ClC-3在神经病理性痛大鼠脊髓背角及背根神经节的表达及其参与痛行为调控的研究

目的:观察电压门控性氯通道(voltage-gated chloride channel,ClC)3型在腓总神经结扎神经病理性痛模型大鼠脊髓背角(spinal dorsal horn,SDH)和背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)内的表达变化及阻断氯离子通道后痛行为的改变。方法:应用免疫组织化学染色法、蛋白印迹法以及痛行为检测观察ClC-3在神经病理性痛大鼠SDH和DRG的变化和作用。结果:在正常大鼠,ClC-3主要位于DRG神经元胞膜;在SDH,ClC-3阳性纤维主要位于Ⅰ层。在腓总神经结扎大鼠,1周内结扎侧背角Ⅰ层及DRG的ClC-3表达增加,2～4周表达逐渐减少,在DRG也观察到相同的现象。给予氯离子通道阻断剂后,腓总神经结扎大鼠的痛阈下降。结论:ClC-3在神经病理性痛早期表达上调,随病程发展逐渐下降;阻断ClC-3可使大鼠痛阈下降。     

内质网应激特有的caspase-12在神经病理性疼痛大鼠脊髓背角的表达

目的:检测内质网应激特有caspase-12凋亡途径与神经病理性疼痛模型大鼠脊髓背角神经元凋亡之间的关系。方法:SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham)和坐骨神经慢性压迫(CCI)模型组。检测大鼠在手术前及术后21 d的热痛敏和机械痛敏;CCI术后21 d,免疫组织化学检测大鼠脊髓背角内葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、caspase-12和caspase-3的表达;TUNEL法检测脊髓背角内细胞的凋亡。结果:与假手术组相比,模型组的热痛敏和机械痛敏在术后均明显下降,脊髓背角内GRP78、caspase-12和caspase-3的表达均增高,凋亡染色阳性细胞数目也较多。结论:坐骨神经慢性压迫模型大鼠脊髓背角内神经元凋亡的途径之一是内质网应激特有caspase-12介导的,可能与神经病理性疼痛的发生、发展有关。     

NR2B参与脊髓损伤致慢性疼痛的机制研究

目的:研究N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(NMDA)受体2B型受体(NR2B)参与脊髓损伤后慢性神经病理性痛的机制。方法:制作脊髓半横断大鼠模型,von Frey纤维丝测量机械性刺激缩足阈值变化,Western Blot观察脊髓背角NR2B表达时程变化;同时采用行为药理学方法,鞘内给予NR2B特异性拮抗剂ifenprodil,观察对机械性刺激缩足阈值及NR2B表达的影响。结果:脊髓半横断术后大鼠双侧后足出现触诱发痛状态,NR2B在腰段脊髓双侧背角表达上调。鞘内给予ifenprodil逆转了大鼠的痛敏状态,伴随着NR2B在脊髓背角表达下调。结论:NR2B可能参与脊髓损伤后慢性神经病理性痛的发生发展,特异性拮抗NR2B可能是临床治疗脊髓损伤致慢性神经病理性痛的潜在策略。     

c-fos反义寡核苷酸探针对大鼠炎性痛和神经病理性痛的影响

研究c-fos反义寡核苷酸探针(antisense oligodeoxynucleotides,ASO)对大鼠炎性痛和神经病理性痛的作用效果,为临床慢性疼痛的治疗提供理论依据。以大鼠足底注射福尔马林(formalin)致炎性痛模型和腰5脊神经结扎(spinal nerve ligation,SNL)诱导神经病理性痛模型为基础,分别观察鞘内给予c-fosASO对两种模型大鼠的行为学及腰5脊髓背角Fos阳性神经元表达的影响。行为学检测结果表明:和正义探针(SO)组以及生理盐水(NS)对照组相比,鞘内预先给予c-fosASO后,大鼠足底注射福尔马林引起自发缩足反射次数和SNL诱导的机械性缩足反射阈值(mechanical withdrawal threshold,MWT)和热缩足反射潜伏期(thermal withdrawal latency,TWL)均有明显缓解(P<0.05),而c-fosASO不能逆转SNL诱导的神经病理性痛。免疫荧光组织化学染色结果发现:和对照组相比,鞘内给予c-fosASO能显著抑制福尔马林和SNL诱导的大鼠腰髓背角Fos阳性神经元的增加。上述结果提示,脊髓背角c-fos的活化对于炎性痛和神经病理性痛的发展都有显著意义,而抑制其活化在预防阶段比治疗阶段对慢性疼痛的缓解作用更为显著。     

