Differential effects of MK-801, a N-methyl-D-aspartate non-competitive antagonist, on the dorsal horn neuron hyperactivity and hyperexcitability in neuropathic rats

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) involvement in altered spinal neuron activity following peripheral nerve injury has been investigated in rats with chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve. Extracellular single neuron recordings were performed, in anesthetized, paralyzed rats, from the sciatic spinal cord segments (lumbar, L5-L6) ipsilateral to the constriction, and the effect of iontophoresized MK-801, an NMDA receptor non-competitive antagonist, was tested on baseline hyperactivity and hyperresponsiveness to noxious stimulation. The results show that baseline activity was unaffected whereas the noxious evoked responses were significantly modified, there being amplitude reduction and after-discharges suppression. The different role of NMDA in the abnormal pain states related to the abnormal neuronal activities is discussed.     

The mGluR5 selective antagonist 6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine reduces the spinal neuron pain-related activity in mononeuropathic rats

In rats with chronic constriction of one sciatic nerve (CCI rats), showing behavioural signs of neuropathic pain, 6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), a selective mGluR5 antagonist, was intraperitoneally administered at 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg or spinally microejected and the effects on the lumbar wide dynamic range neurons activity were investigated. In CCI rats MPEP at 1.0 and 1.5 (but not at 0.75) mg/kg, or spinally microejected induced a significant reduction of the spontaneous (SA) and noxious evoked activity (NEA), and a significant decrease of the suppression of the afterdischarge duration. In sham rats SA was unaffected and NEA was significantly reduced by 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg MPEP dosages. These findings indicate that the metabotropic GluR5 receptor plays a role in the spinal cord processes underlying neuropathic pain and represents a potential target for new therapeutic approaches.     

Analgesic effect of intrathecally γ-aminobutyric acid transporter-1 inhibitor NO-711 administrating on neuropathic pain in rats

To investigate the analgesic effect of intrathecally administered γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter-1 inhibitor NO-711 on the sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats. 5 days after intrathecal catheter placement, neuropathic pain model was established by CCI of sciatic nerve on rats. Withdrawal thresholds for mechanical allodynia and latency for thermal hyperalgesia were measured in all animals. All rats operated upon for CCI displayed decreased withdrawal thresholds for mechanical allodynia and latency for thermal hyperalgesia, which has significant difference compared with sham groups. After intrathecal NO-711 administration, withdrawal thresholds and latency were significantly increased on CCI rats compared with control group after 1 day. The results show that GABA transporter-1 inhibitor could effectively develop analgesic effect in sciatic nerve CCI rats’ model.     

Effects of lowering barometric pressure on guarding behavior, heart rate and blood pressure in a rat model of neuropathic pain

We investigated whether lowering barometric pressure by 20 mmHg (LP) aggravates the guarding behavior suggestive of spontaneous pain following sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats. Systemic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of unrestrained rats were recorded telemetrically during LP both before and after the CCI surgery. CCI rats showed guarding posture in normopressure conditions, and LP increased the cumulative time of this behavior. Baseline BP but not HR was increased following CCI. LP increased BP and HR of the rats only before the CCI surgery. Animals after CCI surgery showed variable (BP, HR) and transient (HR) responses to LP. These results indicate that (1) LP aggravated spontaneous pain and increased BP and HR in the CCI rats, and (2) CCI surgery influenced BP and HR of rats.     

Responses of spinothalamic tract cells to mechanical and thermal stimulation of skin in rats with experimental peripheral neuropathy.

1. Responses of spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons to mechanical and thermal stimulation of skin were recorded under urethane and pentobarbital anesthesia in 12 control rats and in 20 rats with experimental neuropathy. Activity of the STT cells in neuropathic rats was recorded 7, 14, and 28 days after inducing the neuropathy by placing four loose ligatures on the sciatic nerve. 2. All neuropathic animals showed guarding of the injured hindpaw and a shorter withdrawal latency from a radiant heat source of the neuropathic hindpaw than that of the sham-operated paw. 3. STT neurons in neuropathic animals showed the most profound changes 7 and 14 days after the nerve ligation. When compared with STT cells in unoperated animals, approximately half of the neurons had high background activity, responses to innocuous stimuli represented a larger percentage of the total evoked activity in wide dynamic range neurons, and the occurrence and magnitude of afterdischarges to mechanical and thermal stimuli were increased. 4. The mean threshold temperatures of heat-evoked responses of the STT cells in neuropathic animals were not different than those of cells from control animals. However, in neuropathic rats, cells reacting to small heat stimuli usually already had afterdischarges. 5. The increase in the background activity of STT cells is consistent with behavioral observations of spontaneous pain in this model of experimental neuropathy. Furthermore, the afterdischarges of STT cells may parallel the prolonged paw withdrawal in response to noxious stimuli that is seen in these animals and that is evidence for hyperalgesia. However, there was no indication of a lowered threshold for thermal stimuli as might be expected if the animals have thermal allodynia. Mechanical allodynia may have resulted from a relative increase in responsiveness to innocuous mechanical stimuli. However, responses to noxious mechanical stimuli were reduced compared with control, at least at 28 days after the ligation. Peripheral and central mechanisms responsible for the changes in responses of STT cells in neuropathic animals are suggested.     

