Skip to main content
. 2014 Mar 11;9(3):e91393. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091393

Figure 6. mRNA expression of spinal ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors following GR-agonist/antagonist administration and CCI.

Figure 6

The relative mRNA expression levels of (A) the metabotropic receptor mGluR5, (B) the subunit NR1 and (C) the subunit NR2a of the ionotropic NMDA receptor were measured in the right spinal cord segment L4/L5 at days four and 21 after CCI surgery in three groups of rats receiving daily injections of either dexamethasone (DEX), RU-486 (RU), or vehicle (CON). Early after CCI the mGluR5 mRNA was significantly upregulated by GR activation and inhibition, whereas the NR1 subunit was significantly upregulated only in the DEX group. For both receptors no change from control was seen in the late phase of neuropathy. On the other hand, the NR2a mRNA was not altered in acute conditions but downregulated at 21 days in the RU group treated with the GR antagonist. Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m. *p<0.05.