Antinociception with intrathecal alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine,a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A/2C receptor agonist,in two rat models of sustained pain

Type 2 serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT](2)) receptors in the spinal cord have been reported to mediate antinociception using pain threshold tests, but little is known about the actions of spinal 5-HT(2) receptors in sustained pain. In rats, we examined antinociceptive effects of the intrathecal administration of a 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonist, alpha-methyl-5-HT maleate (alpha-m-5-HT), using the formalin test and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. An intrathecal catheter was implanted for injection of drugs. In the formalin test, flinches were counted from Minute 1 to 2 and Minute 5 to 6 (Phase 1) and then for 1-min periods at 5-min intervals from 10 to 60 min (Phase 2). In rats with CCI, hind paw withdrawal latency after thermal stimulation was measured. In the formalin test, intrathecal administration of alpha-m-5-HT (1 to 100 microg) dose-dependently suppressed the number of flinches in both Phases 1 and 2. In the CCI model, intrathecally administered alpha-m-5-HT (10 to 100 microg) attenuated thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were reversed by intrathecal pretreatment with a 5-HT(2A/2C) antagonist, ketanserin (30 microg), or a muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine (30 microg). These findings suggest that spinal 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors mediate antinociception in inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain, and the muscarinic receptors contribute to this action. IMPLICATIONS: Activation of spinal 5-hydroxytryptamine(2A/2C) receptors mediate antinociception in rat-sustained pain models such as inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain, and spinal muscarinic receptors are involved in this action.     

Antinociceptive effect of intrathecal administration of taurine in rat models of neuropathic pain

Purpose

Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in many tissues. Although taurine has been shown to be antinociceptive, in this report, our focus is to elucidate the mechanism and action site on neuropathic pain. This study used behavioural assessments to determine whether taurine attenuates neuropathic pain in the spinal cord.

Methods

Chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve and streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy were introduced to male Sprague-Dawley rats. We then assessed the antinociceptive effect of spinal injections of taurine (100, 200, 400, or 800 μg) using electronic von Frey, paw pressure, and plantar tests. To explore the effect of taurine on motor function, a rotarod test was performed, and in order to determine which neurotransmitter pathway is involved in taurine’s action, we examined how several antagonists of spinal pain processing receptors altered the effect of taurine 400 μg in a paw pressure test.

Results

Taurine alleviated mechanical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermal hyperalgesia in CCI rats and suppressed mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in diabetic rats. Significant effects were observed at 200 μg in both models. On the other hand, taurine dose-dependently affected motor performance, and a significant effect was seen at 400 μg. The antinociceptive effects were reversed completely by pretreatment with an intrathecal injection of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that intrathecal administration of taurine attenuates different models of neuropathic pain, and these effects seem to be mediated by the activation of glycinergic neurotransmission. These findings suggest that taurine may be a candidate remedy for neuropathic pain.     

Role for cyclooxygenase 2 in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and spinal glial activation

BACKGROUND: Lines of evidence have indicated that cyclooxygenase 2 plays a role in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. However, the site and mechanism of its action are still unclear. Spinal glia has also been reported to mediate pathologic pain states. The authors evaluated the effect of continuous intrathecal or systemic cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and glial activation in a spinal nerve ligation model of rats. METHODS: Continuous intrathecal infusion of meloxicam (32 or 320 mug . kg . day) or saline was started immediately after L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated on days 4 and 7 postoperatively. Spinal astrocytic activation was evaluated with glial fibrially acidic protein immunoreactivity on day 7. In other groups of rats, continuous intrathecal meloxicam was started 7 days after spinal nerve ligation, and effects on established neuropathic pain and glial activation were evaluated. Last, effects of continuous systemic meloxicam (16 mg . kg . day) on existing neuropathic pain and glial activation were examined. RESULTS: Intrathecal meloxicam prevented the development of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by spinal nerve ligation. It also inhibited spinal glial activation responses. In contrast, when started 7 days after the nerve ligation, intrathecal meloxicam did not reverse established neuropathic pain and glial activation. Systemic meloxicam started 7 days after ligation partially reversed neuropathic behaviors but not glial activation. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cyclooxygenase 2 mediates the development but not the maintenance of neuropathic pain and glial activation in rats. Peripheral cyclooxygenase 2 plays a part in the maintenance of neuropathic pain.     