Comparison of three models of neuropathic pain in mice using a new method to assess cold allodynia: The double plate technique

The recent identification of receptors sensitive to cold stimuli increased the significance of using mice to study cold allodynia, one of the important features of neuropathic pain. However, commonly used techniques (simple cold plate and acetone technique) may be inappropriate to study cold allodynia in mice because of problems of interpretation. We have developed a new method for assessing aversion to a cold non-noxious stimulus. It consists of calculating the time that mice spend on a non-noxious cold plate during their explorative behavior versus a thermoneutral one. We used three different models of neuropathic pain: chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (CCI), partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL) and chronic constriction of the saphenous nerve (CCS) with their respective sham groups and naive animals to assess the double plate in comparison to the acetone drop technique. All operated mice displayed cold allodynia with both methods. The response to acetone and the time spent on the cold plate were correlated (r = −0.93) and we also showed that the CCI mice were more sensitive to cold. Pharmacological validation of this technique showed that CCI induced cold allodynia was alleviated by gabapentin. In conclusion, the double plate technique provides a new, relevant method for assessing cold allodynia in mice. The advantages and drawbacks with the other techniques are discussed.     

Effects of a cannabinoid agonist on spinal nociceptive neurons in a rodent model of neuropathic pain

The effects of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 on heat-evoked firing of spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons were examined in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. Fifty-eight WDR neurons (1 cell/animal) were recorded from the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horns of rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) and sham-operated controls. Relative to sham-operated controls, neurons recorded in CCI rats showed elevations in spontaneous firing, noxious heat-evoked responses, and afterdischarge firing as well as increases in receptive field size. WIN 55,212-2 (0.0625, 0.125, and 0.25 mg/kg, intravenous) dose-dependently suppressed heat-evoked activity and decreased the receptive field areas of dorsal horn WDR neurons in both nerve injured and control rats with a greater inhibition in CCI rats. At the dose of 0.125 mg/kg iv, WIN 55,212-2 reversed the hyperalgesia produced by nerve injury. The effect of intravenous administration of WIN 55,212-2 appears to be centrally mediated because administration of the drug directly to the ligated nerve did not suppress the heat-evoked neuronal activity in CCI rats. Pretreatment with the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonists SR141716A or AM251, but not the CB(2) antagonist SR144528, blocked the effects. These results provide a neural basis for reports of potent suppression by cannabinoids of the abnormal sensory responses that result from nerve injury.     

Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 dependent on hyaluronan synthesis after sciatic nerve injury

Using a rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model, we analyzed the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after sciatic nerve injury and its relationship with hyaluronan (HA). MMP-9 expression and activity were induced after the nerve injury. We found that CCI rats with oral administration of 4-methylunbelliferone (4-MU), which was a hyaluronan synthases inhibitor, exhibited reduced MMP-9 activity and mRNA expression compared with CCI rats that were not given 4-MU. MMP modulatory factors, such as TIMPs and uPA, did not change after the 4-MU was administered. This result indicated that the upregulation of MMP-9 after nerve injury in CCI rats was dependent on HA synthesis and was useful for the treatment of nerve injuries.     

1,8-桉叶素对背根神经节内P2X3受体介导神经病理痛的作用

目的:探讨1,8-桉叶素对大鼠背根神经节(DRG)神经元P2X3受体介导神经病理痛的作用。方法:建立大鼠坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤模型(CCI)。SD大鼠随机分为假手术(Sham)组,坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(模型组,CCI)组、低剂量1,8-桉叶素治疗组、高剂量1,8-桉叶素治疗组、二甲亚砜对照组。检测大鼠术后7、14 d机械缩足反射(MWT)及热缩足反射潜伏期(TWL),观察大鼠行为学变化。免疫组织化学和原位杂交观察神经病理痛大鼠第4~5腰(L_(4-5))DRG神经元P2X3受体表达变化。结果:术后第7和14天,模型组大鼠MWT和TWL明显低于假手术组,低、高剂量治疗组较模型组明显升高,二甲亚砜组与模型组比较无差别;L_(4-5)DRG内P2X3受体表达模型组明显高于假手术组,低、高剂量治疗组较模型组均明显降低,二甲亚砜组与模型组比较无明显区别。结论:1,8-桉叶素抑制CCI大鼠L_(4-5)DRG神经元P2X3受体过表达,从而缓解神经病理性疼痛症状。     

