Acupuncture has been used to treat neuropathic pain for a long time, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. In this study, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture and manual acu- puncture on neuropathic pa...Acupuncture has been used to treat neuropathic pain for a long time, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. In this study, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture and manual acu- puncture on neuropathic pain and on ephrin-B/EphB signaling in rats models of chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. The results showed that manual acupuncture and electroacu- puncture significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity following chronic constriction injury, es- pecially electroacupuncture treatment. Real-time PCR results revealed that ephrin-B1/B3 and EphB1/B2 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in the spinal dorsal horns of chronic constriction injury rats. Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture suppressed the high expres- sion of ephrin-B1 mRNA, and elevated EphB3/B4 mRNA expression. Electroacupuncture signifi- cantly enhanced the mRNA expression of ephrin-B3 and EphB3/B6 in the dorsal horns of neuro- pathic pain rats. Western blot results revealed that electroacupuncture in particular, and manual acupuncture, significantly up-regulated ephrin-B3 protein levels in rat spinal dorsal horns. The re- sults of this study suggest that acupuncture could activate ephrin-B/EphB signaling in neuropathic pain rats and improve neurological function.展开更多
Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1（NMDAR1） plays an important role in t...Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1（NMDAR1） plays an important role in the production and maintenance of hyperalgesia and allodynia.The present study was conducted to determine whether a relationship exists between estrogen and NMDAR1 in peripheral nerve pain.A chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury model of chronic neuropathic pain was established in rats.These rats were then subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol,the NMDAR1 antagonist D（-）-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid（AP-5）,or both once daily for 15 days.Compared with injured drug na？ve rats,rats with chronic sciatic nerve injury that were administered estradiol showed a lower paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and a shorter paw withdrawal thermal latency,indicating increased sensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain.Estrogen administration was also associated with increased expression of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity（as assessed by immunohistochemistry） and protein（as determined by western blot assay） in spinal dorsal root ganglia.This 17β-estradiol-induced increase in NMDAR1 expression was blocked by co-administration with AP-5,whereas AP-5 alone did not affect NMDAR1 expression.These results suggest that 17β-estradiol administration significantly reduced mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in rats with chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve,and that the mechanism for this increased sensitivity may be related to the upregulation of NMDAR1 expression in dorsal root ganglia.展开更多
Traumatic injury or inflammatory irritation of the peripheral nervous system often leads to persistent pathophysiological pain states.It has been well-documented that,after peripheral nerve injury or inflammation,func...Traumatic injury or inflammatory irritation of the peripheral nervous system often leads to persistent pathophysiological pain states.It has been well-documented that,after peripheral nerve injury or inflammation,functional and anatomical alterations sweep over the entire peripheral nervous system including the peripheral nerve endings,the injured or inflamed afferent fibers,the dorsal root ganglion(DRG),and the central afferent terminals in the spinal cord.Among all the changes,ectopic discharge or spontaneous activity of primary sensory neurons is of great clinical interest,as such discharges doubtless contribute to the develop-ment of pathological pain states such as neuropathic pain.Two key sources of abnormal spontaneous activity have been identified following peripheral nerve injury:the injured afferent fibers(neuroma) leading to the DRG,and the DRG somata.The purpose of this review is to provide a global account of the abnormal spontaneous activity in various animal models of pain.Particular attention is focused on the consequence of peripheral nerve injury and localized inflammation.Further,mechanisms involved in the generation of spontaneous activity are also reviewed;evidence of spontaneous activity in contributing to abnormal sympathetic sprouting in the axotomized DRG and to the initiation of neuropathic pain based on new findings from our research group are discussed.An improved understanding of the causes of spontaneous activity and the origins of neuropathic pain should facilitate the development of novel strategies for effective treatment of pathological pain.展开更多