Intrathecal implants of microencapsulated xenogenic chromaffin cells provide a long-term source of analgesic substances

Adrenal medullary chromaffin cells secrete several neuroactive substances including catecholamines and opioid peptides that produce analgesic effects in the central nervous system. This study was designed to investigate whether intrathecal microencapsulated chromaffin cells could release analgesic materials producing antiallodynic effects on the chronic neuropathic pain in rats induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Prior to intrathecal implantation, chromaffin cells were encapsulated with alginate and poly-L-lysine to protect them from the host immune system. Behavior tests were performed before CCI, 1 week later, and at 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 days postimplantation. At the end of study, we performed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and implant retrieval. We observed that intrathecal implantation of encapsulated xenogenic chromaffin cells reduced the mechanical and cold allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain. CSF levels of catecholamines and metenkephalin in the rats that received implants were higher than the controls. In addition, we observed chronic survival of implants. These results suggested that intrathecal microencapsulated chromaffin cells may represent a new approach to chronic neuropathic pain management.     

Effect of methylprednisolone on neuropathic pain and spinal glial activation in rats

BACKGROUND: Basic data are lacking regarding the efficacy and mechanisms of action of corticosteroids in neuropathic pain. Because recent studies indicate that spinal glial activation mediates the pathologic pain states, the authors sought to determine the effects of systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and spinal glial activation in a rat model. METHODS: Rats were anesthetized, and L5 and L6 spinal nerves were tightly ligated. Then, continuous infusion of systemic (4 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) or intrathecal (80 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) methylprednisolone or saline was started. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated on days 4 and 7 postoperatively with von Frey and Hargreaves tests, respectively. Spinal astrocytic activation was evaluated with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity on day 7. In other groups of rats, continuous 3-day treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone or saline was started 7 days after spinal nerve ligation, when neuropathic pain had already developed. Behavioral tests and immunostaining were performed up to 3 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: Spinal nerve ligation induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia on days 4 and 7 postoperatively. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was remarkably enhanced on day 7. Both systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone inhibited the development of neuropathic pain states and glial activation. Three-day treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone reversed existing neuropathic pain state and glial activation up to 3 weeks after the treatment. CONCLUSION:: Systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone inhibited spinal glial activation and the development and maintenance of a neuropathic pain state in a rat model of spinal nerve ligation.     

Role for Cyclooxygenase 2 in the Development and Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain and Spinal Glial Activation

Background: Lines of evidence have indicated that cyclooxygenase 2 plays a role in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. However, the site and mechanism of its action are still unclear. Spinal glia has also been reported to mediate pathologic pain states. The authors evaluated the effect of continuous intrathecal or systemic cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and glial activation in a spinal nerve ligation model of rats.

Methods: Continuous intrathecal infusion of meloxicam (32 or 320 [mu]g [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] day-1) or saline was started immediately after L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated on days 4 and 7 postoperatively. Spinal astrocytic activation was evaluated with glial fibrially acidic protein immunoreactivity on day 7. In other groups of rats, continuous intrathecal meloxicam was started 7 days after spinal nerve ligation, and effects on established neuropathic pain and glial activation were evaluated. Last, effects of continuous systemic meloxicam (16 mg [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] day-1) on existing neuropathic pain and glial activation were examined.

Results: Intrathecal meloxicam prevented the development of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by spinal nerve ligation. It also inhibited spinal glial activation responses. In contrast, when started 7 days after the nerve ligation, intrathecal meloxicam did not reverse established neuropathic pain and glial activation. Systemic meloxicam started 7 days after ligation partially reversed neuropathic behaviors but not glial activation.     