Expansion of innervation territory by afferents involved in plasma extravasation after nerve regeneration in adult and neonatal rats

Summary The capacity of the saphenous nerve for collateral sprouting was examined by electrophysiological recordings of the activity of low threshold mechanoreceptors and plasma extravasation after C-fiber stimulation in rats. When the sciatic nerve was sectioned neonatally or in adults little evidence was obtained for collateral sprouting of either mechanoreceptors or fibers involved in plasma extravasation in the intact saphenous nerve0 In rats where the sciatic nerve was sectioned and the saphenous nerve was crushed either neonatally or in adults, expansive regenerative reinnervation by thin fibers, but not mechanoreceptors, was observed particularly in glabrous skin. Saphenous crush alone did not cause expansive regenerative reinnervation. The results indicate that much of the collateral sprouting or regenerative reinnervation of the skin observed in morphological studies may represent the presence of fibers not responding to the stimuli used in the present study. It is also suggested that some observations of collateral sprouting may represent changes in responsiveness to stimulation of skin areas with overlapping innervation territories.     

Effects of 17β-estradiol on glucose transporter 1 expression and endothelial cell survival following focal ischemia in the rats

To characterize various animal models of neuropathic pain, we compared three previously developed rat models using the same behavioral testing methods. These models involve: (1) chronic constriction injury by loose ligation of the sciatic nerve (CCI); (2) tight ligation of the partial sciatic nerve (PSL); and (3) tight ligation of spinal nerves (SNL). Comparisons were made for the time course of behavioral signs representing various components of neuropathic pain as well as for the effects of surgical sympathectomy. In general, all three methods of peripheral nerve injury produced behavioral signs of both ongoing and evoked pain with similar time courses. However, there was a considerable difference in the magnitude of each pain component between models. Signs of mechanical allodynia were largest in the SNL injury and smallest in the CCI model. On the other hand, behavioral signs representing ongoing pain were much more prominent in the CCI model than in the other two. Although the behavioral signs of neuropathic pain tended to decrease after sympathectomy in all three models, the change was most evident in the SNL model. The results of the present study suggest that the three rat models tested have contrasting features, yet all are useful neuropathic pain models, possibly representing different populations of human neuropathic pain patients.     

Optical coherence tomography reveals in vivo cortical plasticity of adult mice in response to peripheral neuropathic pain

We examined neural plasticity in mice in vivo using optical coherence tomography (OCT) of primary somatosensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortices of mice under the influence of sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI), a model of neuropathic pain widely utilized in rats. The OCT system used in this study provided cross-sectional images of the cortical tissue of mice up to a depth of about 1mm with longitudinal resolution up to 11 microm. This is the first study to evaluate neural plasticity in vivo using OCT. CCI mice exhibited cold allodynia and spontaneous pain behaviors, which are signs of neuropathic pain, 30 days after sciatic nerve ligation, when OCT observation of S1 and M1 cortices was carried out. The scattering intensity of near-infrared light within the hind paw area of S1 and M1 regions in the contralateral hemisphere was significantly higher than in the ipsilateral hemisphere. These CCI-induced increases in scattering intensity within cortical regions associated with the hind paw probably reflect elevated neural activity associated with neuropathic pain. Synapses and mitochondria are believed to have high light scattering coefficients, since they contain remarkably high concentrations of proteins and complicated membrane structure. Number densities of mitochondria and synapses are known to increase in parallel with increases in neural activity. Our findings thus suggest that neuropathic pain gives rise to neural plasticity within the hind paw area of S1 and M1 contralateral to the ligated sciatic nerve.     

Effects of repeated administered ghrelin on chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in rats

Chronic constriction injury (CCI) is a peripheral mononeuropathic pain model that is caused by an injury to the peripheral nervous system and refractory to available conventional treatment. Mechanisms involved in neuropathic pain are still unclear. Previous studies reveal that proinflammatory cytokines contribute to CCI-induced peripheral nerve pathology. Ghrelin, a novel identified gastric peptide, has been shown to have antinociceptive activity and also anti-inflammatory properties by decreasing proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ghrelin on the CCI and its relationship with proinflammatory cytokines in rats. Wistar rats underwent sciatic nerve ligation to induce CCI fallowed by repeated ghrelin administrations (50 and 100 μg/kg i.p., once daily) for a period of 14 days. Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed before surgery and at day 14 after CCI. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured in blood and spinal cord. The changes of sciatic nerve was assessed histologically by both light and electron microscopy. Ghrelin attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia, reduced spinal TNF-α and IL-1β levels and enhanced sciatic nerve injury with correlated morphometric recovery. These results indicate that the protective effect by ghrelin in the spinal cord is mediated through the suppression of TNF-α and IL-1β. Thus ghrelin may be a promising peptide in the management of neuropathic pain.     

