The expression of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase in the caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus is down-regulated after electrical stimulation of the dura mater surrounding the superior sagittal sinus in conscious rats.

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), we examined proteomic changes in the caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus induced by electrical stimulation of the dura mater surrounding the superior sagittal sinus (ES-SSS) in conscious rats. After image analysis of 2-DE gels, nine protein spots of interest were excised from the gels and identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Among the nine, succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) was found to be down-regulated after ES-SSS. This result was validated with Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Because SSADH degrades GABA, decreased expression of it increases the local concentration of GABA in the caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus after ES-SSS; this has not been reported before and may participate in the modulation of trigeminovascular headache.