National University Corporation Okayama University
[Okayama University Health Innovation] Okayama University Medical Research Updates (OU-MRU) Vol.109 published
In order to make the results of innovation in the medical field and related fields, which is one of Okayama University’s strengths, more visible to the general public, we have published an international information web letter “Okayama University Medical Research Updates” Vol.109. was issued on December 20, 2022!
December 24, 2022
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
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◆ When rats scratch their eyes, there is a “dominant foot”
On December 20, 2022, National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Hiroshi Makino) announced that on December 20, 2022, the results of research and development in the medical field, which is one of the strengths of Okayama University, will be applied to innovative technologies. We have published Vol.109 of the web letter “Okayama University Medical Research Updates (OU-MRU),” which provides English-language
information on basic research that can be used as a bridge, results that lead to clinical practice, medical innovation, etc., to the general public around the world. did.
In this issue, Associate Professor Hirotaka Sakamoto
(Neuroendocrinology) of the Faculty of Science (Ushimado Rinkai) and Associate Professor Keiko Takanami (Behavioral Science) (former assistant professor at the National Institute of Genetics) introduces the research results of “when rats scratch their eyes, there is a ‘dominant foot'”.
Associate Professor Sakamoto and Associate Professor Takanami’s research team found that when rats were stimulated with histamine in both eyes, the right hindpaw scratched the eyes (in other words, the “dominant leg” when scratching the eyes). ”) was discovered. Furthermore, in recent years, it has been reported that a neuropeptide receptor called the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor functions as an itch-specific transduction molecule in the mouse spinal cord. In this study, we also identified that itching in the facial region is transmitted by the GRP system present in the medulla oblongata. Itchy eyes are a very unpleasant sensation caused mainly by
inflammation of the conjunctiva. Unlike itchy skin that comes from any part of the body, rubbing your eyes is not a good idea and can damage the delicate conjunctival epithelium. We have studied the less well-studied neural basis of ocular itch transmission compared to the spinal nervous system that conveys itch in the body. As a result, it was found that when both eyes were stimulated in rats, the right hind paw scratched the eyes (in other words, the paw used to scratch the eyes was the “right-handed” rat).
In rodents, it is known that the GRP system of the spinal cord and somatosensory system is involved in the itch sensation from most parts of the body. , was also shown to be important for the transmission of itch originating from the eye.
Focusing on “GRP receptor-expressing neurons” and clarifying the mechanism of action of the GRP system in the medulla
oblongata/trigeminal nerve sensory system, which conveys itching from the eyes, is a new treatment for intractable pruritus of the eye, including hay fever. It is hoped that this will also contribute to the development of legislation.
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Itching in the body is transmitted through the spinal sensory nervous system. On the other hand, it has been thought that itching in the facial region, including the eyes, is transmitted via the trigeminal sensory system. This time, we have clarified that the GRP system is commonly involved in both the spinal cord (body) and medulla oblongata (face) levels.
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(a) Saline (control) or histamine was administered bilaterally to the eyes of rats. Number (b) and time (c) of hindpaw scratching for 60 minutes after administration of saline or histamine P- 0.05 with Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Okayama University Medical Research Updates (OU-MRU) Vol.109 Eye scratching mechanisms in rats.
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/up_load_files/ebulletin-RUs/pdf/vol109.pdf [Image 4
Associate Professor Hirotaka Sakamoto and Associate Professor Keiko Takanami of Nara Women’s University (right), who were in charge of the research results introduced in this issue
◆ Paper information
Paper title: Footedness for scratching itchy eyes in rodents “When rodents scratch their eyes, there is a dominant leg”
Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences Authors: Yukitoshi Katayama#, Ayane Miura#, Tatsuya Sakamoto, Keiko Takanami* and Hirotaka Sakamoto* (#equal contribution, *corresponding author)
doi: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1126.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.1126
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◆Okayama University Medical Research Updates (OU-MRU)
Since 2012, Okayama University has published a web magazine “Okayama University e-Bulletin” 3-4 times a year to disseminate information in English on research results, intellectual property, technology transfer activities, etc. In addition, we use the world’s largest online news service “EurekAlert!” provided by AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) to share news and topics with researchers from universities and research institutes around the world and members of the mass media. We are promoting the
strengthening of information dissemination overseas and the
improvement of international recognition of Okayama University. As a sister journal of e-Bulletin, OU-MRU will further enhance Okayama University’s strengths in medical fields and their fusion fields, and will provide the world with timely information on the innovative research results of Okayama University researchers in these fields. Issued for dispatch.
