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Background: Although the activation-induced intracellular Ca2 signal is disrupted by sensory neuron injury, the contribution of specific Ca2 channel subtypes is unknown.

Methods: Transients in dissociated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons were recorded using fura-2 microfluorometry. Neurons from control rats and from neuropathic animals after spinal nerve ligation were activated either by elevated bath K or by field stimulation. Transients were compared before and after application of selective blockers of voltage-activated Ca2 channel subtypes.

Results: Transient amplitude and area were decreased by blockade of the L-type channel, particularly during sustained K stimulation. Significant contributions to the Ca2 transient are attributable to the N-, P/Q-, and R-type channels, especially in small neurons. Results for T-type blockade varied widely between cells. After injury, transients lost sensitivity to N-type and R-type blockers in axotomized small neurons, whereas adjacent small neurons showed decreased responses to blockers of R-type channels. Axotomized large neurons were less sensitive to blockade of N- and P/Q-type channels. After injury, neurons adjacent to axotomy show decreased sensitivity of K -induced transients to L-type blockade but increased sensitivity during field stimulation.

Conclusions: All high-voltage-activated Ca2 current subtypes contribute to Ca2 transients in sensory neurons, although the L-type channel contributes predominantly during prolonged activation. Injury shifts the relative contribution of various Ca2 channel subtypes to the intracellular Ca2 transient induced by neuronal activation. Because this effect is cell-size specific, selective therapies might potentially be devised to differentially alter excitability of nociceptive and low-threshold sensory neurons.

(C) 2007 American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc.