Increased VGLUT3 involved in visceral hyperalgesia in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome

Figure 1 Distension volumes needed to reach an abdominal withdrawal reflex score of 3. Mean ± SE, n = 6; ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs control group. Con: Control group; PI: Post-infection; ACRS: Acute cold restraint stress; P + A: PI + ACRS group; AWR: Abdominal withdrawal reflex.

Figure 2 Coexpression of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 and 5-hydroxytryptamine in L6S1 dorsal root ganglions. A: Vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3) positive cells; B: 5-hydroxytryptamine positive cells; C: Merged images of A and B. Scale bar: 100 μm.

Figure 3 Coexpression of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 and c-fos in the L6S1 spinal dorsal horn. A: Vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3)-positive cells; B: C-fos-positive cells; C: Merged images of A and B. Scale bar: 100 μm.

Figure 4 Expression of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 in L6S1 dorsal root ganglions neurons in rats with colorectal distension. A: Representative immunofluorescence images of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3) immunoreactivity (ir)-positive neurons in L6S1 dorsal root ganglions (DRGs); B: Cell nuclei staining in DRGs; C: Merged images of A and B. Scare bar: 100 μm.

Figure 5 Expression of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 protein in L6S1 dorsal root ganglions neurons in +/+ and Ws/Ws rats. A: Representative western blotting for VGLUT3 in L6S1 DRG extracts; B: Quantitative analysis of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3) protein. Data are expressed as normalized density to β-actin. ^bP < 0.01 vs control group.

Figure 6 Representative immunofluorescence images of vesicular glutamate transporter-3-ir positive neurons in different brain regions. A: Prefrontal cortex; B: Raphé nuclei; C: Striatum; D: Hippocampus; E: Quantification of vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3)-3-ir labeling intensity in the different regions of the brain. ^aP < 0.05. Original magnification, A-D: × 200.