脊髓p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激活参与坐骨神经压迫性损伤所致神经病理性痛

本研究旨在观察脊髓p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK）在坐骨神经压迫性损伤所致神经病理性痛中的作用。雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠鞘内置管后,4-0丝线松结扎左侧坐骨神经制作慢性压迫性损伤（chronic constriction injury,CCI）模型。CCI后第5天,鞘内注射不同剂量的p38 MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580,并在给药前及给药后不同时间点,分别用von Frey机械痛敏监测仪和热辐射刺激仪监测大鼠损伤侧后爪机械和热刺激反应闽值,用免疫印迹技术（Western blot）观察给药前后脊髓磷酸化p38 MAPK（p-p38 MAPK）和磷酸化环磷酸腺苷反应元件结合蛋白（phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein,pCREB）表达变化。结果发现：坐骨神经压迫性损伤引起脊髓p-p38 MAPK蛋白表达明显增加;鞘内注射SB203580能剂量依赖性逆转CCI引起的机械性痛觉异常和热痛觉过敏及脊髓水平p-p38 MAPK表达的增加,也明显抑制CCI引起的脊髓pCREB表达的增加。结果提示,脊髓水平p38 MAPK激活参与坐骨神经压迫性损伤所致神经病理性痛的发展,其作用可能通过pCREB介导。     

大鼠脑实质内远位触液神经元中5-HT1A受体的分布及其在神经病理性痛中的表达

本文旨在探讨大鼠脑实质内远位触液神经元中5-HT1A受体的分布及其在神经病理性痛中的作用.慢性结扎损伤坐骨神经建立大鼠神经病理性痛模型,分别以缩足潜伏期(paw withdrawal latency,PWL)和缩足阈值(paw withdrawal threshold,PWT)对大鼠热痛敏和机械触诱发痛反应进行评分,以可靠CB-HRP(cholera toxin subunit B with horseradish peroxidase)法追踪标记脑实质内远位触液神经元,用CB-HRP/5-HT1A受体免疫组织化学双重标记技术定位、鉴别5-HT1A受体在远位触液神经元中的表达,并计数分析5-HT1A受体分布和表达变化与痛行为表现之间的关系.结果表明,在神经病理性痛第1、3、A7、14天,大鼠的PWL分别为19.37±2.74、12.04±1.77、8.74±1.15、12.31±1.94,PWT分别为18.58±3.62、13.05±1.81、6.66±1.43、1 1.55±2.01.CB-HRP标记细胞出现的位置和数量恒定.每只动物CB-HRP/5-HT1A受体双重标记的细胞数量分别为276.14±36.00、161.72±28.41、108.64±6.8l、139.76±44.64,分别占该动物CB-HRP标记细胞总数的95%、60%、40%和55%.与对照组相比,神经病理性痛大鼠PWL、PWT及CB.HRP/5-HT1A受体双标细胞数均有显著性差异(P<0.01).结果提示,大鼠脑实质的特定部位恒定存在远位触液神经元,该类神经元大多含有5-HT1A受体,该受体的表达与神经病理性痛行为表现之间呈负相关关系.     

HO/CO在甲醛炎性痛大鼠脊髓痛传导及痛觉过敏产生中的作用

目的:探讨血红素氧合酶/一氧化碳(HO/CO)在甲醛诱导的大鼠自发痛和痛觉过敏形成中的作用。方法:采用鞘内注射的方法,在甲醛炎性痛大鼠和正常大鼠分别给予HO抑制剂Znpp和HO激动剂Hemin;采用加权积分法对痛反应进行评分以代表痛反应程度;采用观察热辐射缩足潜伏期和机械刺激缩足反射阈值表示热和机械性痛觉过敏的程度。结果:Znpp各剂量组与单纯甲醛组相比,大鼠痛反应评分明显降低,且Znpp剂量越大,对大鼠痛反应的抑制作用越明显;与单纯甲醛组相比,Znpp各剂量组大鼠注射足热辐射缩足潜伏期和机械刺激缩足反射阈值均无明显变化,而非注射足热辐射缩足潜伏期和机械刺激缩足反射阈值均明显升高,且Znpp的剂量越大,这种改变越明显。正常大鼠鞘内注射HO的激动剂Hemin后,双侧足热辐射缩足潜伏期和机械刺激缩足反射阈值均明显降低。结论:鞘内给予HO抑制剂可明显抑制甲醛诱导的自发痛反应及热和机械性痛觉过敏程度;正常大鼠鞘内给予HO激动剂可诱发热和机械性痛觉过敏的产生,提示HO/CO系统参与脊髓伤害性信息的传导和痛觉过敏的形成过程。     