Background:Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a minimally invasive interventional technique that provides a novel and effective treatment strategy for neuropathic pain (NP).PRF is advantageous because it does not damage n...Background:Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a minimally invasive interventional technique that provides a novel and effective treatment strategy for neuropathic pain (NP).PRF is advantageous because it does not damage nerves and avoids sensory loss after treatment.At present,animal studies have demonstrated that PRF is safe and effective for relieving the NP associated with sciatic nerve damage in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI).However,the mechanism through which this effect occurs is unknown.An increasing body of evidence shows that the expression of the P2X ligand-gated ion channel 3 (P2X3) receptor is closely related to NP;this study was to investigate whether the expression of this receptor is involved in NP relief due to PRF.Methods:A total of 36 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups:Sham group,CCI group,and PRF group.The right sciatic nerve was ligated in CCI group and PRF group to establish a CCI model;the right sciatic nerve was separated but not ligated in Sham group.On day 14 after the operation,PRF was administered to the ligated sciatic nerve in PRF group (42℃,45 V,2 min).A non-live electrode was placed at the exposed sciatic nerve for the rats in Sham and CCI groups.The hindpaw withdrawal threshold (HWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at the right hindpaw at different time points before and after PRF or sham therapy.On day 28 after treatment,the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn of the right L4-6 were harvested from each group to determine the mRNA and protein levels of the P2X3 receptor.Results:On day 28 after PRF treatment,the HWT (8.33 ± 0.67 g vs.3.62 ± 0.48 g) and TWL (25.42 ± 1.90 s vs.15.10 ± 1.71 s) were significantly higher in PRF group as compared to CCI group (P < 0.05).The mRNA expression of the P2X3 receptor in the DRG in PRF group was 23.7% lower than that in CCI group (P < 0.05),in the spinal dorsal horns in PRF group was 22.7% lower than that in CCI group (P < 0.05).The protein expressio展开更多
Background:Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF),as a non-invasive treatment of neuropathic pain(NP),has been widely administered clinically.Previous studies have shown that PRF has the potential to improve hyperalgesia in anima...Background:Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF),as a non-invasive treatment of neuropathic pain(NP),has been widely administered clinically.Previous studies have shown that PRF has the potential to improve hyperalgesia in animal models of NP.However,there have been few reports to clarify whether the mechanism of PRF treatment of NP involves intervention in the expression of substance P(SP).Therefore,this study administered PRF treatment to chronic constriction injury(CCI)model rats and observed the sciatic nerve mechanical pain threshold and SP expression in the spinal cord to explore the mechanism of PRF treatment.Methods:A total of 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham-surgery-sham-treatment group(S-S group),the sham-surgery-PRF group(S-P group),the CCI-sham-treatment group(C-S group),and the CCI-PRF group(C-P group).The C-S group and the C-P group underwent sciatic nerve CCI,while the other groups received a sham operation.At 14 days after the operation,the C-P group and the S-P group were treated with PRF for 300 s.We recorded the hindpaw withdrawal threshold(HWT)and the thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)of rats in the various groups at baseline,before treatment(0 days),and at 1,7,14,and 28 days after treatment.L4 to L6 spinal cord tissues were taken before treatment(0 days)and 1,7,14,and 28 days after treatment.The transcription and translation of SP were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting,respectively.Results:The HWT and the TWL in the C-P group 28 days after PRF treatment were significantly higher than those in the C-S group(95%confidence interval[CI]:5.84–19.50,P<0.01;95%CI:2.58–8.69,P=0.01).The expression of SP in the C-P group 28 days after PRF treatment was significantly lower than that in the C-S group(95%CI:1.17–2.48,P<0.01).Conclusions:PRF may alleviate CCI-induced NP by down-regulating the expression of SP in the spinal cord of CCI model rats.展开更多
