Alternatively spliced proline-rich cassettes link WNK1 to aldosterone action

The thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC) is important for renal salt handling and blood-pressure homeostasis. The canonical NCC-activating pathway consists of With-No-Lysine (WNK) kinases and their downstream effector kinases SPAK and OSR1, which phosphorylate NCC directly. The upstream mechanisms that connect physiological stimuli to this system remain obscure. Here, we have shown that aldosterone activates SPAK/OSR1 via WNK1. We identified 2 alternatively spliced exons embedded within a proline-rich region of WNK1 that contain PY motifs, which bind the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4-2. PY motif–containing WNK1 isoforms were expressed in human kidney, and these isoforms were efficiently degraded by the ubiquitin proteasome system, an effect reversed by the aldosterone-induced kinase SGK1. In gene-edited cells, WNK1 deficiency negated regulatory effects of NEDD4-2 and SGK1 on NCC, suggesting that WNK1 mediates aldosterone-dependent activity of the WNK/SPAK/OSR1 pathway. Aldosterone infusion increased proline-rich WNK1 isoform abundance in WT mice but did not alter WNK1 abundance in hypertensive Nedd4-2 KO mice, which exhibit high baseline WNK1 and SPAK/OSR1 activity toward NCC. Conversely, hypotensive Sgk1 KO mice exhibited low WNK1 expression and activity. Together, our findings indicate that the proline-rich exons are modular cassettes that convert WNK1 into a NEDD4-2 substrate, thereby linking aldosterone and other NEDD4-2–suppressing antinatriuretic hormones to NCC phosphorylation status.     

Prevention of NKCC1 phosphorylation avoids downregulation of KCC2 in central sensory pathways and reduces neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury

Neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury is characterized by loss of inhibition in both peripheral and central pain pathways. In the adult nervous system, the Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ (NKCC1) and neuron-specific K⁺–Cl⁻ (KCC2) cotransporters are involved in setting the strength and polarity of GABAergic/glycinergic transmission. After nerve injury, the balance between these cotransporters changes, leading to a decrease in the inhibitory tone. However, the role that NKCC1 and KCC2 play in pain-processing brain areas is unknown. Our goal was to study the effects of peripheral nerve injury on NKCC1 and KCC2 expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), spinal cord, ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus, and primary somatosensory (S1) cortex. After sciatic nerve section and suture in adult rats, assessment of mechanical and thermal pain thresholds showed evidence of hyperalgesia during the following 2 months. We also found an increase in NKCC1 expression in the DRG and a downregulation of KCC2 in spinal cord after injury, accompanied by later decrease of KCC2 levels in higher projection areas (VPL and S1) from 2 weeks postinjury, correlating with neuropathic pain signs. Administration of bumetanide (30 mg/kg) during 2 weeks following sciatic nerve lesion prevented the previously observed changes in the spinothalamic tract projecting areas and the appearance of hyperalgesia. In conclusion, the present results indicate that changes in NKCC1 and KCC2 in DRG, spinal cord, and central pain areas may contribute to development of neuropathic pain.     

Injury discharges regulate calcium channel alpha-2-delta-1 subunit upregulation in the dorsal horn that contributes to initiation of neuropathic pain

Previous studies have shown that peripheral nerve injury in rats induces increased expression of the voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) alpha-2-delta-1 subunit (Ca v alpha2 delta1) in spinal dorsal horn and sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) that correlates to established neuropathic pain states. To determine if injury discharges trigger Ca v alpha2 delta1 induction that contributes to neuropathic pain initiation, we examined allodynia onset and Ca v alpha2 delta1 levels in DRG and spinal dorsal horn of spinal nerve ligated rats after blocking injury induced neural activity with a local brief application of lidocaine on spinal nerves before the ligation. The lidocaine pretreatment blocked ligation-induced discharges in a dose-dependent manner. Similar pretreatment with the effective concentration of lidocaine diminished injury-induced increases of the Ca v alpha2 delta1 in DRG and abolished that in spinal dorsal horn specifically, and resulted in a delayed onset of tactile allodynia post-injury. Both dorsal horn Ca v alpha2 delta1 upregulation and tactile allodynia in the lidocaine pretreated rats returned to levels similar to that in saline pretreated controls 2 weeks post the ligation injury. In addition, preemptive intrathecal Ca v alpha2 delta1 antisense treatments blocked concurrently injury-induced allodynia onset and Ca v alpha2 delta1 upregulation in dorsal spinal cord. These findings indicate that injury induced discharges regulate Ca v alpha2 delta1 expression in the spinal dorsal horn that is critical for neuropathic allodynia initiation. Thus, preemptive blockade of injury-induced neural activity or Ca v alpha2 delta1 upregulation may be a beneficial option in neuropathic pain management.     