触液核GluN2B-BDNF通路介导大鼠神经病理性疼痛的发生（英文）

本研究旨在探讨触液核GluN2B-BDNF通路在神经病理性疼痛中的作用。应用侧脑室注射特异性触液核示踪剂霍乱毒素亚单位B与辣根过氧化物酶复合物(cholera toxin subunit B conjugated with horseradish peroxidase, CB-HRP)的方法标记触液核;通过免疫荧光双标染色和Western blot观察大鼠触液核GluN2B和BDNF的表达;采用坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤法(chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve, CCI)建立大鼠慢性神经病理性疼痛模型;通过侧脑室注射GluN2B拮抗剂和BDNF中和抗体观察CCI大鼠的行为学变化。结果显示,GluN2B和BDNF均在触液核内表达,并且在CCI大鼠表达上调;侧脑室注射GluN2B拮抗剂或BDNF中和抗体能够减轻CCI大鼠的热痛觉过敏和机械性痛觉超敏;而且侧脑室注射GluN2B拮抗剂能够逆转CCI大鼠BDNF的表达上调。以上结果提示,大鼠触液核内有GluN2B和BDNF的表达,并且触液核GluN2B-BDNF通路参与了大鼠神经病理性疼痛的发生。     

大鼠触液核MrgA的分布及其在神经病理性疼痛状态下的表达增加

本文旨在观察MrgA (Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor A)在正常大鼠触液核的分布及其在神经病理性疼痛条件下的表达变化,为触液核通过MrgA参与神经病理性疼痛的信息传递或调节提供形态学依据。按照文献建立坐骨神经慢性结扎损伤(chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve, CCI)大鼠模型,用Von Frey电子测痛仪和热痛敏刺激仪监测大鼠痛行为,用霍乱毒素B亚单位结合辣根过氧化物酶(CB-HRP)追踪和免疫荧光标记相结合的方法来检测并比较MrgA在正常和CCI大鼠触液核的表达及变化。结果显示,CCI大鼠第5、7、10、14天的机械缩足反射阈值和热缩足潜伏期显著降低,MrgA在正常大鼠触液核有分布,CCI大鼠神经病理性疼痛达到峰值时触液核MrgA表达水平显著高于正常对照组。以上结果提示,触液核可能通过MrgA参与了神经病理性疼痛的信息传递或调节。     

前列腺素抑制剂消炎痛抑制糖尿病痛过敏大鼠隐神经中Aδ和C单位的传入活动

实验观察了前列腺素（prostaglandins,PGs)合成限速酶－非选择性环氧合酶（cyclo-oxygenase,COX)抑制剂消炎痛和外源性前列腺素E2（prostaglandin E2,PGE2)对糖尿病痛过敏大鼠隐神经中Aδ单位和C单位传入活动的影响,结果发现,糖尿病痛过敏大鼠Aδ单位和C单位的传导速度和它们的机械阈值显著降低,少数Aδ单位（4／24）和C单位（2／18）具有自发活动,腹腔注射消炎痛后能明显缓解糖尿病痛过敏大鼠的机械性痛过敏,并抑制自发放电,在消炎痛阻断内源性PGs合成后,外源性PGE2能使糖尿病痛过敏组和对照组大鼠Aδ单位和C单位的机械阈值显著降低,并诱发糖尿病痛过敏组大鼠3个Aδ单位（3／24）和1个C单位（1／18）,以及对照组大鼠2胪Aδ单位（2／13）产生传入活动,结果提示,在患糖尿病性神经病时,PG的合成和释放增多,这些PGs敏化或和激活Aδ单位和C单位,诱发糖尿病大鼠产生痛过敏和触诱发痛。     