Neuropathic pain(NP)has become a serious global health issue and a huge clinical challenge without available effective treatment.P2 receptors family is involved in pain transmission and represents a promising target f...Neuropathic pain(NP)has become a serious global health issue and a huge clinical challenge without available effective treatment.P2 receptors family is involved in pain transmission and represents a promising target for pharmacological intervention.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)contains multiple components which are effective in targeting different pathological mechanisms involved in NP.Different from traditional analgesics,which target a single pathway,TCMs take the advantage of multiple components and multiple targets,and can significantly improve the efficacy of treatment and contribute to the prediction of the risks of NP.Compounds of TCM acting at nucleotide P2 receptors in neurons and glial cells could be considered as a potential research direction for moderating neuropathic pain.This review summarized the recently published data and highlighted several TCMs that relieved NP by acting at P2 receptors.展开更多
Transmembrane member 16 A(TMEM16 A) is involved in many physiological functions, such as epithelial secretion, sensory conduction, nociception, control of neuronal excitability, and regulation of smooth muscle contrac...Transmembrane member 16 A(TMEM16 A) is involved in many physiological functions, such as epithelial secretion, sensory conduction, nociception, control of neuronal excitability, and regulation of smooth muscle contraction, and may be important in peripheral pain transmission. To explore the role of TMEM16 A in the persistent hyperalgesia that results from chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain, a rat model of the condition was established by ligating the left sciatic nerve. A TMEM16 A selective antagonist(10 μg T16 Ainh-A01) was intrathecally injected at L5–6. For measurement of thermal hyperalgesia, the drug was administered once at 14 days and thermal withdrawal latency was recorded with an analgesia meter. For measurement of other indexes, the drug was administered at 12 days,once every 6 hours, totally five times. The measurements were performed at 14 days. Western blot assay was conducted to analyze TMEM16 A expression in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the immunoreactivity of TMEM16 A in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion on the injured side. Patch clamp was used to detect electrophysiological changes in the neurons in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion. Our results demonstrated that thermal withdrawal latency was shortened in the model rats compared with control rats.Additionally, TMEM16 A expression and the number of TMEM16 A positive cells in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion were higher in the model rats, which induced excitation of the neurons in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion. These findings were inhibited by T16 Ainh-A01 and confirm that TMEM16 A plays a key role in persistent chronic constriction injury-induced hyperalgesia. Thus, inhibiting TMEM16 A might be a novel pharmacological intervention for neuropathic pain. All experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University School of Medicine, China(approval No. A2017-170-01) on February 27, 2017.展开更多
基金supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.20100480643the Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission,No.2011JW13
文摘Acupuncture has been used to treat neuropathic pain for a long time, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. In this study, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture and manual acu- puncture on neuropathic pain and on ephrin-B/EphB signaling in rats models of chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. The results showed that manual acupuncture and electroacu- puncture significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity following chronic constriction injury, es- pecially electroacupuncture treatment. Real-time PCR results revealed that ephrin-B1/B3 and EphB1/B2 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in the spinal dorsal horns of chronic constriction injury rats. Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture suppressed the high expres- sion of ephrin-B1 mRNA, and elevated EphB3/B4 mRNA expression. Electroacupuncture signifi- cantly enhanced the mRNA expression of ephrin-B3 and EphB3/B6 in the dorsal horns of neuro- pathic pain rats. Western blot results revealed that electroacupuncture in particular, and manual acupuncture, significantly up-regulated ephrin-B3 protein levels in rat spinal dorsal horns. The re- sults of this study suggest that acupuncture could activate ephrin-B/EphB signaling in neuropathic pain rats and improve neurological function.
