When female rats had their ovaries removed, the difference disappeared, pointing to a hormonal connection…reports Asian Lite News
Neurons in the spinal cord process pain signals differently in women compared to men, suggests a study.
The finding, published in the journal BRAIN, could lead to better and more personalised treatments for chronic pain, which are desperately needed, especially in light of the opioid epidemic.
Women are disproportionately impacted by the burden of chronic pain. They are more likely than men to report low back pain, neck pain, orofacial pain and neuropathic pain, and twice as many women report common migraines or headaches.
But to date, most research on pain was conducted on male rodents.
The new study led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital in Canada, however, used female and male spinal cord tissue from both rats and humans (generously donated by deceased individuals and their families).
By examining the spinal cord tissue in the laboratory, the researchers were able to show that a neuronal growth factor called BDNF plays a major role in amplifying spinal cord pain signalling in male humans and male rats, but not in female humans or female rats.
When female rats had their ovaries removed, the difference disappeared, pointing to a hormonal connection.
“Developing new pain drugs requires a detailed understanding of how pain is processed at the biological level,” said Dr. Annemarie Dedek, lead author of the study.
“This new discovery lays the foundation for the development of new treatments to help those suffering from chronic pain.”
This is the first time a sex-related difference in pain signalling has been identified in human spinal cord tissue.
Future studies are required to understand how this biological difference may contribute to differences in pain sensation between men and women, the researchers said.
Despite the best of the efforts by the attending medical team, Kumar could not be revived from his irretrievable condition and was declared brain dead on August 17…reports Asian Lite News.
Two donor families displayed exemplary magnanimity amid the tragedy of losing their loved ones and kindled hope in critical eight patients with the transplantation of four kidneys and four corneas at the PGI Hospital here, doctors said on Friday.
“We are overwhelmed by their spirit of giving of the donor families and hope their generous gesture inspires others and makes them realize that death is not the end of things, people can live on through others, through this noble cause of organ donation,” said Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Director Jagat Ram said.
Ashwani Kumar (54) a resident of Kaithal in Haryana met with a road accident in his town on August 14 and was taken to the Civil Hospital there. As his condition worsened, Kumar was rushed to the PGIMER on the same day.
Despite the best of the efforts by the attending medical team, Kumar could not be revived from his irretrievable condition and was declared brain dead on August 17.
When doctors informed the family that their dear one did not pull through, the family knew they didn’t want Kumar’s death to be in vain. Being fairly clued about the concept and having already pledged for organ donation, the grief-stricken but resolute family consented for organ donation.
Anita, the wife of Kumar, showcased unparalleled courage amid her own tragedy as she said, “It’s something no family should have to go through. We said ‘yes’ to organ donation because it is far better to give someone a new life than reducing these organs to ashes.
“That’s why despite the heartache that we are going through, we knew it was the right thing to do.”
Reflecting on the case, H.S. Kohli, Head of the Department of Nephrology, said, “Following the family’s decision, the two best matching recipients who were suffering from end-stage debilitating kidney ailment and dependent on renal dialysis for long, were identified and retrieved kidneys were transplanted to them giving them second chance at life.
“Looking at the kidney waiting list which is getting lengthier with passing time, yes by any donor family like that of Ashwani Kumar creates a perceptible difference between life and death for end stage kidney failure patients.”
Apart from the kidneys, the corneas of the donors were also harvested, which on transplantation, restored the eyesight of two other patients here at the PGIMER.
Earlier on August 9, a young and promising life was mercilessly cut short by a speeding vehicle, causing fatal head injuries.
After the mishap, the youth aged 28 years from Punjab was immediately rushed to a local hospital and then on being referred to the PGIMER, was shifted here on August 10.
As the ill-luck would have it, all the efforts to save the young man proved futile and after three days of struggle between life and death; he was declared brain-dead on August 13.
Then, the transplant coordinators at the PGIMER counseled the family about organ donation for which the family consented, braving their own grave tragedy. With the family’s generous decision, four lives were impacted with the transplantation of two kidneys and two corneas here at the PGIMER.
The grieving mother, who wanted to keep the identity anonymous due to her personal sentiments, said, “We would just want people to know about the cause, we have done it so that our son can relive through others. We have done it for our own peace and solace.”
Endorsing the need for public awareness for the cause to save precious lives, Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North), PGIMER, said, “The gift of life that has been given by these two donor families conveys much about our capacity for great compassion and generosity. This cause needs to be taken seriously as anyone can suffer from organ failure.”