脊髓背角星形胶质细胞内PAPR-1/TNF-α通路参与脊神经结扎模型大鼠神经病理性痛的机制研究

目的观察PAPR-1/TNF-α信号通路在脊神经结扎模型大鼠脊髓背角星形胶质细胞内的表达情况,并探究其与神经病理性痛的发生发展关系。方法将大鼠第5腰神经(L5)进行结扎构建慢性神经病理性痛模型,Von-Frey细丝检测各组大鼠的机械性痛阈值,免疫组织化学染色和Western blot技术半定量和定量分析脊髓背角内PAPR-1和TNF-α的表达情况。结果与正常组相比,假手术组大鼠疼痛阈值未见显著改变(P0.05),脊神经结扎后大鼠的术侧后足的疼痛阈值显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),且在术后2周内,疼痛阈值均保持在较低水平。免疫荧光组织化学染色结果显示,PAPR-1和TNF-α主要表达于脊髓背角内星形胶质细胞中,Western blot结果进一步显示,造模后大鼠脊髓背角内GFAP、PAPR-1及TNF-α水平显著高于正常组和假手术组(P0.05)。结论 PAPR-1/TNF-α信号通路主要表达于脊髓背角内星形胶质细胞中,且在慢性神经病理性痛的维持阶段保持较高表达水平,可能参与了慢性痛的发生和发展,临床治疗中具有一定的理论参考意义。     

内质网应激介导的JNK通路在大鼠神经病理性疼痛中的作用

目的:检测内质网应激介导的JNK通路在坐骨神经慢性压迫(CCI)模型大鼠中的作用。方法:SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham)和模型组(CCI)。CCI前、后1、3、5、7、14 d测定大鼠的热痛敏和机械痛敏;CCI后14 d,免疫组织化学检测大鼠脊髓背角内葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)、p-JNK、caspase-3和胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的表达;TUNEL法检测脊髓背角内的细胞凋亡。结果:与假手术组相比,模型组的热痛敏和机械痛敏在术后均明显下降,脊髓背角内GRP78、p-JNK、caspase-3和GFAP的表达均增高,凋亡染色阳性细胞数目也较多。结论:内质网应激介导的p-JNK途径参与了神经病理性疼痛模型大鼠脊髓背角内神经元凋亡,可能与星形胶质细胞的活化有关。     

大鼠脊髓背角内FOS和NDP阳性神经元的分布与联系(英文)

本文应用还原性尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸脱氢酶（NDP）组织化学和原癌即刻早期基因c-fos表达产物Fos免疫细 胞化学方法，观察了大鼠脊髓背角内 NDP和 Fos阳性神经元的分布与联系。一侧足跖部皮下注射福尔马林后，同侧背角内可见大量Fos阳性细胞，而对侧背角内未见或偶见Fos阳性细胞。在背角各层中，大多数Fos阳性细胞分布于Ⅰ层及Ⅱ层外带的内侧部．背角内也可见大量NDP阳性胞体，纤维和终末，密集分布于Ⅱ层内带。双标结果说明部分背用内的Fos阳性细胞也是NDP阳性，双标神经元主要分布于区层的内侧部。在Ⅱ层内，Fos阳性细胞周围常有NDP阳性纤维和终末分布，部分NDP阳性终未直接附着干Fos阳性细胞膜上。本文结果为NO参与脊髓内伤害性刺激信息传递过程提供了形态学证据。     