基金supported by the Youth Shihezi University Applied Basic Research Project of China,No.2015ZRKYQ-LH19
文摘Estrogen affects the generation and transmission of neuropathic pain,but the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear.Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1（NMDAR1） plays an important role in the production and maintenance of hyperalgesia and allodynia.The present study was conducted to determine whether a relationship exists between estrogen and NMDAR1 in peripheral nerve pain.A chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury model of chronic neuropathic pain was established in rats.These rats were then subcutaneously injected with 17β-estradiol,the NMDAR1 antagonist D（-）-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid（AP-5）,or both once daily for 15 days.Compared with injured drug na？ve rats,rats with chronic sciatic nerve injury that were administered estradiol showed a lower paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and a shorter paw withdrawal thermal latency,indicating increased sensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain.Estrogen administration was also associated with increased expression of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity（as assessed by immunohistochemistry） and protein（as determined by western blot assay） in spinal dorsal root ganglia.This 17β-estradiol-induced increase in NMDAR1 expression was blocked by co-administration with AP-5,whereas AP-5 alone did not affect NMDAR1 expression.These results suggest that 17β-estradiol administration significantly reduced mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in rats with chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve,and that the mechanism for this increased sensitivity may be related to the upregulation of NMDAR1 expression in dorsal root ganglia.
文摘Traumatic injury or inflammatory irritation of the peripheral nervous system often leads to persistent pathophysiological pain states.It has been well-documented that,after peripheral nerve injury or inflammation,functional and anatomical alterations sweep over the entire peripheral nervous system including the peripheral nerve endings,the injured or inflamed afferent fibers,the dorsal root ganglion(DRG),and the central afferent terminals in the spinal cord.Among all the changes,ectopic discharge or spontaneous activity of primary sensory neurons is of great clinical interest,as such discharges doubtless contribute to the develop-ment of pathological pain states such as neuropathic pain.Two key sources of abnormal spontaneous activity have been identified following peripheral nerve injury:the injured afferent fibers(neuroma) leading to the DRG,and the DRG somata.The purpose of this review is to provide a global account of the abnormal spontaneous activity in various animal models of pain.Particular attention is focused on the consequence of peripheral nerve injury and localized inflammation.Further,mechanisms involved in the generation of spontaneous activity are also reviewed;evidence of spontaneous activity in contributing to abnormal sympathetic sprouting in the axotomized DRG and to the initiation of neuropathic pain based on new findings from our research group are discussed.An improved understanding of the causes of spontaneous activity and the origins of neuropathic pain should facilitate the development of novel strategies for effective treatment of pathological pain.
文摘Background:Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a minimally invasive interventional technique that provides a novel and effective treatment strategy for neuropathic pain (NP).PRF is advantageous because it does not damage nerves and avoids sensory loss after treatment.At present,animal studies have demonstrated that PRF is safe and effective for relieving the NP associated with sciatic nerve damage in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI).However,the mechanism through which this effect occurs is unknown.An increasing body of evidence shows that the expression of the P2X ligand-gated ion channel 3 (P2X3) receptor is closely related to NP;this study was to investigate whether the expression of this receptor is involved in NP relief due to PRF.Methods:A total of 36 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups:Sham group,CCI group,and PRF group.The right sciatic nerve was ligated in CCI group and PRF group to establish a CCI model;the right sciatic nerve was separated but not ligated in Sham group.On day 14 after the operation,PRF was administered to the ligated sciatic nerve in PRF group (42℃,45 V,2 min).A non-live electrode was placed at the exposed sciatic nerve for the rats in Sham and CCI groups.The hindpaw withdrawal threshold (HWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at the right hindpaw at different time points before and after PRF or sham therapy.On day 28 after treatment,the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn of the right L4-6 were harvested from each group to determine the mRNA and protein levels of the P2X3 receptor.Results:On day 28 after PRF treatment,the HWT (8.33 ± 0.67 g vs.3.62 ± 0.48 g) and TWL (25.42 ± 1.90 s vs.15.10 ± 1.71 s) were significantly higher in PRF group as compared to CCI group (P < 0.05).The mRNA expression of the P2X3 receptor in the DRG in PRF group was 23.7% lower than that in CCI group (P < 0.05),in the spinal dorsal horns in PRF group was 22.7% lower than that in CCI group (P < 0.05).The protein expressio
基金This study was supported by a grant from the Foundation for the Excellent Medical Staff of Beijing(No.2014-3-035).