Effect of Methylprednisolone on Neuropathic Pain and Spinal Glial Activation in Rats

Background: Basic data are lacking regarding the efficacy and mechanisms of action of corticosteroids in neuropathic pain. Because recent studies indicate that spinal glial activation mediates the pathologic pain states, the authors sought to determine the effects of systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and spinal glial activation in a rat model.

Methods: Rats were anesthetized, and L5 and L6 spinal nerves were tightly ligated. Then, continuous infusion of systemic (4 mg [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] day-1) or intrathecal (80 [mu]g [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] day-1) methylprednisolone or saline was started. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated on days 4 and 7 postoperatively with von Frey and Hargreaves tests, respectively. Spinal astrocytic activation was evaluated with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity on day 7. In other groups of rats, continuous 3-day treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone or saline was started 7 days after spinal nerve ligation, when neuropathic pain had already developed. Behavioral tests and immunostaining were performed up to 3 weeks after the treatment.

Results: Spinal nerve ligation induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia on days 4 and 7 postoperatively. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was remarkably enhanced on day 7. Both systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone inhibited the development of neuropathic pain states and glial activation. Three-day treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone reversed existing neuropathic pain state and glial activation up to 3 weeks after the treatment.     

鞘内注射P300 siRNA对神经病理性痛大鼠的镇痛效果

目的 评价鞘内注射p300小干扰RNA(p300siRNA)对神经病理性痛大鼠的镇痛效果.方法 取鞘内置管成功的雄性SD大鼠96只,采用坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤法(CCI)建立神经病理性痛模型,随机分为4组(n=24):假手术+生理盐水组(S组)、CCI+生理盐水组(CCI组)、CCI+转染试剂组(V组)和CCI+p300siRNA组(P组).于术后3～6 d时鞘内注射生理盐水、转染试剂或p300siRNA(siRNA 4μg溶于转染试剂)各20μl,2次/d,10μl/次,连续4 d.于术前1 d(基础状态)、术后1、3、5、7、9、11、14 d时测定机械痛阈和热痛阈;于术后3、7、14 d时取腰段脊髓,测定p300蛋白及其mRNA、乙酰化组蛋白H3(Ac-H3)的表达.结果 与基础值比较,CCI组、V组和P组术后各时点机械痛阈和热痛阈降低(P＜0.05).与S组比较,其余各组机械痛阈和热痛阈降低,p300蛋白及其mRNA和Ac-H3蛋白表达上调(P＜0.05).与CCI组比较,P组机械痛阈和热痛阈升高,p300蛋白及其mRNA和Ac-H3蛋白表达下调(P＜0.05).结论 鞘内注射p300 siRNA可减轻大鼠神经病理性痛,其机制与抑制脊髓p300和Ac-H3蛋白的表达有关.     

脊髓神经元型一氧化氮合酶在大鼠神经病理性痛中的作用

目的 探讨脊髓神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)在大鼠神经病理性痛中的作用.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠40只,体重220～280 g,采用结扎坐骨神经干的方法建立坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(CCI)模型.随机分为4组(n=10),Ⅰ组及Ⅱ组暴露坐骨神经干,分别于术后1 d开始鞘内注射选择性nNOS抑制剂7-NI 60 μg[溶于20%二甲基亚砜(DMSO)]10μl)、20%DMSO 10μl,1次/d,连续6d;Ⅲ组及Ⅳ组制备CCI模型,分别于术后1 d开始鞘内注射7-NI 60μg(溶于20%DMSO 10μl)、20%DMSO 10 μl,1次/d,连续6 d.分别于CCI前1 d、CCI后1、3、5、7 d时测定大鼠机械痛阈和热痛阈.于CCI后7 d,各组分别取5只大鼠,取术侧L_(4～6)背根神经节,分别采用实时定量PCR和Western blot法测定nNOS mRNA及蛋白的表达水平.结果 与Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组比较,T_(1～4)时Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组术侧后肢机械痛阈和热痛阈降低(P＜0.05),背根神经节nNOS蛋白及mRNA的表达上调(P＜0.05);与Ⅲ组比较,T_(1～4)时Ⅳ组机械痛阈和热痛阈降低,背根神经节nNOS蛋白及mRNA的表达上调(P＜0.05).结论 脊髓nNOS参与了大鼠神经病理性痛的形成.     