神经病理性疼痛大鼠脊髓NF-κB、NR2B和iNOS的表达及意义

 目的： 探讨坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤（CCI）大鼠脊髓核因子κB（NF-κB）、N-甲基D-天冬氨酸受体2B亚基（NR2B）和诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）的表达及意义。方法: 56只180~220 g雄性SD大鼠随机分为2组：sham组 (n=8)和CCI组（n=48）。于术前1 d、术后1 d、4 d、7 d、14 d和21 d测定机械缩爪阈值（MWT）和热刺激缩爪潜伏期（PWL）后处死,取L4~L6脊髓,采用RT-PCR和Western blotting检测脊髓NF-κB、NR2B和iNOS的表达。结果: CCI组MWT及PWL值较sham组明显降低（P<0.05, n=8）。RT-PCR和Western blotting结果显示CCI组术后脊髓NF-κB、NR2B和iNOS明显高于术前（P<0.05, n=4）。iNOS mRNA与NF-κB mRNA和NR2B mRNA的表达呈显著正相关（r=0.842, P<0.05; r=0.833, P<0.05）。结论: CCI大鼠痛觉过敏的产生和维持可能与脊髓NF-κB和NR2B活化并上调iNOS表达水平有关。     

Early cytokine gene expression in mouse CNS after peripheral nerve lesion

The generation and maintenance of pain after peripheral nerve injury are thought to be influenced by cytokine signaling. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) to mouse sciatic nerve leads to an early local upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines already 1 h after the lesion. The early regulation of cytokines in pain related CNS areas is largely unknown. We investigated cytokine regulation in the lumbar spinal cord, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and frontal cortex in C57Bl/6J mice after lesioning the right sciatic nerve by CCI. The gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, and IL-10 was analyzed by quantitative real-time-PCR from 1 to 12 h after surgery or until values were back to baseline. CCI led to an early downregulation of TNF and IL-1beta mRNA in distinct brain areas and in the lumbar spinal cord with a maximum decrease within the first 6h after CCI. The reduction of TNF mRNA was inhibited by the NMDA receptor antagonist (+)-MK-801, while the calpain inhibitor MDL-28170 had no effect. Our results suggest an early cytokine regulation in the CNS after peripheral nerve lesion, which is opposite in direction to that in the periphery and which is partly mediated by the NMDA receptor system.     

Collateral reinnervation and expansive regenerative reinnervation by sensory axons into “foreign” denervated skin: an immunohistochemical study in the rat

Summary Immunohistochemistry has been used to study, the capacity of different types of sensory axons in the saphenous nerve to extend into denervated glabrous skin territory after a chronic sciatic nerve lesion. In this study, the extension of the intact or regenerating thin peptidergic and coarse saphenous nerve fibres in adult and neonatal rats was determined. Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies were used as markers for thin axons and neurofilament (NF) antibodies for coarse axons. In addition, S-100 protein (S-100) antibodies, which primarily stain Schwann cells associated with myelinated axons, as well as innervated lamellated cells of Meissner corpuscles, were used. After a chronic sciatic nerve lesion in adult rats, thin dermal and epidermal SP-immunoreactive (IR) and CGRP-IR saphenous nerve fibres were present in an area lateral to that normally innervated by the saphenous nerve in the foot sole. In neonatally lesioned animals, thin dermal and epidermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR, as well as coarse dermal NF-IR fibres and S-100-IR cells, all of which derived from the saphenous nerve, were found in the sciatic nerve territory. In addition, some dermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres were transiently present in the lateral part of the foot sole. After chronic sciatic nerve lesion and a concomitant crush injury of the saphenous nerve in adults or neonatals, thin dermal and epidermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres, as well as coarse dermal NF-IR fibres and S-100-IR cells, were found in the innervation area normally occupied by the sciatic nerve. After a sciatic nerve cut and a concomitant crush injury of the saphenous nerve in adult rats, the SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres, as well as the NF-IR fibres and S-100-IR cells were restricted to the medial part of this area. After a sciatic nerve cut and a concomitant crush injury of the saphenous nerve in neonatal rats, a few thin dermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres were found in the lateral part of the foot sole as well. The findings of the present study together with those of previous morphological studies indicate that intact thin axons from the saphenous nerve, including those exhibiting peptide immunoreactivity, but not coarse saphenous axons, are capable of extending into foreign denervated glabrous skin after chronic sciatic nerve injuries. In neonatally sciatic-nerve-injured animals, both groups of axons spread from the intact saphenous nerve into the sciatic nerve territory. This was also the case when the saphenous nerve had been crushed and allowed to regenerate in rats injured neonatally, or as adults. However, judging from previous physiological data, the regenerating axons do not develop into functional low-threshold mechanoreceptors.     

