The effect of fentanyl on c-fos expression in the trigeminal brainstem complex produced by pulpal heat stimulation in the ferret

We have previously shown that Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) is evoked in the brainstem of ferrets following stimulation of pulpal A delta and C fibers originating from the maxillary canine. This study evaluated the effects of the mu-opioid receptor agonist fentanyl on Fos expression evoked by noxious thermal stimulation of the right maxillary and mandibular canines in pentobarbital/chloral hydrate anesthetized adult male ferrets. Pulpal heating evoked Fos expression in two distinct regions of the spinal trigeminal nuclear complex: the transitional region between subnucleus interpolaris and caudalis (Vi/Vc) and within the subnucleus caudalis (Vc). More Fos positive cells were expressed in both regions ipsilateral to the site of stimulation compared with the contralateral side (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Pretreatment with fentanyl significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the number of Fos positive cells in both the Vi/Vc transitional region and Vc (P < 0.05, ANOVA). The suppressive effect of fentanyl on Fos expression was blocked by the intravenous administration of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, indicating a specific opioid receptor effect. In addition, opioid receptor antagonism with naloxone alone enhanced Fos expression in Vi/Vc and Vc in response to heat stimulation. The administration of naloxone without heat stimulation failed to evoke Fos expression in Vi/Vc and Vc. These findings suggest that the activation of trigeminal Vi/Vc and Vc neurons by noxious dental heat stimulation is controlled by a naloxone sensitive endogenous opioid system as indicated by Fos expression. Collectively, these results suggest that neuronal populations in Vi/Vc and Vc regions may contribute to pain responses to noxious dental stimulation and these responses can be modulated by both endogenous and exogenous opioids. (C) 1999 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.