鞘内注射DREAM-shRNA对神经病理性痛大鼠的镇痛效应

目的 评价鞘内注射转录因子下游调控元件拮抗因子-短发夹RNA(DREAM-shRNA)对神经病理性痛大鼠的镇痛效应.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠,体重280-320g,采用坐骨神经慢性缩窄性损伤(CCI)法建立大鼠神经病理性痛模型,于CCI后第3天鞘内置管.取鞘内置管成功的大鼠24只,随机分为4组,每组6只,假手术组(Sham组):仅暴露坐骨神经,不结扎;神经病理性痛组(NP组):于CCI后第8天鞘内注射生理盐水10μl;RNA干扰组(RNAi组):于CCI后第8天鞘内注射含DREAM-shRNA的慢病毒5μl、生理盐水5μl;空白载体组(BV组):于CCI后第8天鞘内注射慢病毒空白载体5μl、生理盐水5μl,连续注射7d.于CCI前1d(基础状态)、CCI后第7～14天(T1-8)测定热痛阈和机械痛阈,于CCI后第15天测定脊髓背角绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的表达水平.结果 与基础值比较,NP组和BV组热痛阈降低,Sham组T1-4时热痛阈降低,RNAi组T1-4,6时热痛阈降低,4组CCI后各时点机械痛阈降低(P<0.05或0.01);与T1时比较,NP组和BV组其余时点热痛阈和机械痛阈降低.RNAi组T3-5,时热痛阈降低,T1时热痛阈和机械痛阈升高(P<0.05或0.01);与Sham组比较.NP组和BV组热痛阈和机械痛阈降低,RNAi组T2时机械痛阈降低,T5时升高(P<0.05),热痛阈差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与NP组比较.RNAi组热痛阈和机械痛阈升高(P<0.05).仅RNAi组脊髓背角有GFP表达,其余3组脊髓背角未见GFP表达.结论 鞘内连续注射DREAM-shRNA可在一定程度上缓解大鼠神经病理性痛.     

NMDA antagonist peptide supplementation enhances pain alleviation by adrenal medullary transplants

Spinal transplantation of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells has been shown to decrease pain responses in several animal models. Improved potency may be possible by engineering cells to produce greater levels of naturally derived analgesics. As an initial screen for potential candidates, adrenal medullary transplants were evaluated in combination with exogenously administered neuropeptides in rodent pain models. Histogranin is a 15-amino acid peptide that exhibits NMDA receptor antagonist activity. The stable derivative [Ser1]histogranin (SHG) can attenuate pain symptoms in some animal models. The formalin model for neurogenic inflammatory pain and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model for neuropathic pain were used to evaluate the combined effects of chromaffin cell transplantation and intrathecal (IT) SHG injections. Animals were implanted with either adrenal medullary or control striated muscle tissue in the spinal subarachnoid space. For evaluation of formalin responses, animals were pretreated with SHG (0.5, 1.0, 3.0 microg) followed by an intraplantar injection of formalin, and flinching responses were quantified. Pretreatment with SHG had no significant effect on flinching behavior in control animals at lower doses, with incomplete attenuation only at the highest dose. In contrast, 0.5 microg SHG significantly reduced flinching responses in animals with adrenal medullary transplants, and 1.0 microg nearly completely eliminated flinching in these animals in the tonic phase. For evaluation of effects on neuropathic pain, animals received transplants 1 week following CCI, and were tested for thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and cold allodynia before and following SHG treatment. The addition of low doses of SHG nearly completely eliminated neuropathic pain symptoms in adrenal medullary transplanted animals, while in control transplanted animals only thermal hyperalgesia was attenuated, at the highest dose of SHG. These results suggest that SHG can augment adrenal medullary transplants, and the combination may result in improved effectiveness and range in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes.     

A prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype EP1 receptor antagonist (ONO-8711) reduces hyperalgesia, allodynia, and c-fos gene expression in rats with chronic nerve constriction

Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in rats induces persistent mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia. CCI is widely known as a model of neuropathic pain, and many studies using this model have been reported. Recently, c-fos has been used as a neural marker of pain, and various studies have assessed the relationship between hyperalgesia and c-fos expression in the lumbar spinal cord. In this study, we examined the role of a prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype EP1 receptor antagonist (ONO-8711) in a rat CCI model. EP1 receptor antagonist (EP1-ra) oral administration from day 8 to day 14 significantly reduced hyperalgesia and allodynia in the three pain tests on day 15. EP1-ra treatment from day 8 to 14 also reduced c-fos-positive cells in laminae I-II, III-IV, and V-X compared with saline treatment. A single dose of EP1-ra treatment on day 8 significantly reduced hyperalgesia and allodynia at 1 h and 2 h after administration, but the efficacy was not observed at 24 h. We conclude that EP1-ra treatment may be useful for hyperalgesia and allodynia and that EP1 receptor mechanisms are involved in the maintenance of c-fos gene expression induced by nerve injury. IMPLICATIONS: We examined whether a prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype EP1 receptor antagonist abrogates neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury model in rats. The EP1 receptor antagonist significantly reduced hyperalgesia, allodynia, and c-fos positive cells. These findings suggested that EP1 receptor antagonists may have a role in treatment of neuropathic pain.     

Expression of neuron-associated tumor necrosis factor alpha in the brain is increased during persistent pain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence implicates the pleiotropic cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in the pathogenesis of persistent pain. The present study employs a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain to examine TNFalpha production in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery in this pain model. METHODS: CCI-induced hyperalgesia is assessed by measuring the nociceptive threshold using the hot-plate test. The development of hyperalgesia is correlated to levels of TNFalpha by assessing: bioactive TNFalpha in homogenates of sciatic nerves, cervical spinal cord, thoracolumbar spinal cord, as well as in plasma using the WEHI-13 variant cytotoxicity bioassay; and mRNA for TNFalpha in sections of locus coeruleus by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: We have previously demonstrated that TNFalpha bioactivity in the region of the brainstem containing the locus coeruleus is increased concurrent with the development of hyperalgesia, returning to baseline values by day 14, when hyperalgesia has ceased. Constitutive levels of TNFalpha are demonstrated in the plasma, sciatic nerves, and cervical and thoracolumbar spinal cord of control rats, sham-operated rats, and rats undergoing CCI. Levels of TNFalpha are significantly elevated in the injured sciatic nerve by day 8 postligature placement, concurrent with maximal hyperalgesia, and remain elevated when hyperalgesia has abated at day 14 postligature placement. Additionally, TNFalpha activity is increased in the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord by day 4 postligature placement and remains elevated during hyperalgesia (day 8), as well as after hyperalgesia has dissipated (day 14). The increase in TNFalpha expression is specific to discrete regions of the CNS, rather than being the result of a systemic inflammatory response, since TNFalpha bioactivity in plasma is, in fact, decreased in rats undergoing CCI. Additionally, accumulation of mRNA specific for TNFalpha is significantly increased in neurons within a region of the brain containing the locus coeruleus at days 2, 8, and 14 postligature placement, contemporaneous with the development of hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS: The increases in TNFalpha within regions of the brain and spinal cord that are associated with adrenergic neuron function, as well as with modulation of pain perception, and the time course and distribution of the increases in TNFalpha accumulation support a neuromodulatory role for TNFalpha within the CNS in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.     

