生理学报最新文献

{"title":"[Various models of itch induction and their relationship to pain sensitivity].","authors":"Xiao-Ran Ding, Xiu-Yi Han, Hong-Wei Sun, Ya-Zhuo Kong","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pruritus, a complex multidimensional sensation accompanying diverse dermatological and systemic disorders, affects a substantial global population. Nevertheless, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying chronic pruritus remain incompletely understood. Standardized experimental paradigms for inducing pruritus are essential for establishing a foundational understanding of chronic pruritus. This study aimed to develop a standardized laboratory protocol for pruritus induction, investigate the relationships between sensitivities to different pruritus modalities, and explore the associations of pruritus sensitivities with pain sensitivity and other somatosensory sensitivities, thereby exploring the potential neural mechanisms. This work recruited 124 healthy participants and employed three validated pruritus induction paradigms: mechanical stimulation via calibrated feather brushing, chemical stimulation via epicutaneous application of 1% histamine dihydrochloride solution, and electrically evoked pruritus using high-frequency, low-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Concurrent Quantitative Somatosensory Testing assessed subjective itch intensity and its correlation with other somatosensory profiles. All three paradigms effectively evoked significant pruritic sensations. Critically, no statistically significant differences were observed in subjective intensity ratings across the induction methods. Correlational analysis revealed significant positive associations between intensities evoked by feather brushing and histamine application, and between feather brushing and electrical stimulation. However, no significant correlation was found between histamine-evoked and electrically evoked itch intensities. This dissociation suggests both shared and distinct neural substrates mediate processing of different pruritus modalities. Furthermore, the study identified complex interactions between pruritus and other somatosensory modalities. Feather-evoked mechanical itch intensity demonstrated a significant negative correlation with mechanical pain thresholds. Similarly, histamine-evoked chemical itch intensity showed a significant negative correlation with heat pain threshold as well as heat pain tolerance thresholds. This work establishes a rigorous methodological foundation for future mechanistic research into pruritus and facilitates the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. The established paradigm in this study can serve as a core tool for objectively assessing an individual's itch sensitivity, deepen the understanding of itch perception, and act as an objective indicator for evaluating the progression of chronic itch disorders and the efficacy of their treatment in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"78 1","pages":"221-232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Single-nucleus transcriptome of the gracile nucleus reveals multi-modular complex functional genes in excitatory projection neurons].","authors":"Ting Si, Qing-Jian Han","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The gracile nucleus (GR), conventionally regarded as a primary relay in the ascending somatosensory pathway, plays a pivotal role in processing fine-touch, vibration, and proprioceptive information originating from the lower body. The fidelity of this processing is fundamental to sensory perception and motor coordination. We employed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to establish a high-resolution, comprehensive transcriptomic atlas of the adult mouse GR. We systematically dissected the cellular architecture of the GR. Our analysis delineated all major neuronal and non-neuronal populations, and revealed a rich diversity of excitatory projection neuron subtypes, each characterized by a unique transcriptomic signature and a distinct spatial organization. Functional gene enrichment analysis unveiled a striking dichotomy in the roles of these subtypes. We identified a cohort of \"conduction-type\" neurons, specialized for the rapid and high-fidelity transmission of core somatosensory information, thereby preserving the integrity of the somatosensory map. In contrast, a second cohort of \"modulatory-type\" neurons demonstrated enriched expression of a diverse repertoire of neuropeptides, including somatostatin and cholecystokinin. These neurons are positioned to exert state-dependent modulation over the principal sensory pathways, fine-tuning information throughput in response to behavioral context or internal states such as arousal and attention. Notably, our findings reveal that these excitatory neurons do not exist as discrete, static populations. Instead, they are organized along a continuous transcriptional spectrum, which appears to represent a trajectory of sensory learning and adaptation. One pole of this continuum, representing an \"adapted\" state, exhibited significant enrichment of activity-dependent immediate-early genes integral to synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, such as <i>Fos</i>, <i>Arc</i>, and <i>Npas4</i>. By elucidating this intricate cellular architecture and intrinsic plasticity, our study provides novel insights into information processing within the somatosensory system and offers a valuable resource for investigating the pathophysiology of related disorders, including chronic pain and sensory neuropathies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"78 