积雪草酸对大鼠神经病理性痛的影响及其相关机制

目的:探讨积雪草酸对大鼠神经病理性痛的影响及其可能机制。方法:选择32只体重220~240 g的雄性SD大鼠,采用随机数字表法将其分为4组(n=8):假手术对照组(S组)、神经病理性痛组(N组)、积雪草酸5 mg/kg组(AA_1组)及积雪草酸10 mg/kg组(AA_2组)。S组大鼠只暴露但不结扎坐骨神经;N组大鼠仅制备神经病理性痛模型;AA_1组和AA_2组大鼠制备神经病理性痛模型,并于模型建立后即刻及术后1、3、5、7天分别腹腔注射积雪草酸5、10、20 mg/kg(溶于0.1 mL生理盐水)。于术前1天(T0)及术后1、3、5、7天(T1-T4)分别测定大鼠机械缩足反应阈位(MWTs)和热缩足潜伏期(TWLs),采用Western blot法检测脊髓HMGB1、RAGE、IL-1β、TNF-α、iNOS蛋白表达。结果:与N组比较,AA2组T1-T4时间点MWT显著增加、TWL明显缩短,而AA1组仅MWT显著增加(P0.05),但各组各时间点TWL比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。与S组比较,N组脊髓浆蛋白HMGB1和RAGE及总蛋白IL-1β、TNF-α、iNOS蛋白表达较高(P0.05);与N组比较,AA_1和AA_2组脊髓浆蛋白HMGB1和RAGE及总蛋白IL-1β、TNF-α、iNOS蛋白表达均明显下降(P0.05)。与AA_1组比较,AA_2组脊髓脊髓浆蛋白HMGB1和RAGE及总蛋白IL-1β、TNF-α、iNOS蛋白表达都明显降低(P0.05)。结论:积雪草酸可能通过缓解HMGB1-RAGE信号通路介导的脊髓炎症反应减轻神经病理性痛。     

PKC激动剂佛波醇酯诱导大鼠伤害性感受并促进脊髓NO产生

目的:观察PKC激动剂PMA诱导大鼠伤害性感受作用及对脊髓NOS表达和NO生成的影响.方法:采用行为学方法观察大鼠痛反应;热甩尾法测定大鼠痛阈变化;采用NADPH-d组织化学法和硝酸还原酶法分别测定大鼠脊髓内NOS表达和NO含量.结果:鞘内注射PMA后,大鼠出现伤害性感受反应及痛阈降低,脊髓后角浅层和中央管周围灰质内NOS阳性细胞数目、阳性细胞胞体及突起的染色深度明显增加,脊髓NO含量亦明显增加.给予PKC选择性抑制剂CH预处理可阻断鞘内注射PMA诱导的上述改变.结论:脊髓神经元内PKC激活可诱导大鼠产生伤害性感受及热痛觉过敏,并可促进NO产生,其对NO产生的促进作用可能是其诱导痛觉过敏产生的机制之一.     

神经病理性疼痛增强HCN2通道在大鼠触液核的表达

本文旨在研究超极化激活环核苷酸门控通道亚型2(hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels subtype2,HCN2)在触液核的分布及其在神经病理性疼痛条件下的表达变化,以期为揭示触液核的生物学功能及神经病理性疼痛的调控机制提供实验依据。以Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠为实验动物,用坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤(chronic constriction injury,CCI)法制作神经病理性疼痛模型,用侧脑室注射辣根过氧化物酶标记的霍乱毒素B亚单位复合物(CB-HRP)特异性标记触液核神经元,用热缩足潜伏期及机械缩足阈值作为定量指标研究痛行为,用免疫荧光法及Western blot检测触液核HCN2通道蛋白及c-Fos蛋白的表达量。结果显示,与正常大鼠相比,接受侧脑室CB-HRP注射的大鼠痛阈及触液核HCN2、c-Fos表达均无明显变化;而CCI术后第7、14天,神经病理性疼痛模型大鼠痛阈显著下降,且触液核神经元的HCN2通道蛋白及c-Fos蛋白的表达显著增加。使用HCN2阻断剂ZD7288后,CCI致痛大鼠痛阈显著提高,触液核神经元HCN2通道蛋白及c-Fos蛋白的表达较相应时间点模型组显著降低,以术后第7、14天为明显。以上结果提示,触液核可能参与了神经病理性疼痛的调制,且通过HCN2通道发挥重要作用。     

