Consequently, understanding the mechanisms mediating neurotransmitter release could be important in the treatment of inflammation and pain. Indeed, a major component of the inflammatory actions of eicosanoids appears to be neurogenic in origin. Experiments are designed to determine the trans-duction cascades that mediate the eicosanoid effects on sensory neurons and to determine the targets for phosphorylation or dephosphorylation after activation of various transduction cascades. Activation of protein kinase C augments peptide release from rat sensory neurons. Peptidase inhibitors improve recovery of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide release from rat spinal cord slices.
Prostaglandins suppress an outward potassium current in embryonic rat sensory neurons.