Ailing Li

Graduation Semester and Year

2011

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Yuan Bo Peng

Abstract

Neurogenic inflammation is caused by the inflammatory substances released from the peripheral terminals of afferent fibers. Vasodilation is one of the cardinal signs of neurogenic inflammation. It is thought that neurogenic inflammation is closely related with dorsal root reflex (DRR). DRRs are the antidromic action potentials that can be elicited by noxious stimuli and promote the release of inflammatory substances from the nerve terminals to facilitate neurogenic inflammation, like increase of the vasodilation. Some studies have proved that DRR can propagate bilaterally after being induced unilaterally. However, in our previous studies, we didn't observe significant increase of contralateral blood perfusion, which was supposed to be caused by contralateral propagation of DRRs, after ipsilateral chemical or electrical stimulation. In this study, I investigated whether this contralateral DRRs effect was masked by competitive sympathetic vasoconstriction. The results indicated that activation of sympathetic preganglionic fiber by stimulating L4 ventral root had vasoconstriction effect. The blood perfusion of bilateral hind paws decreased at the electrical stimulation. Blood perfusion of ipsilateral hind paw significantly increased after capsaicin injection. There was no significant increase in the blood perfusion for contralateral hind paw, in contrast, the blood perfusion tended to decrease at the moment of capsaicin injection. There was no difference between the sympathectomized and sham groups. In conclusion, the contralateral DRR effect was not masked by sympathetic vasoconstriction. The contralateral DRR is too weak by itself to induce any changes in the blood perfusion.

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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