右美托咪啶通过抑制超极化激活内向电流减轻机械性触诱发痛

本文旨在研究右美托咪啶(dexmedetomidine,DEX)对慢性压迫背根神经节(chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion,CCD)引起的机械性触诱发痛的作用及机制。制备Sprague Dawley(SD)大鼠CCD模型,用痛行为学方法检测机械性触诱发痛,用全细胞膜片钳技术检测背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)C类和A_δ类神经元兴奋性和超极化激活内向电流(hyperpolarization-activated inward currents,I_h)的变化。结果显示:鞘内注射DEX显著减轻CCD大鼠机械性触诱发痛(P0.05);在CCD大鼠DRG C类和A_δ类神经元上,DEX显著提高细胞基强度和后超极化电位,降低I_h电流密度。上述结果提示,DEX可能通过抑制C类和A_δ类DRG神经元I_h电流,降低神经元兴奋性,从而减轻神经病理性疼痛。     

姜黄素下调脊髓Toll样受体4及下游细胞因子减弱大鼠神经病理性痛

观察鞘内注射姜黄素对坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(CCI)大鼠痛阈和脊髓组织Toll样受体4(TLR4)及TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-10表达的影响．鞘内置管的120只大鼠随机均分为4组：假手术组(Sham),CCI组,溶剂对照组(SC),姜黄素治疗组(Cur,100 μg/天),建立CCI大鼠疼痛模型,术后第1、3、7、10和14天鞘内给药并测定痛阈,第3、7天取腰段脊髓第4～6节段(L4～L6)以Real-time PCR与Western blotting方法检测TLR4、HMGB1 mRNA和蛋白质的表达,ELISA法观察脊髓组织中TNF-α、IL-1β及IL-10表达变化．与Sham组相比,CCI组大鼠机械性痛阈与热痛阈显著降低(均P<0.05),同时脊髓组织TLR4、HMGB1 mRNA和蛋白质的表达明显增加(均P<0.05),TNF-α、IL-1β与IL-10的含量也明显升高(均P<0.05);鞘内注射姜黄素明显降低脊髓TLR4、高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1),TNF-α和IL-1β的表达,显著升高脊髓IL-10的表达,同时明显改善CCI大鼠疼痛行为(P<0.05)．姜黄素减轻神经病理性疼痛可能与下调TLR4途径促炎症因子表达有关,抑制TLR4途径有望成为治疗神经病理性疼痛的新策略．     

Effect of nitric oxide in protective effect of melatonin against chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury induced neuropathic pain in rats

Developing a successful treatment strategy for neuropathic pain has remained a challenge among researcher and clinicians. Various animal models have been employed to understand the pathogenic mechanism of neuropathic pain in experimental animals. The present study was designed to explore the possible nitric oxide mechanism in the protective effect of melatonin against chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve in rats. Following chronic constriction injury, various behavioral tests (thermal hyperalgesia, cold allodynia) and biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase, and nitrite) were assessed in sciatic nerves. Drugs were administered for 21 consecutive days from the day of surgery. CCI significantly caused thermal hyperalgesia, cold allodynia and oxidative damage. Chronic administration of melatonin (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, ip) significantly attenuated hyperalgesia, cold allodynia and oxidative damage in sciatic nerves as compared to CCI group. Further, L-NAME (5 mg/kg) pretreatment with sub-effective dose of melatonin (2.5 mg/kg, ip) significantly potentiated melatonin's protective effect which was significant as compared to their individual effect per se. However, L-arginine (100 mg/kg) pretreatment with melatonin (2.5 mg/kg, ip) significantly reversed its protective effects. Results of the present study suggest the involvement of nitric oxide pathway in the protective effect of melatonin against CCI-induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats.     

Aloperine attenuated neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury via anti-oxidation activity and suppression of the nuclear factor kappa B pathway

Objective

To investigate whether aloperine (ALO) has antinociceptive effects on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury, whether ALO reduces ROS against neuropathic pain, and what are the mechanisms involved in ALO attenuated neuropathic pain.

Methods

Mechanical and cold allodynia, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and spinal thermal hyperalgesia were estimated by behavior methods such as Von Frey filaments, cold-plate, radiant heat, paw pressure and tail immersion on one day before surgery and days 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 after surgery, respectively. In addition, T-AOC, GSH-PX, T-AOC and MDA in the spinal cord (L4/5) were measured to evaluate anti-oxidation activity of ALO on neuropathic pain. Expressions of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in the spinal cord (L4/5) were analyzed by using Western blot.

