DORSAL COLUMN LESIONS REVERSE THE REDUCTION OF HOMECAGE ACTIVITY IN RATS WITH PANCREATITIS

A MIDLINE dorsal column (DC) lesion has been shown to be an effective surgical treatment for the relief of pelvic visceral pain in patients. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a DC lesion for the relief of pancreatitis pain in awake rats. Homecage activity was measured in rats with pancreatitis or sham surgery. Pancreatitis w as induced by infusion of glycodeoxycholic acid (10 mM) into the pancr eas and intraperitoneal injection of caerulian (72 mu g). Homecage act ivity was also measured in rats with pancreatitis after either a DC le sion of the C1 level of the spinal cord or a sham DC lesion. A signifi cant reduction in rearing behavior was observed in rats with pancreati tis when compared to sham animals. DC lesions reversed this reduction in rearing activity. This study suggests that the DCs are involved in transmitting nociceptive signals from the pancreas to the brain.