Role of the NKCC1 co-transporter in sensitization of spinal nociceptive neurons

The Na⁺, K⁺, 2Cl⁻ co-transporter type 1 (NKCC1) plays a pivotal role in hyperalgesia associated with inflammatory stimuli. NKCC1 contributes to maintain high [Cl⁻]_i in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons which cause primary afferent depolarization (PAD) when GABA_A receptors are activated. Enhanced GABA-induced depolarization, through increased NKCC1 activity, has been hypothesized to produce orthodromic spike activity of sufficient intensity to account for touch-induced pain. In the present study, we investigate this hypothesis using in vivo electrophysiology on rat dorsal horn neurons; the effects of spinal blockade of NKCC1 on intraplantar capsaicin-induced sensitization of dorsal horn neurons were examined. Single wide dynamic range (WDR) and nociceptive specific (NS) neuron activity in the dorsal horn was recorded using glass microelectrodes in anesthetized rats. Dorsal horn neurons with a receptive field on the plantar surface of the hindpaw were studied. Neuronal responses to mechanical stimuli (brush, von Frey filaments) were recorded ten minutes before intraplantar injection of 0.3 ml 0.1% capsaicin (CAP), 40 min after CAP and 15 min after local application of the NKCC1 blocker bumetanide (BTD; 500 μM) on the spinal cord. After CAP, low and high threshold stimulation of the cutaneous receptive field produced a significant enhancement in spike frequency over pre-CAP values in both WDR and NS neurons. Spinal BTD application reduced the spike frequency to baseline levels as well as attenuated the CAP-induced increases in background activity. Our data support the hypothesis that NKCC1 plays an important role in the sensitization of dorsal horn neurons following a peripheral inflammatory insult.     

Allodynia and hyperalgesia in diabetic rats are mediated by GABA and depletion of spinal potassium-chloride co-transporters

Diabetic rats show behavioral indices of painful neuropathy that may model the human condition. Hyperalgesia during the formalin test in diabetic rats is accompanied by the apparently paradoxical decrease in spinal release of excitatory neurotransmitters and increase in the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Decreased expression of the potassium-chloride co-transporter, KCC2, in the spinal cord promotes excitatory properties of GABA. We therefore measured spinal KCC2 expression and explored the role of the GABA(A) receptor in rats with painful diabetic neuropathy. KCC2 protein levels were significantly reduced in the spinal cord of diabetic rats, while levels of NKCC1 and the GABA(A) receptor were unchanged. Spinal delivery of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline reduced formalin-evoked flinching in diabetic rats and also dose-dependently alleviated tactile allodynia. GABA(A) receptor-mediated rate-dependent depression of the spinal H reflex was absent in the spinal cord of diabetic rats. Control rats treated with the KCC2 blocker DIOA, mimicked diabetes by showing increased formalin-evoked flinching and diminished rate- dependent depression. The ability of bicuculline to alleviate allodynia and formalin-evoked hyperalgesia in diabetic rats is consistent with a reversal of the properties of GABA predicted by reduced spinal KCC2 and suggests that reduced KCC2 expression and increased GABA release contribute to spinally mediated hyperalgesia in diabetes.     

