Abstract
Cannabinoids and opioids interact in the control of nociception at the spinal level. Likely, several mechanisms are involved, with one of them being co-localization of cannabinoid and opioid receptors. In order to validate this hypothesis, a double labeling study of CB1 cannabinoid receptors and mu-opioid receptors in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord was performed. A strong co-localization of CB1 and mu-opioid receptors was observed in lamina II interneurons at the ultrastructural level. The physiological consequences of the co-localization are discussed.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cannabinoids / metabolism
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Dendrites / metabolism
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Dendrites / ultrastructure
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Immunohistochemistry
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Interneurons / metabolism
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Interneurons / ultrastructure
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Male
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Microscopy, Electron
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Nociceptors / metabolism*
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Nociceptors / ultrastructure
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Opioid Peptides / metabolism
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Organelles / metabolism
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Organelles / ultrastructure
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Pain / metabolism*
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Pain / physiopathology
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Posterior Horn Cells / metabolism*
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Posterior Horn Cells / ultrastructure
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Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism
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Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Receptors, Cannabinoid
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Receptors, Drug / metabolism*
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Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism*
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Synaptic Membranes / metabolism*
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Synaptic Membranes / ultrastructure
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
Substances
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Cannabinoids
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Opioid Peptides
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Receptors, Cannabinoid
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Receptors, Drug
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Receptors, Opioid, mu