大鼠坐骨神经损伤后诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达的变化

为了探讨大鼠坐骨神经损伤后再生过程中诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达的变化及意义,本研究采用大鼠坐骨神经切断缝合模型,分别于术后1、3、7、14、21及28d取吻合口远端的神经,采用免疫组织化学和实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测损伤神经远端iNOSmRNA及其蛋白的表达水平。结果显示:假手术对照组坐骨神经中未见明显的iNOS阳性产物,iNOSmRNA表达极低。实验组神经损伤后iNOSmRNA及其蛋白的表达水平均明显增高(P<0.01),iNOS阳性产物的吸光度(A)值在术后7d达高峰。iNOSmRNA表达在术后1、3、7d维持较高水平,此后则明显下降。上述结果说明大鼠坐骨神经损伤后神经纤维中iNOS的表达增加,iNOS可能在周围神经损伤后的再生过程中起着一定的作用。     

Short- but not long-lasting treadmill running reduces allodynia and improves functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury

We analyzed the effects of different treadmill running protocols on the functional recovery after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in mice. We found that a treadmill protocol of short-lasting running (1 h/d for 5 days after CCI) reduced the neuropathy-induced mechanical allodynia and normalized the weight bearing and the sciatic static index of the injured hindpaw. At difference, a treadmill protocol of long-lasting running (1 h/d for more than 5 days after CCI) was unfavorable both for allodynia and for functional recovery. Behavioral results were correlated with immunofluorescence assays of microglia and astrocytes activation in L4/L5 lumbar spinal cord sections. We found a differential pattern of activation characterized by: (i) reduced microglia expression, after both short- and long-lasting treadmill running; (ii) reduced astrocytes expression after short-lasting treadmill running; and, (iii) persistence of astrocytes expression after long-lasting treadmill running. Finally, in sections of injured sciatic nerves, we analyzed the expression of Cdc2 and GAP-43 proteins that are both up-regulated during peripheral regenerative processes. Compared to mice subjected to long-lasting treadmill running, mice subjected to short-lasting treadmill running showed an acceleration of the regenerative processes at the injured sciatic nerve. Our data demonstrate that short-lasting treadmill running, by reducing the neuropathic pain symptoms and facilitating the regenerative processes of the injured nerve, have beneficial rehabilitative effects on the functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.     

Antihyperalgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Atorvastatin in Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats

Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor used in treatment of hypercholesterolemia and prevention of coronary heart disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg by oral gavages for 14 days) in chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain in rats. CCI caused significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 1 beta, prostaglandin E2, along with matrix metalloproteases (MMP-2) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in sciatic nerve and spinal cord concomitant with mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, which were significantly reduced by oral administration of atorvastatin for 14 days as compared to CCI rats. Our study demonstrated that atorvastatin attenuates neuropathic pain through inhibition of cytokines, MMP-2, and NGF in sciatic nerve and spinal cord suggesting that atorvastatin could be an additional therapeutic strategy in management of neuropathic pain.     

Effects of lowering ambient temperature on pain-related behaviors in a rat model of neuropathic pain

To clarify the mechanism by which changes in chronic pain are induced by cold environments, rats rendered neuropathic by a chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve were exposed to low ambient temperature (LT; 7 degrees C decrease from 22 degrees C) in a climate-controlled room. LT exposure aggravated pain-related behaviors in CCI rats, i.e., decreased the threshold to von Frey hair and paw pressure stimulation, prolonged the duration of foot withdrawal to pinprick stimulation, and increased the cumulative duration of guarding posture. Lumbar sympathectomy (SYX) did not inhibit LT-induced augmentations of pain-related behaviors in CCI rats. LT exposure decreased the skin temperatures of both hind paws to the same degree in the sham-operated control and SYX rats, while in the CCI and SYX+CCI rats it caused a larger temperature decrease in the injured paw than in the uninjured one. These results indicate that LT exposure augments abnormalities in pain-related behaviors of neuropathic rats, and also suggest that sympathetic nervous activity is not a predominant factor in the augmenting mechanism.