1","pages":"207-220"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Advances in the study of the regulation and mechanism of purinergic P2X receptors in visceral pain].","authors":"Hao-Bo Zhang, Jing Lei, Hao-Jun You","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Visceral pain (VP) refers to pathological pain originating from the thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic regions. Characterized by poor localization and prolonged duration, VP significantly impacts the physical and mental health of patients. Unlike somatic pain, the neural pathways involved in visceral sensation are complex and the pathogenic factors are diverse, leading to incomplete understanding of the production and neural regulation mechanism of VP. Recent studies have identified widespread expression of P2X receptors across multiple systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems, and have demonstrated their important role in pain perception and modulation. Evidence suggests that aberrant purinergic signaling plays a critical role in the development and progression of VP, indicating that purinergic signal transduction has emerged as a potential novel therapeutic target for VP-related disorders. This review summarizes current advances in the regulatory mechanisms mediated by the P2X receptor family in VP, aiming to provide new insights for clinical management of VP.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"78 1","pages":"123-134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147347146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Neuroimmune mechanisms of lipocalin 2 in mediating chronic pain and itch].","authors":"Xia-Lin Cui, Shi-Yu Sun, Jun-Yi Ma, Guo-Kun Zhou, Tong Liu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a member of the lipocalin superfamily, is expressed and secreted by various cells and functions as a transport protein for lipophilic small molecules such as steroids, lipopolysaccharides, iron and fatty acids. LCN2 plays a significant role in pain modulation, particularly in the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain and chronic neuropathic pain. Its mechanisms involve the regulation of neuroinflammation and the modulation of neuron-glia interactions. LCN2 also demonstrates notable effects in itch regulation, where it binds to specific receptors and activates downstream signaling pathways, contributing to the induction and persistence of chronic itch. This review summarizes recent advances in the fundamental research on LCN2 in the regulation of chronic pain and itch, and discusses its potential value as a therapeutic target, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for developing novel treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"78 1","pages":"57-70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Clinical manifestations and pathological mechanisms of central post-stroke pain at different lesion sites].","authors":"Xiao-Li Chen, Jing Lei, Hao-Jun You","doi":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0088","DOIUrl":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Central post-stroke pain (CPSP), a common sequela of stroke, is a type of central neuropathic pain characterized by spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia, which significantly hinders post-stroke rehabilitation. The pathophysiology of CPSP is complex, involving functional abnormalities in multiple neural pathways. Core mechanisms include central sensitization, central disinhibition, neuroglial overactivation, and neurotransmitter imbalances, all of which are associated with neuroinflammation and ion channel dysregulation. This review systematically summarizes the clinical manifestations and molecular mechanisms of CPSP induced by stroke lesions in different brain regions (brainstem, thalamus, and cortex), with a focus on maladaptive reorganization of pain pathways, neuroglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and ion channel modulation. The aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for targeted interventions in CPSP and explore potential therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"77 6","pages":"1023-1034"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145802936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Research progress on the role of dopamine system in regulating hippocampal related brain functions].","authors":"Jing Ren, Wei-Yi Mo, Ling Wang, Guang-Jian Ni, Jia-Jia Yang","doi":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13294/j.aps.2025.0055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dopamine, as a catecholamine neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central nervous system, is involved in physiological functions such as motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and movement through various dopamine signaling pathways. The hippocampus receives dopaminergic neuron projections from regions such as the ventral tegmental area, locus coeruleus, and substantia nigra. Through D1-like and D2-like receptors, dopamine exerts significant regulatory effects such as spatial navigation, episodic memory, fear, anxiety, and reward. This review mainly summarizes the research progress on the functions of dopamine in the hippocampus from aspects including the sources of dopamine, receptor distribution and function, and the association of hippocampal dopamine system dysregulation with neurodegenerative diseases. The aim is to provide insights into the involvement of the dopamine system in hippocampal functions and the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"77 5","pages":"893-904"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Potential