Results

Administration of ALO (80 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased paw withdrawal threshold, paw pressure, paw withdrawal latencies, tail-curling latencies, T-AOC, GSH-PX and T-SOD concentration, reduced the numbers of paw lifts and MDA concentration compared to CCI group. ALO attenuated CCI induced up-regulation of expressions of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β at the dose of 80 mg/kg (i.p.). Pregabalin produced similar effects serving as positive control at the dose of 10 mg/kg (i.p.).

Conclusion

ALO has antinociceptive effects on neuropathic pain induced by CCI. The antinociceptive effects of ALO against neuropathic pain is related to reduction of ROS, via suppression of NF-κB pathway.     

Experimental Characterization of the Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain Model in Mice

Number of ligations made in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) neuropathic pain model has raised serious concerns. We compared behavioural responses, nerve morphology and expression of pain marker, c-fos among CCI models developed with one, two, three and four ligations. The numbers of ligation(s) on sciatic nerve shows no significant difference in displaying mechanical and cold allodynia, and mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia throughout 84 days. All groups underwent similar levels of nerve degeneration post-surgery. Similar c-fos level in brain cingulate cortex, parafascicular nuclei and amygdala were observed in all CCI models compared to sham-operated group. Therefore, number of ligations does not impact intensity of pain symptoms, pathogenesis and neuronal activation. A single ligation is sufficient to develop neuropathic pain, in contrast to the established model of four ligations. This study dissects and characterises the CCI model, ascertaining a more uniform animal model to surrogate actual neuropathic pain condition.

     

Antinociceptive effect of intrathecal administration of hypotaurine in rat models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain

Hypotaurine is an intermediate in taurine biosynthesis from cysteine in astrocytes. Although hypotaurine functions as an antioxidant and organic osmolyte, its physiological role in the central nervous system remains unclear. This study used behavioral assessments to determine whether hypotaurine influenced nociceptive transmission in acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain. The tail flick, paw pressure, and formalin tests were performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats to examine the effects of the intrathecal administration of hypotaurine (100, 200, 400, 600?μg) on thermal, mechanical, and chemical nociception. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve was induced in the rats, and the electronic von Frey test and plantar test were performed to assess the effects on neuropathic pain. To determine which neurotransmitter pathway(s) was involved in the action of hypotaurine, in this study, we examined how the antagonists of spinal pain processing receptors altered the effect of 600?μg hypotaurine. To explore whether hypotaurine affected motor performance, the Rotarod test was conducted. Hypotaurine had antinociceptive effects on thermal, mechanical, and chemical nociception in the spinal cord. In CCI rats, hypotaurine alleviated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. These effects were reversed completely by pretreatment with an intrathecal injection of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist. Conversely, hypotaurine did not affect motor performance. This study demonstrated that intrathecal hypotaurine suppressed acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain. Hypotaurine may regulate nociceptive transmission physiologically by activating glycinergic neurons in the spinal cord, and it is a promising candidate for treating various pain states.     

早期干预ERK在脊髓的激活可阻断外周神经损伤引起的神经病理性疼痛的发生

本文采用大鼠坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤引起的神经病理痛模型,研究脊髓背角细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signal-regulatedkinase,ERK)在外周神经损伤引起的神经病理疼痛发生中的作用.结果显示,单侧坐骨神经压迫性损伤后1天,大鼠损伤侧脊髓背角ERK的磷酸化(激活)水平显著上调,其下游转录因...     

外源性的电磁干预对神经病理性疼痛大鼠的镇痛效果研究

目的:探讨外源性的电磁干预方法对神经病理性疼痛大鼠的镇痛效果。方法:将30只成熟的雄性SD大鼠随机等分成3组:空白对照组(Control),坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤(CCI)组以及坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤协同电磁刺激组(CCI+EMF)。CCI组和CCI+EMF组的20只大鼠建立坐骨神经慢性压迫损伤模型,CCI+EMF组大鼠行外源性的全身性电磁刺激干预(脉冲波形,频率15 Hz,强度30 Gs),每天刺激6小时。在CCI模型构建的第0、3、6、9、12及15天对大鼠测试和比较足底机械痛阈值、足底热痛阈值、运动功能评分和神经传导速率。结果:CCI组大鼠的足底机械痛阈值、足底热痛阈值及感觉神经传导速率从CCI手术后的第3天即出现显著性降低,其6、9、12、15天足底机械痛阈值、足底热痛阈值及感觉神经传导速率均显著低于Control组(P0.01),而运动功能评分均显著高于Control组(P0.05)。CCI+EMF组大鼠的足底机械痛阈值、足底热痛阈值及感觉神经传导速率在第9、12、15天显著高于CCI组大鼠(P0.05),而运动功能评分均显著高于CCI l组。结论:外源性的电磁刺激对于神经病理性疼痛大鼠具有良好的镇痛效果,有望成为一种临床治疗神经病理性疼痛的新的物理治疗手段。     