Contribution of the WNK1 kinase to corneal wound healing using the tissue‐engineered human cornea as an in vitro model

Damage to the corneal epithelium triggers important changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) to which basal human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) attach. These changes are perceived by integrin receptors that activate different intracellular signalling pathways, ultimately leading to re‐epithelialization of the injured epithelium. In this study, we investigated the impact of pharmacological inhibition of specific signal transduction mediators on corneal wound healing using both monolayers of hCECs and the human tissue‐engineered cornea (hTEC) as an in vitro 3D model. RNA and proteins were isolated from the wounded and unwounded hTECs to conduct gene profiling analyses and protein kinase arrays. The impact of WNK1 inhibition was evaluated on the wounded hTECs as well as on hCECs monolayers using a scratch wound assay. Gene profiling and protein kinase arrays revealed that expression and activity of several mediators from the integrin‐dependent signaling pathways were altered in response to the ECM changes occurring during corneal wound healing. Phosphorylation of the WNK1 kinase turned out to be the most striking activation event going on during this process. The inhibition of WNK1 by WNK463 reduced the rate of corneal wound closure in both the hTEC and hCECs grown in monolayer compared with their respective negative controls. WNK463 also reduced phosphorylation of the WNK1 downstream targets SPAK/OSR1 in wounded hTECs. These in vitro results allowed for a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in corneal wound healing and identified WNK1 as a kinase important to ensure proper wound healing of the cornea.     

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the neuropathic pain induced by Lumbar 5 ventral root transection in rat

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays an important role in neuropathic pain. Recently, it has been shown that Lumbar 5 ventral root transection (L5 VRT) induces persistent mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in bilateral hind paws. In the present study, the role of TNF-alpha in the L5 VRT model was investigated. We found that immunoreactivity (IR) of TNF-alpha and TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) in ipsilateral (but not in contralateral) L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was increased following L5 VRT, started 1 day after the lesion and persisted for 2 weeks. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that the increased TNF-alpha-IR in DRG was in satellite glial cells, immune cells and neuronal cells, while TNFR1-IR was almost restricted at DRG neuronal cells. L5 VRT increased TNF-alpha-IR and TNFR1-IR in bilateral L5 spinal dorsal horn, started 1 day after lesion and persisted for 2 weeks. The increased TNF-alpha-IR in spinal dorsal horn was observed in astrocytes, microglias and neurons, but the upregulation of TNFR1 was mainly in neurons. Intraperitoneal injection of thalidomide, an inhibitor of TNF-alpha synthesis, started at 2h before surgery, blocked mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. However, the drug failed to reverse the abnormal pain behaviors, when it was applied at day 7 after surgery. These data suggest that the upregulation of TNF-alpha and TNFR1 in DRG and spinal dorsal horn is essential for the initiation but not for maintenance of the neuropathic pain induced by L5 VRT.     

Calcium channel alpha-2-delta-1 protein upregulation in dorsal spinal cord mediates spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain states

Spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly results in the development of neuropathic pain, which can dramatically impair the quality of life for SCI patients. SCI-induced neuropathic pain can be manifested as both tactile allodynia (a painful sensation to a non-noxious stimulus) and hyperalgesia (an enhanced sensation to a painful stimulus). The mechanisms underlying these pain states are poorly understood. Clinical studies have shown that gabapentin, a drug that binds to the voltage-gated calcium channel alpha-2-delta-1 subunit (Ca_vα2δ-1) proteins is effective in the management of SCI-induced neuropathic pain. Accordingly, we hypothesized that tactile allodynia post SCI is mediated by an upregulation of Ca_vα2δ-1 in dorsal spinal cord. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether SCI-induced dysregulation of spinal Ca_vα2δ-1 plays a contributory role in below-level allodynia development in a rat spinal T9 contusion injury model. We found that Ca_vα2δ-1 expression levels were significantly increased in L4-6 dorsal, but not ventral, spinal cord of SCI rats that correlated with tactile allodynia development in the hind paw plantar surface. Furthermore, both intrathecal gabapentin treatment and blocking SCI-induced Ca_vα2δ-1 protein upregulation by intrathecal Ca_vα2δ-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides could reverse tactile allodynia in SCI rats. These findings support that SCI-induced Ca_vα2δ-1 upregulation in spinal dorsal horn is a key component in mediating below-level neuropathic pain states, and selectively targeting this pathway may provide effective pain relief for SCI patients.     