In August 2013, Okayama University was selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology from among universities and research institutes nationwide to further improve the research capabilities of Japanese universities and strengthen international research competitiveness. Selected universities (19 domestic universities). A research university (research university) that has a strong presence in the world in terms of both quantity and quality of research. We are strongly promoting the international dissemination of information in related fields. In the future, we will continue to promote research and development to accelerate the open innovation of industry-academia-government co-creation, innovative technology that can be used in society, medical practice and healthcare, and deliver the results produced by our university more quickly to maintain and improve health.
In addition, joint research with Associate Professor Hirotaka Sakamoto of the Faculty of Science (Ushimado Rinkai), which was covered in this issue, is also accepted at any time. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
◆ OU-MRU back number (Vol.100-Vol.108)
・Vol.100: Understanding insect leg regeneration (Lecturer Tetsuya Bando, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicine))
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11026.html
・Vol.101: Oral tumor progression mechanism identified (Academic Research Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Dentistry) Assistant Professor Kawai Hotaka)
http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11039.html
・Vol.102: Controlled cell death by irradiation with light (Professor Yuuki Sudo, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicine))
http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11087.html
・Vol.103: High-quality growth (Assistant Professor Hiroaki Suzuki, Faculty of Natural Sciences (Engineering))
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11455.html
・Vol.104: The determinants of persistent and severe COVID-19 revealed (Associate Professor Tomonari Boku, Research Institute for
Interdisciplinary Science)
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11473.html
・Vol.105: The dynamics of skin regeneration revealed (Associate Professor Shin Sato, Interdisciplinary Frontier Research Core) https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11519.html
・Vol.106: The skin electrically modeled (Professor Takao Nakamura, Faculty of Health Sciences)
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11558.html
・ Vol.107: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and fever: A possible new link (Professor Takashi Raito, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicine))
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11607.html
・Vol.108: Track changes: A new test to study cancer progression (Professor Junichiro Futami, Department of Integrated Sciences for Health Systems (Engineering), Academic Research Institute)
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id11645.html
◆ Reference
・Graduate School of Science and Technology, Okayama University https://www.gnst.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Faculty of Science
https://www.science.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Ushimado Marine Biological Station, Faculty of Science, Okayama University https://www.science.okayama-u.ac.jp/~rinkai/
・Nara Women’s University
http://www.nara-wu.ac.jp/index.html
◆ Reference video: Introduction to the Ushimado Critical Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Okayama University (YouTube 3:05)
https://youtu.be/t7jJWOBHxEk
[Video 2: https://prtimes.jp/api/movieim.php?url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7jJWOBHxEk]
◆ Reference information
・”Okayama University Medical Research Updates (OU-MRU)” back number https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/eng/research/ou-mru.html
・Okayama University International Web Magazine “Okayama University e-Bulletin” https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/kouhou/ebulletin/
・Eurek Alert!
https://www.eurekalert.org/
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Ushimado Marine Biological Station, Faculty of Science, Okayama University (Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture)
◆ Inquiries regarding this matter
Hirotaka Sakamoto, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Sciences (Rinkai Ushimado), Faculty of Science, Okayama University
Ushimado Marine Biological Station, Faculty of Science, Okayama University 130-17 Shikanoshi, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture 701-4303
TEL: 0869-34-5210
FAX: 0869-34-5211
http://www.science.okayama-u.ac.jp/~rinkai/index.html
-Inquiries regarding Okayama University’s industry-academia-government collaboration-
Okayama University Organization for Research Promotion Headquarters for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration
1-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 700-8530 Okayama University Tsushima Campus Main Building 1F TEL: 086-251-8463
E-mail: sangaku◎okayama-u.ac.jp
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