A single dose of liposome-encapsulated hydromorphone provides extended analgesia in a rat model of neuropathic pain

Opioids have been shown to relieve thermal hyperalgesia associated with neuropathic pain. We used a novel technique to produce liposome-encapsulated hydromorphone (LEH), which we then tested in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) thermal hyperalgesia model of neuropathic pain. Rats were divided into sham-operated and CCI groups. Treatments consisted of LEH or standard hydromorphone, administered at surgery or 3 d after surgery, when thermal hyperalgesia had developed in the CCI rats. We measured thermal withdrawal latencies on days 0, 3, and 5. CCI rats given liposome-encapsulated vehicle or standard hydromorphone at surgery developed full thermal hyperalgesia. CCI rats given LEH at surgery exhibited no significant change compared with baseline values in thermal withdrawal latency, indicating that this preparation prevented hyperalgesia after a single injection. CCI rats given LEH on day 3 (that is, after they had developed hyperalgesia) showed reversal of hyperalgesia that persisted to day 5, whereas CCI rats given standard hydromorphone on day 3 showed only brief (approximately 90 min) reversal of hyperalgesia. Preemptive injection of LEH prevented hyperalgesia in this model for as long as 5 d. In addition, hyperalgesia was alleviated for at least 2 d after injection of a single dose of LEH. These results suggest that liposome-encapsulation of hydromorphone offers a convenient and effective means to provide relief from neuropathic pain in this rodent model.     

Antinociceptive effect of the C-terminus of murine S100A9 protein on experimental neuropathic pain

The synthetic peptide identical to the C-terminus of murine S100A9 protein (mS100A9p) has antinociceptive effect on different acute inflammatory pain models. In this study, the effect of mS100A9p was investigated on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in rats. Hyperalgesia, allodynia, and spontaneous pain were assessed to evaluate nociception. These three signs were detected as early as 2 days after sciatic nerve constriction and lasted for over 14 days after CCI. Rats were treated with different doses of mS100A9p by intraplantar, oral, or intrathecal routes on day 14 after CCI, and nociception was evaluated 1h later. These three routes of administration blocked hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain. The duration of the effect of mS100A9p depends on the route used and phenomenon analyzed. Moreover, intraplantar injection of mS100A9p in the contralateral paw inhibited the hyperalgesia on day 14 days after CCI. The results obtained herein demonstrate the antinociceptive effect of the C-terminus of murine S100A9 protein on experimental neuropathic pain, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for it in persistent pain syndromes, assuming that tolerance does not develop to mS100A9p.     

Assessment of Oxidative Parameters in Rat Spinal Cord After Chronic Constriction of the Sciatic Nerve

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in neuropathic pain, the direct relationship between these species and chronic constriction of sciatic nerve (CCI) has not been studied in spinal cord. Thus, this study induced CCI in rats and these animals were sacrificed 3 and 10?days after the surgical procedure to determine the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, as well as ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and lipid hydroperoxide levels in lumbosacral spinal cord. Von Frey Hair and hot plate tests were performed to assess the degree of mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia at days 0, 3 and 10. The results showed that CCI significantly induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia at days 3 and 10. Parallel there was increase in spinal cord lipid hydroperoxide at days 3 and 10 in rats submitted to CCI. In Sham rats a significant increase in this parameter occurred at day 10. H(2)O(2) decreased at day 10 only in CCI group. SOD activity was decreased in Sham and CCI groups at day 3, while catalase activity was increased in CCI rats at days 3 and 10. Ascorbic acid levels were reduced only in CCI rats at day 3. Although the role of such changes is unclear, many were not specific to neuropathic pain and the differences could be related to different degrees of central sensitization in Sham and CCI rats.