Resveratrol attenuates bone cancer pain through the inhibition of spinal glial activation and CX3CR1 upregulation

The present study examined the effects of intrathecal use of resveratrol on pain hypersensitivities, spinal glia activation, and CX3CR1 expression in the model of bone cancer pain (BCP). The BCP model was established through intrathecally injecting Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells to Sprague‐Dawley rats. We found that spinal CX3CR1 expression and glial activation aggravated after inoculation. Resveratrol (i.t.) attenuated bone cancer‐induced pain hypersensitivities, decreased CX3CR1 expression and glial activation in the spine in a BCP model. Resveratrol (i.t.) also attenuated mechanical allodynia resulting from intrathecally injecting fractalkine in rats. Inhibition of spinal glial activation and CX3CR1 upregulation may involve in resveratrol's analgesic effects. These findings demonstrated that resveratrol attenuated pain facilitation through inhibiting spinal glial activation and CX3CR1 upregulation in a BCP model.     

Stimulation of Cutaneous Low Threshold Mechanoreceptors in Mice After Intracolonic Capsaicin Increases Spinal c-Fos Labeling in an NKCC1-Dependent Fashion

Stimulation of peripheral nociceptors results in increased c-Fos labeling in spinal cord regions associated with nociceptive processing. Accordingly, intracolonic capsaicin, which generates robust secondary (referred) allodynia on the abdomen of mice, also causes an increased spinal c-Fos labeling. In naïve rodents, low intensity innocuous stimulation does not affect c-Fos labeling in spinal nociceptive regions. However, after persistent noxious input, low intensity stimulation of the inflamed region further enhances c-Fos labeling, suggesting that low threshold mechanosensitive fibers gain access to the nociceptive channel after persistent inflammation. We have previously proposed that afferent activity in low threshold sensory fibers activates nociceptive sensory fibers through Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^? cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) -mediated enhanced primary afferent depolarization. Here, we show that intracolonic capsaicin enhances spinal c-Fos labeling and secondary allodynia in an NKCC1-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that gently brushing the abdomen, the region of secondary allodynia, further increased spinal c-Fos levels, an effect that can be prevented by spinal NKCC1 blockade. These findings provide evidence that increased NKCC1 activity contributes to secondary allodynia and that innocuous touch can access the nociceptive channel in part through enhanced NKCC1 activity.PerspectiveWhile touch normally soothes acute pain, we demonstrate that following peripheral inflammation, touch evokes pain (allodynia) through the switching of a normally inhibitory spinal pathway into an excitatory pathway. Activation of low threshold mechanoreceptors activates spinal nociceptive neurons following inflammation-induced enhancement of NKCC1 expression, as measured by spinal c-Fos labeling.     

Loose ligation of the sciatic nerve is associated with TrkB receptor-dependent decreases in KCC2 protein levels in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn

Significant decreases in the protein levels of potassium-chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) were detected in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn 4 h following loose ligation of the sciatic nerve. These decreases were associated with a change in hindlimb weight distribution suggestive of pain behavior. In contrast, no changes in GABA-A receptor subunit alpha-1 levels were detected. The decreases in KCC2 coincided with a significant ipsilateral increase in BDNF protein levels. Both the decreases in KCC2 levels and the early pain behavior were prevented by intrathecal pre-treatment with the BDNF-sequestering TrkB/Fc chimera protein or the tyrosine kinase blocker K252a. The ligation-associated decreases in KCC2 levels were transient. In the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn of ligated animals exhibiting weight-bearing pain behavior 7 days after the ligation the KCC2 levels were identical to those in control or sham-operated animals. These data suggested that TrkB-dependent reduction in KCC2 protein levels in the spinal dorsal horn was an early consequence of peripheral nerve injury. This decrease in KCC2 may have elicited an early increase in overall dorsal horn neuronal excitability perhaps through a loss of GABA inhibition which is critically dependent on KCC2 activity. The increased neuronal excitability may in turn have caused enhanced and exaggerated communication between primary afferents and dorsal horn neurons to contribute to the early behavioral signs of pain.     