可乐定对慢性神经病理性痛大鼠背根神经节GAP-43 mRNA表达的影响

目的 探讨可乐定对慢性神经病理性痛大鼠生长相关蛋白(GAP-43)mRNA表达的影响.方法 雄性成年SD大鼠36只,体重180～220 g,随机分为假手术组(S组)、慢性压迫性损伤组(CCI组)和可乐定组(CL组),每组12只.采用结扎坐骨神经法制备慢性压迫性损伤模型,S组仅暴露坐骨神经,不结扎.CL组于坐骨神经结扎术后3～14 d每天腹腔注射可乐定1 mg/kg.S组和CCI组腹腔注射生理盐水1 ml.于术前、术后3、7、14 d时测定机械痛阈和热痛阈,术后3、7、14 d测定痛阈后随机取4只大鼠断头处死,取腰段脊髓(L_(4～6))及背根神经节,采用RT-PCR法检测GAP-43 mRNA的表达水平.结果 与S组比较,CCI组和CL组术后机械痛阈和热痛阈降低,背根神经节GAP-43 mRNA表达上调(P<0.05);与CCI组比较,CL组术后7、14 d时机械痛阈和热痛阈升高,背根神经节GAP-43 mRNA表达下调(P<0.05).结论 坐骨神经结扎术后3～14 d每天腹腔注射可乐定1 mg/kg可有效减轻大鼠慢性神经病理性痛,其机制可能与其抑制背根神经节GAP-43 mRNA表达上调有关.     

Implications of intrathecal pertussis toxin animal model on the cellular mechanisms of neuropathic pain syndrome

Like opioid tolerance, neuropathic pain syndrome manifested by hyperalgesia and allodynia responds poorly to opioids. Hitherto, its development is still not clear and its treatment and prevention are still disputable. Pertussis toxin (PTX) which ADP-ribosylates the alpha-subunit of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (Gi/Go), is used to induce morphine tolerance through intrathecal (i.t.) injection. It decreases the antinociceptive effect of opioid receptor agonists, and produces a thermal hyperalgesia as well. With treatment of PTX the inhibitory Gi- and Go-proteins signal transduction is inactivated. Inhibition of the inhibitory system would likely lead to a predominance of the excitatory system. Intrathecal PTX administration has also been suggested as a model for study of the central mechanisms of neuropathic pain. In our previous studies, with intrathecal microdialysis and drug delivery techniques, we correlated the biochemical and pharmacological effects on the behavioral expressions of i.t. PTX-treated rats. Intrathecal PTX administration would induce thermal hyperalgesia in rats, with accompaniments of a prolonged increase in the concentrations of excitatory amino acids (EAAs), glutamate and aspartate, and a decrease in the concentration of the inhibitory amino acid (IAA) glycine in the spinal CSF dialysates. The PTX-induced thermal hyperalgesia peaked between day 2 and 4, but no cold allodynia is observed; i.t. administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosponovaleric acid (D-AP5), glycine and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine attenuated the thermal hyperalgesia. The PKC gamma content of both synaptosomal and cytosolic fractions were significantly increased in PTX-treated rats. In contrast, the levels of PKC alpha, beta I, or beta II isozymes in these fractions were unaffected. Infusion of NMDA antagonist D-AP5 prevented both the thermal hyperalgesia and the increase in PKC gamma expression in PTX-treated rats. Similar to our previous report, i.t. PTX reduced morphine's analgesic effect. PKC inhibitor chelerythrine attenuated this reduction of morphine's analgesia, and an inhibition of the morphine-evoked EAAs release was observed in PTX-treated rats as well. Taken together, i.t. PTX-induced neuropathic pain syndrome is accompanied by increasing of EAAs, decreasing of IAA release, and a selective increasing of PKC gamma expression in the spinal cord. Inhibition of PKC not only blocked thermal hyperalgesia, but also reversed the reduction of morphine's analgesic effect in PTX-rats. These results suggest that PTX-induced neuropathic pain syndromes are involved in EAAs, IAAs and PKC alternations.     