CGRP样阳性终末在脊神经结扎模型大鼠脊髓背角浅层内的表达变化

目的:观察降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-related peptide,CGRP)样阳性终末在L5脊神经结扎模型大鼠脊髓背角浅层内的表达变化。方法:建立大鼠L5脊神经结扎模型(L5 spinal nerve ligation model,SNL),建模后分别在1、3、5、7 d和14 d不同时间点通过von Frey丝检测大鼠后爪的机械性痛敏,然后在大鼠分别存活7 d和14 d时灌注取材,采用免疫组织化学染色结合平均光密度(optical density,OD)分析的方法以及免疫电镜标记技术检测脊髓背角浅层内CGRP样阳性物质的表达变化。结果:(1)行为学结果显示:模型组大鼠的机械性痛敏的阈值明显降低,与正常组比较有显著性差异(p<0.05),提示建模成功;(2)免疫组织化学染色显示:正常大鼠脊髓背角浅层内存在大量密集分布的CGRP样阳性终末,主要分布于脊髓背角的I层和II层。SNL模型大鼠在结扎7 d和14 d后脊髓背角浅层内CGRP样阳性产物的表达明显增多,其平均OD值分别为38.30±3.11和35.70±2.36,与正常对照组(25.10±2.30)比较,具有显著性差异(P<0.05);(3)电镜结果显示:CGRP样免疫活性物质只分布于轴突终末内,且主要与树突结构形成非对称性突触。结论:CGRP样免疫阳性物质在SNL模型大鼠脊髓背角浅层内的表达增加,提示CGRP样阳性终末在伤害性信息的传递中具有重要作用。     

曲古抑菌素A通过抑制脊髓背角内的炎症反应减轻大鼠神经病理性痛

目的:观察曲古抑菌素A (TSA)对脊神经结扎(SNL)大鼠镇痛效果及分子机制。方法:40只健康雄性Sprague Dawley(SD)大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham)、曲古抑菌素A处理组(TSA)、脊神经结扎组(SNL)和SNL+TSA组(SNL+TSA)。采用L5脊神经结扎(SNL)的方法建立神经病理性痛模型,鞘内注射TSA进行干预,通过von Frey丝和热板实验检测大鼠的痛敏,应用免疫荧光染色方法观察大鼠脊髓背角内HDAC1的表达情况;应用Western Blot方法观察大鼠脊髓背角内胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和离子钙接头蛋白分子1(Iba-1)的表达水平;应用real time RT-PCR方法检测大鼠脊髓背角内TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的mRNA表达水平。结果:SNL模型大鼠术后机械性痛阈值和热痛阈值均显著降低(P 0.05),鞘内给予TSA能够明显缓解大鼠患侧后足机械性痛敏和热痛敏; SNL模型大鼠脊髓背角内HDAC1的表达较对照组明显增加,而鞘内注射TSA可显著抑制其表达; SNL术后脊髓背角内GFAP和Iba-1的表达显著升高(P 0.05),鞘内给予TSA能够明显下调GFAP和Iba-1的表达; SNL术后大鼠脊髓背角内TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的表达较对照组明显上调(P 0.05),而鞘内给予TSA能够显著逆转这一趋势。结论:鞘内给予TSA能够通过抑制脊髓HDAC1表达缓解大鼠神经病理性痛。     