regulatory role of macrophages in discogenic pain].","authors":"Fei Sun, Yu Sun, En-Xu Liu, Lei Yang, Zhao-Yong Li, Shao-Feng Yang","doi":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13294/j.aps.2025.0054","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of low back pain. Immune cells play an extremely important role in regulating the progression of IDD by interacting with nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Healthy NP tissue is a vascular-free and immune-privileged tissue that does not normally interact with macrophages. However, the establishment of neovascularization channels in damaged intervertebral discs has led to extensive cross-talk between NP and macrophages, with different results depending on microenvironmental stimuli. Based on this, this review reviewed the correlation between IDD and low back pain, summarized the source and function of macrophages, and discussed the possible regulatory mechanism between macrophages and discogenic pain. Finally, potential therapies targeting macrophages to delay IDD in recent years were also discussed, aiming to emphasize the important role of immunology in IDD and provide a new direction for the prevention and treatment of IDD.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"77 5","pages":"979-988"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[The impact of glycemic variability on diabetic complications and related mechanisms].","authors":"Jing-Yi Liu, Qi An, Si-Qi Zhang, Biao Yang, Ya-Qiong Li","doi":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13294/j.aps.2025.0081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health issue, with glycated hemoglobin levels serving as the gold standard for evaluating glucose level control in DM patients. However, it has limitations in reflecting glucose oscillations (i.e. glycemic variability, GV). Increasing evidence suggests that GV is closely related to the progression of diabetes complications and patient prognosis. As people realize the importance of avoiding hypoglycemia while achieving target glycated hemoglobin levels in treatment, the clinical significance of GV becomes more obvious. This article systematically reviewed the concept and connotation of GV, summarized the latest research on its role in the complications of diabetes, and revealed the biochemical and pathophysiological abnormalities caused by excessive glycemic oscillation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the risk warning and early intervention of DM patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"77 5","pages":"925-938"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Research progress on the role of extracellular vesicles in the repair of skeletal muscle membrane injury].","authors":"Yi-Long Liu, Ying Wu","doi":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13294/j.aps.2025.0005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The timely and efficient repair of the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle cells following injury is critical for maintaining cellular function and tissue integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in this process through multi-level mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes the generation, secretion, and multifunctional roles of EVs in the repair of skeletal muscle plasma membrane damage: (1) removing damaged membrane fragments and cellular debris via endocytosis and exocytosis to maintain plasma membrane stability; (2) fusing with the injured plasma membrane to supply essential components for membrane repair and restore membrane integrity; and (3) serving as a vital mediator of intercellular communication, transmitting repair signals, promoting intercellular interactions, and orchestrating multi-level responses to facilitate tissue regeneration and functional recovery. Additionally, this article explores the potential applications of EVs in the treatment of exercise-induced injuries and muscular diseases, aiming to provide theoretical insights and novel strategies for future research and EV-based therapeutic approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"77 5","pages":"956-968"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"[Recent advances in the mechanism of insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated exercise-induced improvement of skeletal muscle atrophy].","authors":"Qian Wang, Yi-Min He, Yu-Mo Dong, Hua-Duo Wu, Yi Zhang, Ning Jiang","doi":"10.13294/j.aps.2025.0085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13294/j.aps.2025.0085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a reduction in both the size and quantity of skeletal muscle fibers, resulting in impaired muscle strength and function. It mainly includes disuse muscle atrophy, aging muscle atrophy, denervated muscle atrophy and muscle atrophy caused by disease <i>etc</i>. As a cost-effective way, exercise has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy, but its mechanism for improving skeletal muscle atrophy remains unclear. Recent studies have indicated that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in improving muscle atrophy through exercise, in addition to promoting the survival of neurons, lowering blood sugar, and anti-inflammation. This article reviews recent findings on the mechanisms by which IGF-1 mediates exercise-induced improvement in skeletal muscle atrophy, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of this disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":7134,"journal":{"name":"生理学报","volume":"77 5","pages":"969-978"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}