuronal glial reaction or gliosis. All above changes can be regarded as adaptive reactions performed by the neurons to the damage.Glutamate (Glu) is an important neurotransmitter in the primary afferent fibers. After synthesized within the neuron, it must be transported into the synaptic vesicles by vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT) and then accomplish synaptic transmission through exocytosis. At present, three kinds of VGluT including VGluT1, VGluT2 and VGluT3 have been identified and they have been considered to be the specific markers for glutamatergic...