Inhibition of microRNA-19a-3p alleviates the neuropathic pain (NP) in rats after chronic constriction injury (CCI) via targeting KLF7

Background/purposeNeuropathic pain(NP) is derived from the dysfunctions of nerve system. The current research is to explore the impact and mechanism of miR-19a-3p in neuropathic pain in rats.MethodsThe NP was induced through the chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery in rats. The pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in spinal cord tissues from rats were measured using Elisa kits. Moreover, the different levels of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in rats were examined through paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT). To investigate into the role of miR-19a-3p and KLF7 in NP of rats, the knockdown of miR-19a-3p alone or along with KLF7 downregulation in rats were achieved through lentivirus injection. The miR-19a-3p and KLF7 expression in spinal cord of rats on Day 3,7,14 after CCI were detected using RT-qPCR. The protein expression of KLF7 were measured by Western blot. Bioinformatics and luciferase assays were used for the prediction and verification of bindings between KLF7 and miR-19a-3p.ResultsCCI surgery caused neuropathic pain in rats with the levels of inflammatory cytokines increased and PWL and PWT decreased. Moreover, miR-19a-3p expression was increased while the protein and mRNA levels were decreased in spinal cord tissues in rats after CCI surgery. In rat microglial cells, miR-19a-3p downregulation could promote the KLF7 in both mRNA and protein expression. In spinal cord tissues of rats, the inhibition of miR-19a-3p enhanced the KLF7 expression. Furthermore, miR-19a-3p downregulation suppressed the IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations, and could decrease the NP but inhibition of KLF7 could partially reverse this in CCI rats.ConclusionmiR-19a-3p inhibition may alleviate NP via KLF7 in CCI rats.     

Intrathecal implantation of microencapsulated PC12 cells reduces cold allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain

The transplantation of cells into the central nervous system provides a constant and replenishable source of analgesic substances for the alleviation of chronic pain. In the present study, PC12 cells were microencapsulated in a semipermeable membrane that protected the cells from the host's immune system. A chronic neuropathic pain model was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats with CCI were divided randomly into two groups: the cell-loaded group received microencapsulated PC12 cells (n = 15) and the control group received empty capsules (n = 15). The microcapsules were implanted into the lumbar subarachnoid space. After implantation, a significant reduction of cold allodynia was observed in the rats of the cell-loaded group at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days compared to the control group with the empty capsules (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of catecholamines and met-enkephalin in the cerebrospinal fluid of rats in the cell-loaded group were higher than the levels in the controls (P < 0.05). These results suggest that intrathecal microencapsulated PC12 cells could be a useful method for chronic neuropathic pain management.     

Only early intervention with gamma-aminobutyric acid cell therapy is able to reverse neuropathic pain after partial nerve injury

Pharmacological treatment for neuropathic pain, although often effective for brief periods, can result in intractable persistent pain with certain patients. Cell therapy for neuropathic pain is a newly developing technology useful for an examination of enhanced normal sensory function after nerve injury with the placement of cells near the spinal cord, and grafts of immortalized cells bioengineered to chronically supply the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been used to reverse the chronic pain behaviors. However, it is not known whether there is a therapeutic window for the use of intervention with cell therapy after partial nerve injury. To investigate whether neuropathic pain is sensitive to the timing of placement of cell grafts, neuronal cells bioengineered to synthesize GABA were transplanted in the lumbar subarachnoid space one to four weeks after unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and sensory behaviors were evaluated before and after CCI and transplants. Both thermal hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia were reversed when transplants were placed either one or two weeks after partial nerve injury, compared to maintenance of these behaviors with the injury alone. However, if GABA cells were placed any later than 2 weeks after nerve injury, such intervention was ineffective to reverse the thermal and tactile hypersensitivities induced by the injury. This suggests that altered spinal GABA levels may contribute to the early development of chronic neuropathic pain and that early intervention with cellular therapy to restore GABA may prevent the development of that pain.