文摘Background:Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF),as a non-invasive treatment of neuropathic pain(NP),has been widely administered clinically.Previous studies have shown that PRF has the potential to improve hyperalgesia in animal models of NP.However,there have been few reports to clarify whether the mechanism of PRF treatment of NP involves intervention in the expression of substance P(SP).Therefore,this study administered PRF treatment to chronic constriction injury(CCI)model rats and observed the sciatic nerve mechanical pain threshold and SP expression in the spinal cord to explore the mechanism of PRF treatment.Methods:A total of 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham-surgery-sham-treatment group(S-S group),the sham-surgery-PRF group(S-P group),the CCI-sham-treatment group(C-S group),and the CCI-PRF group(C-P group).The C-S group and the C-P group underwent sciatic nerve CCI,while the other groups received a sham operation.At 14 days after the operation,the C-P group and the S-P group were treated with PRF for 300 s.We recorded the hindpaw withdrawal threshold(HWT)and the thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)of rats in the various groups at baseline,before treatment(0 days),and at 1,7,14,and 28 days after treatment.L4 to L6 spinal cord tissues were taken before treatment(0 days)and 1,7,14,and 28 days after treatment.The transcription and translation of SP were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting,respectively.Results:The HWT and the TWL in the C-P group 28 days after PRF treatment were significantly higher than those in the C-S group(95%confidence interval[CI]:5.84–19.50,P<0.01;95%CI:2.58–8.69,P=0.01).The expression of SP in the C-P group 28 days after PRF treatment was significantly lower than that in the C-S group(95%CI:1.17–2.48,P<0.01).Conclusions:PRF may alleviate CCI-induced NP by down-regulating the expression of SP in the spinal cord of CCI model rats.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81570735,8181101216,31560276,81970749,and 81870574)
文摘Neuropathic pain(NP)has become a serious global health issue and a huge clinical challenge without available effective treatment.P2 receptors family is involved in pain transmission and represents a promising target for pharmacological intervention.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)contains multiple components which are effective in targeting different pathological mechanisms involved in NP.Different from traditional analgesics,which target a single pathway,TCMs take the advantage of multiple components and multiple targets,and can significantly improve the efficacy of treatment and contribute to the prediction of the risks of NP.Compounds of TCM acting at nucleotide P2 receptors in neurons and glial cells could be considered as a potential research direction for moderating neuropathic pain.This review summarized the recently published data and highlighted several TCMs that relieved NP by acting at P2 receptors.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30160026(to JQS)the High Level Talent Research Project of Shihezi University of China,No.RCSX201705(to YW)
文摘Transmembrane member 16 A(TMEM16 A) is involved in many physiological functions, such as epithelial secretion, sensory conduction, nociception, control of neuronal excitability, and regulation of smooth muscle contraction, and may be important in peripheral pain transmission. To explore the role of TMEM16 A in the persistent hyperalgesia that results from chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain, a rat model of the condition was established by ligating the left sciatic nerve. A TMEM16 A selective antagonist(10 μg T16 Ainh-A01) was intrathecally injected at L5–6. For measurement of thermal hyperalgesia, the drug was administered once at 14 days and thermal withdrawal latency was recorded with an analgesia meter. For measurement of other indexes, the drug was administered at 12 days,once every 6 hours, totally five times. The measurements were performed at 14 days. Western blot assay was conducted to analyze TMEM16 A expression in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the immunoreactivity of TMEM16 A in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion on the injured side. Patch clamp was used to detect electrophysiological changes in the neurons in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion. Our results demonstrated that thermal withdrawal latency was shortened in the model rats compared with control rats.Additionally, TMEM16 A expression and the number of TMEM16 A positive cells in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion were higher in the model rats, which induced excitation of the neurons in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglion. These findings were inhibited by T16 Ainh-A01 and confirm that TMEM16 A plays a key role in persistent chronic constriction injury-induced hyperalgesia. Thus, inhibiting TMEM16 A might be a novel pharmacological intervention for neuropathic pain. All experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University School of Medicine, China(approval No. A2017-170-01) on February 27, 2017.