雷公藤内酯醇(T10)通过抑制脊髓背角内p38-MAPK的磷酸化发挥镇痛作用的机制研究

目的:观察鞘内给予雷公藤内酯(triptolide,T10)对于慢性炎性痛和神经病理性痛模型大鼠脊髓背角小胶质细胞内p38丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)的磷酸化水平的影响。方法:采用大鼠足底注射完全弗式佐剂(complete Freund’s adjuvant,CFA)构建慢性炎性痛模型,L5脊神经结扎(spinal nerve ligation,SNL)和坐骨神经分支选择性结扎(spared nerve injury,SNI)的方法制作慢性神经病理性痛模型。利用von Frey丝刺激法连续观察造模后大鼠的痛行为变化;应用免疫荧光染色方法观察大鼠腰膨大节段胶质纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)和电离钙绑定衔接分子1(ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1,Iba-1)的表达水平;应用Western Blot方法观察大鼠腰膨大节段p38 MAPK的磷酸化水平。结果:(1)行为学结果显示:CFA、SNL、SNI模型大鼠机械性痛阈均明显降低,且术后一周内与正常对照组相比均保持在较低水平(P0.01)。从术后第1 d起鞘内连续给予T10至第7 d,分别观察到T10能够明显提高上述模型大鼠手术侧后足的机械性痛阈(P0.05);但T10在SNL模型和SNI模型大鼠中的效果要弱于CFA引起的慢性炎性痛(P0.05)。(2)免疫荧光染色结果显示:CFA、SNL和SNI模型大鼠腰膨大脊髓背角内GFAP、Iba-1的表达明显高于正常对照组,而p-p38 MAPK阳性产物主要表达于小胶质细胞内。(3)Western Blot结果显示:造模后7 d脊髓背角内p-p38 MAPK的表达明显上调,鞘内给予T10后可以显著下调脊髓背角内p38的磷酸化水平(P0.05)。结论:鞘内给予T10有效缓解由于CFA、SNL和SNI诱导的慢性痛模型大鼠的机械性痛阈的机制可能是通过下调脊髓背角内p38 MAPK信号通路的磷酸化水平,进而达到抑制小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞的活化。其次,T10对不同类型的疼痛模型的作用效果存在差异,对由CFA引起的慢性炎性痛的作用效果要强于由SNL和SNI诱导的慢性神经病理性痛。     

Differential expression of synaptoporin and synaptophysin in primary sensory neurons and up-regulation of synaptoporin after peripheral nerve injury

Synaptoporin and synaptophysin are integral membrane components of synaptic vesicles. The distribution of synaptoporin and its relationship with synaptophysin in sensory afferent fibers remain unclear. In the present study, we showed that in the rat dorsal root ganglia synaptoporin was expressed in subsets of small neurons that contain either calcitonin gene-related peptide or isolectin B4, and was distributed in their afferent terminals in laminae I-II of the spinal cord. Synaptophysin was expressed in 57% of synaptoporin-containing small dorsal root ganglion neurons and in large dorsal root ganglion neurons. In the spinal dorsal horn, synaptophysin-immunolabeling was weak in the afferent fibers in lamina I, outer lamina II and the dorsal part of inner lamina II, but strong in the afferent fibers in laminae III-IV. However, a subpopulation of isolectin B4-positive small dorsal root ganglion neurons expressed both synaptoporin and synaptophysin, and their afferent fibers were mainly distributed in the ventral part of inner lamina II. After peripheral nerve injury, synaptoporin expression was up-regulated in small dorsal root ganglion neurons, and synaptoporin level was increased in their afferent terminals. Thus, synaptoporin and synaptophysin have topographically distinct distributions in afferent fibers. Synaptoporin is a major synaptic vesicle protein in Adelta- and C-fibers in both physiological and neuropathic pain states.     

大鼠坐骨神经受压和解压后背根节和脊髓内神经元nNOS表达的变化

目的 :观察坐骨神经受压及解压后大鼠腰段背根节和脊髓内神经元型一氧化氮合酶 (nNOS)表达的变化 ,借以探讨外周神经源性痛的发病和影响机制。方法 :大鼠随机分为压迫组、解压组和对照组 ,采用聚乙烯管压迫坐骨神经的动物模型 ,用免疫细胞化学方法并结合计算机图像分析进行研究。结果 :与对照组比较 ,压迫组和解压组腰4～ 6背根节中nNOS的表达显著增加 ,相应节段脊髓背角的表达则明显降低 ;解压组与压迫组比较 ,背根节中nNOS的表达明显减少 ,而脊髓背角的已经下调的nNOS表达则回升 ,但仍然低于对照组水平。结论 :NO可能与神经源性痛时在中枢和外周的痛觉敏感性形成和神经系统长时程改变有关。     

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rat dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord and gracile nuclei in experimental models of neuropathic pain.

Chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve and lumbar L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation provide animal models for pain syndromes accompanying peripheral nerve injury and disease. In the present study, we evaluated changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity in the rat L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and areas where afferents from the DRG terminates (the L4/5 spinal cord and gracile nuclei) in these experimental models of neuropathic pain. Chronic constriction injury induced significant increase in the percentage of small, medium and large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons in the ipsilateral L4 and L5 DRG. Following spinal nerve ligation, the percentage of large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons increased significantly, and that of small BDNF-immunoreactive neurons decreased markedly in the ipsilateral L5 DRG, while that of BDNF-immunoreactive L4 DRG neurons of all sizes showed marked increase. Both chronic constriction injury and spinal nerve ligation induced significant increase in the number of BDNF-immunoreactive axonal fibers in the superficial and deeper laminae of the L4/5 dorsal horn and the gracile nuclei on the ipsilateral side.Considering that BDNF may modulate nociceptive sensory inputs and that injection of antiserum to BDNF significantly reduces the sympathetic sprouting in the DRG and allodynic response following sciatic nerve injury, our results also may suggest that endogenous BDNF plays an important role in the induction of neuropathic pain after chronic constriction injury and spinal nerve ligation. In addition, the increase of BDNF in L4 DRG may contribute to evoked pain which is known to be mediated by input from intact afferent from L4 DRG following L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation.     

Upregulation of neuregulin-1 reverses signs of neuropathic pain in rats

Background: Peripheral nerve injury can result in neuropathic pain, a chronic condition of unclear cause often poorly responsive to current treatments. One possibility is that nerve injury disrupts large A-fiber-mediated inhibition of C-fiber-evoked responses in spinal dorsal horn neurons, leading to central sensitization. A recent study provided a potential molecular mechanism; large dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons secrete neuregulin-1 (NRG1), which binds to erbB4 receptors on interneurons and promotes GABA release to inhibit C-fiber-evoked nociceptive transmission. Thus, reduced NRG1 expression following nerve injury could induce chronic pain by disinhibition. We examined if DRG expression of NRG1 is in fact reduced in a rat model of neuropathic pain and if exogenous NRG1 alleviates behavioral signs of this condition. Methods: Three neuropathic pain models were established in rats: spared nerve injury of the tibial and common peroneal nerves (SNI model), intraplantar injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA model), and subcutaneous formalin injection. NRG1 expression was assessed by immunofluorescent staining, hyperalgesia by paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation, and pain-like behavior by spontaneous flinching. Results: NRG1 protein immunoreactivity was reduced in the rat DRG after SNI. Intrathecal administration of neuregulin-1beta 1 (NRG1-1), a 62 amino acid NRG1 mimetic, transiently increased paw withdrawal threshold in SNI model and reduced flinching in the formalin injection model. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with a model of neuropathic pain whereby peripheral nerve injury reduces NRG1-mediated inhibition of nociceptive signaling. Modulating NRG1 may have therapeutic potential for treating neuropathic pain.     

Cyclo-oxygenase-2-immunoreactive neurons in the lumbar dorsal horn in a chicken acute inflammation model

Acute and chronic peripheral inflammation is known to induce the expression of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 in spinal cord neurons and increase the synthesis and release of prostaglandins (PG). Although these PG are presumed to cause inflammatory pain or hyperalgesia, the relationship between PG-producing cells in the dorsal horn and substance P (SP)-containing, pain-transmittimg nerve fibers remains unknown. In the present study we investigated immunohistochemically changes in the number of COX-2-containing neurons using the avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex method in dorsal horn superficial laminae in chicken lumbosacral enlargement (L4, L5) under inflammatory conditions induced by unilateral intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. After 12-24 h, a significant increase in the number of small COX-2-containing neurons was observed in lamina II on the injected side compared with the contralateral side. Furthermore, using fluorescent double-labeling for COX-2 and SP, an increase in the number of small COX-2-containing neurons in contact with SP-containing elements was observed ipsilaterally (1.4-1.6-fold compared with the contralateral side) in lamina II. Fluorescence triple-labeling of COX-2, SP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) confirmed that the majority of these SP-containing elements coexisted with CGRP, indicating that these elements originated from primary afferent neurons. Using electron microscopy, two types of SP-containing axon terminals were found to form synapses with COX-2-containing neurons in lamina II. These results indicate that the number of COX-2-containing neurons increases concomitantly with an increase in the number of contacts of these neurons with SP-containing primary afferent fibers and suggest that this phenomenon is associated with PG production and the persistence of inflammatory pain.     