Distinct roles of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors in control of nociception and dorsal horn neurons in normal and nerve-injured Rats

Increased glutamatergic input to spinal dorsal horn neurons constitutes an important mechanism for neuropathic pain. However, the role of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in regulation of nociception and dorsal horn neurons in normal and neuropathic pain conditions is not fully known. In this study, we determined the effect of the group III mGluR specific agonist L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) on nociception and dorsal horn projection neurons in normal rats and a rat model of neuropathic pain. Tactile allodynia was induced by ligation of L5/L6 left spinal nerves in rats. Allodynia was determined by von Frey filaments in nerve-injured rats. The nociceptive threshold was tested using a radiant heat and a Randall-Selitto pressure device in normal rats. Single-unit activity of ascending dorsal horn neurons was recorded from the lumbar spinal cord in anesthetized rats. An intrathecal (5-30 microg) L-AP4 dose-dependently attenuated allodynia in nerve-injured rats but had no antinociceptive effect in normal rats. Topical spinal application of 5 to 50 microM L-AP4 also significantly inhibited the evoked responses of ascending dorsal horn neurons in nerve-ligated but not normal rats. Furthermore, blockade of spinal group III mGluRs significantly decreased the withdrawal threshold and increased the evoked responses of dorsal horn neurons in normal but not nerve-injured rats. These data suggest that group III mGluRs play distinct roles in regulation of nociception and dorsal horn neurons in normal and neuropathic pain states. Activation of spinal group III mGluRs suppresses allodynia and inhibits the hypersensitivity of dorsal horn projection neurons associated with neuropathic pain.     

电针对神经病理性疼痛大鼠痛觉过敏及脊髓背角钾-氯离子协同转运体2表达的影响

目的:观察患侧电针和健侧电针足三里穴、阳陵泉穴对神经病理性疼痛大鼠行为学表现以及脊髓背角钾-氯离子协同转运体2(KCC2)表达的影响,探讨患侧选穴和健侧选穴两种针刺方案的镇痛效应,以及KCC2在电针镇痛效应中的作用。方法:将40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组:假模组、模型组、患侧电针组、健侧电针组,每组10只。建立大鼠坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(CCI)模型,治疗组于术后1周开始电针治疗,每天1次,连续7天。各组于术前(0天)及术后3、5、7、10、12、14天分别测量大鼠患侧足机械足反射阈值(MWT)和热缩足反射潜伏期(TWL)。术后14天处死大鼠,取脊髓组织行HE染色观察组织病理学改变,并采用免疫组化方法检测脊髓背角KCC2蛋白的表达。结果:与术前比较,CCI各组大鼠痛阈明显降低,出现痛觉过敏(P0.001),电针治疗后大鼠MWT和TWL均有不同程度的持续升高,且患侧与健侧电针相比无明显差异。HE染色结果提示,患侧电针组与健侧电针组脊髓背角组织及神经元病变程度较模型组减轻。术后14天患侧与健侧电针组较模型组脊髓背角患侧KCC2表达显著增加(P0.05),并且患侧电针组与健侧电针组无明显差异。结论:患侧电针和健侧电针能产生类似的镇痛效果,均可减轻外周神经损伤后引起的痛觉过敏。患侧电针与健侧电针治疗均可抑制KCC2蛋白的表达下调,电针的镇痛作用可能是通过增加脊髓背角中KCC2的表达实现的。     

Homéostasie chlorure et cotransporteurs cation-chlorure, douleur et nociception

By regulating the anionic gradient, two cationchloride cotransporters, NKCC1, which promotes the entrance of chloride ions and KCC2, which promotes their exit, modulate the GABAergic system and control pain mechanisms. Following inflammation or nerve injury, the increase in NKCC1 activity among sensory neurons and/or the decrease in KCC2 expression in spinal neurons, leads to a loss of inhibitory tone and induces neuropathic pain.     

Spinal neural cyclooxygenase-2 mediates pain caused in a rat model of lumbar disk herniation.

Application of nucleus pulposus to nerve root generates radicular pain. We demonstrated that these animals showed allodynia for 2 weeks, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoreactivities were up-regulated in the spinal dorsal horn. COX-2 immunoreactivities were shown in neurons; however, they were not in astrocytes. Intrathecal administration of an antibody to COX-2 decreased allodynia. Our results suggest that COX-2 in spinal cord might be a target for treatment of patients with nerve root pain caused by lumbar disk herniation. PERSPECTIVE: Neural COX-2 might mediate nerve root pain in the spinal cord caused by lumbar disk herniation in rats.     

