Papers of the Week

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) cause symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, and some mechanisms have been proposed to explain them. However, signaling pathways downstream from kinin B (BR) and B (BR) receptor activation and their possible sensitizing of the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) remain unknown. The interaction between the kinin receptor and the TRPA1 channel in male C57BL/6 mice treated with anastrozole (an AI) was evaluated. PLC/PKC and PKA inhibitors were used to evaluate the signaling pathways downstream from BR and BR activation and their effect on TRPA1 sensitization. Anastrozole caused mechanical allodynia and muscle strength loss in mice. BR (Bradykinin), BR (DABk), or TRPA1 (AITC) agonists induced overt nociceptive behavior and enhanced and prolonged the painful parameters in anastrozole-treated mice. All painful symptoms were reduced by BR (Icatibant), BR (DALBk), or TRPA1 (A967079) antagonists. We observed the interaction between BR, BR, and the TRPA1 channel in anastrozole-induced musculoskeletal pain, which was dependent on the activation of the PLC/PKC and PKA signaling pathways. TRPA1 seems to be sensitized by mechanisms dependent on the activation of PLC/PKC, and PKA due to kinin receptors stimulation in anastrozole-treated animals. Thus, regulating this signaling pathway could contribute to alleviating AIs-related pain symptoms, patients’ adherence to therapy, and disease control.