Deceased expression of prostatic acid phosphatase in primary sensory neurons after peripheral nerve injury

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is expressed in nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and functions as an ectonucleotidase that dephosphorylates extracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine to suppress pain via activating A1-adenosine receptor (A1R) in dorsal spinal cord. However, the effect of peripheral nerve injury on the expression of PAP has not been reported until now. In the present study we found that PAP expression in DRG neurons is significantly decreased from the 2nd day after peripheral nerve injury and reaches the bottom at the 14th. In addition, intrathecal PAP injection can reduce mechanical allodynia induced by spared nerve injury. Our findings suggest that the decrease of PAP is involved in pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropathic pain.     

The effect of site and type of nerve injury on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the dorsal root ganglion and on neuropathic pain behavior

A number of rat neuropathy models have been developed to simulate human neuropathic pain conditions, such as spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. In the present study, to determine the relative importance of injury site (proximal or distal to the primary afferent neurons) and injury type (motor or sensory), we examined pain-related behaviors and changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the dorsal root ganglion in sham-operated rats, and in the L5 dorsal rhizotomy, L5 ventral rhizotomy, L5 dorsal rhizotomy+ventral rhizotomy, and L5 spinal nerve transection models. L5 ventral rhizotomy and spinal nerve transection produced not only mechanical and heat hypersensitivity, but also an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA/protein in the L5 dorsal root ganglion at 7 days after surgery. In contrast, rats in the L5 dorsal rhizotomy and dorsal rhizotomy+ventral rhizotomy groups did not show both pain behaviors at 7 days after surgery, despite brain-derived neurotrophic factor upregulation in medium- and large-size neurons in the L5 dorsal root ganglion. On the other hand, L5 spinal nerve transection, but not dorsal rhizotomy, dorsal rhizotomy+ventral rhizotomy or ventral rhizotomy, increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the L4 dorsal root ganglion at 7 days after surgery. Taken together, these findings suggest that the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglion neurons may be, at least in part, involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropathic pain and that the selective nerve root injury models may be useful for studying the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain after nerve injury.     

加巴喷丁对脊神经结扎大鼠背根神经节交感神经芽生的影响

目的:观察加巴喷丁干预后疼痛大鼠痛阈变化及背根神经节(DRGs)中交感神经芽生的改变。方法:将SD雄性大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组和加巴喷丁组,于术前及术后5 d每天检测大鼠痛阈变化;术后5 d取各组大鼠手术侧腰5和腰4及对侧腰5 DRG,观察DRGs中交感纤维数量及篮状结构的变化。结果:加巴喷丁可以显著抑制脊神经结扎引起的痛觉过敏;模型组(手术侧腰5及腰4)表现为交感神经节后纤维的异常增生,加巴喷丁干预后,手术侧腰5和腰4 DRGs TH-IR纤维及篮状结构的数量明显低于模型组。结论:加巴喷丁能提高疼痛大鼠痛阈,其机制可能是通过降低脊髓DRG中交感神经的芽生而产生镇痛作用。     

大鼠腰神经根受压后背根神经节及脊髓后角神经元型一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元的变化

目的探讨大鼠腰神经根受压后后背根神经节和脊髓后角神经元型一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元的变化规律.方法选用12只Wistar大鼠,随机分为实验组和正常组,采用免疫组织化学ABC法结合图像分析系统进行研究.结果大鼠腰神经根受压后4周,实验组背根神经节中神经元型一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元细胞数、平均面积明显增多,脊髓后角神经元型一氧化氮合酶阳性神经末梢也明显增多,与正常组相比均有显著性差异.神经元形态以中、小型细胞为主.结论大鼠腰神经根受压后感觉神经元神经元型一氧化氮合酶表达上调,提示神经元型一氧化氮合酶可能与根性腰腿痛的发生有关.