Gene transfer to interfere with TNFalpha signaling in neuropathic pain

We examined the role of spinal tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in neuropathic pain of peripheral nerve origin. Two weeks after selective L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL), rats exhibiting mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia showed a marked increase in full-length membrane-associated TNFalpha (mTNFalpha) in the dorsal horn of spinal cord, in the absence of detectable soluble TNFalpha peptide. Local release of the soluble p55 TNF receptor, achieved by herpes simplex virus vector-based gene transfer to dorsal root ganglion, resulted in a reduction of mTNFalpha and concomitant reductions in interleukin-1beta and phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase. Subcutaneous inoculation of soluble p55 TNF receptor expressing HSV vector into the plantar surface of the hind foot ipsilateral to the ligation 1 week before SNL delayed the development of both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia; subcutaneous inoculation into the hind foot ipsilateral to the ligation 1 week after SNL resulted in a statistically significant reduction in mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia that was apparent 1 week after inoculation. These results suggest a novel 'reverse signaling' through glial mTNFalpha, which may be exploited to downregulate the neuroimmune reaction in spinal cord to reduce chronic neuropathic pain.     

低频电疗对白鼠周围神经损伤后脊髓后角神经细胞活动电位的影响

背景迄今为止有关低频电疗缓解疼痛作用机制的研究寥寥无几,且有关低频电疗对脊髓后角神经细胞活动电位的影响尚不清楚.目的应用周围神经损伤的动物模型,观察低频电疗对被机械性刺激和温度刺激所引发的脊髓后角神经细胞活动电位(膜电位)的影响,并观察纳洛酮干预后的效应.设计随机对照动物实验.单位延边大学医学院附属医院神经内科.材料实验于2004-02/10在延边大学医学院中心实验室进行.取80只SD雄性白鼠,随机取60只手术分离出坐骨神经,将坐骨神经的2个分支胫神经和腓肠神经结扎后切断,留下腓神经作为实验组,其余20只经手术分离出坐骨神经后放原位,重新缝合皮肤作为对照组.方法①疼痛测定手术1周后用机械性刺激和温度刺激每5 s刺激大鼠一次,共刺激10次后测定躲避反应的频率(0%～40%为轻度疼痛,40%～70%为中度,70%以上为重度).②对照组和实验组中重度疼痛的大鼠测定自发的和被机械性刺激和温度刺激所引发的脊髓后角神经细胞膜电位.③实验组大鼠用环状电极在腿部进行经皮低频电刺激(电流3 mA,时间10 min,频率10 Hz),测定刺激前后脊髓后角神经细胞膜电位.④实验组低频电刺激的同时,经尾部静脉注射纳洛酮,测定注射纳洛酮前和注射10 min后脊髓后角神经细胞膜电位.结果经补充后80只大鼠进入结果分析.①实验组被机械性刺激和温度刺激所引发的躲避反应频率明显高于对照组(P＜0.01).②实验组被机械性刺激和温度刺激所引发的脊髓后角神经细胞膜电位明显高于对照组(P＜0.01).③实验组经低频电刺激10 min后,被机械性刺激和温度刺激所引发的脊髓后角神经细胞的膜电位明显低于刺激前[每10 s(102.6±0.86),(136.9±1.46)次;每10 s(175.2±1.28),(240.8±1.51)次,P＜0.01].④实验组注射纳洛酮10 min后,被机械性刺激和温度刺激所引发的脊髓后角神经细胞的膜电位明显高于注射前[每10 s(174.5±0.41),(235.4±1.41)次,P＜0.01].结论低频电刺激能有效抑制被无害刺激所引发的脊髓后角神经细胞的活动电位,且静脉注射纳洛酮(8 mg/kg)可使之逆转到治疗前的水平,说明低频电疗可能是刺激中枢神经系统使其分泌内源鸦片物质,作用于脊髓后角细胞使其活性降低,从而达到缓解疼痛的目的.