2-溴棕榈酸调节背根神经节中ASIC3蛋白的膜定位缓解大鼠骨癌痛（英文）

骨癌痛(BCP)是恶性肿瘤患者最常见的疼痛之一,严重影响患者的生活质量。BCP的分子作用机制和新药研发都迫在眉睫。2-溴棕榈酸(2-BP)作为一种蛋白质棕榈化抑制剂在病理性疼痛中有镇痛效果,而在骨癌痛中作用仍不清楚。酸敏感离子通道3型(ASIC3),作为一个重要的疼痛因子能否受到2-BP的调控也未知。为了检测2-BP在骨癌痛中的作用,并研究其对背根神经节(DRG)中ASIC3的调控,本文开展了相关工作。1)首先建立BCP大鼠模型,将大鼠乳腺癌细胞(MRMT-1)注射入雌大鼠胫骨骨髓腔内,21 d后通过X射线和机械痛检测,发现与假性手术组相比,BCP模型大鼠的胫骨被破坏;同时,BCP组大鼠的机械疼痛值明显上升(假性手术组PWT vs.BCP PWT:16.1±1.5 vs.5.3±1.5;P0.01);表明大鼠乳腺癌骨转移疼痛模型成功构建。2)蛋白质免疫印迹检测结果显示,与正常和假性手术组相比,BCP大鼠L4-L6 DRG中酸敏感离子通道3蛋白表达上调(0.63±0.03,0.64±0.1和1.07±0.05)。3)在术后第21 d,给BCP大鼠腹腔注射2-BP,发现给药组BCP大鼠的机械疼痛值下调(6 h后,PWT对照vs.PWT 2-BP:6.9±2.0 vs.10.8±1.6,P0.01),表明2-BP在骨癌痛模型大鼠中具有镇痛作用。4)蛋白质免疫印迹结果显示,与给药前相比,2-BP处理后降低了BCP大鼠L4-L6 DRG中膜上ASIC3蛋白的表达(1.05±0.13,0.66±0.12)。同时,在ASIC3介导的酸痛模型中,2-BP给药降低大鼠震颤的次数(对照组为27±1.8次,2-BP组为10±1.5次),表明2-BP给药阻断ASIC3介导的酸痛。5)在ASIC3转染的SH-SY5Y细胞中,与对照相比,2-BP给药后明显降低膜上ASIC3蛋白表达量(1.0±0.2,0.58±0.10)。这些结果表明,2-BP在骨癌痛中具有镇痛作用,其镇痛机制涉及到调控背根神经节中膜上酸敏感离子通道3的表达。     

大鼠脊髓背角神经元中酸敏感离子通道的特性和功能研究

酸敏感离子通道（ASICs）是一类能被细胞外酸所激活的配体门控离子通道。本文综合报道大鼠脊髓背角神经元中ASICs的亚基组成及其功能性调节：（1）脊髓背角主要表达ASIC1a、ASIC2a和ASIC2b,但不表达ASIC1b和ASIC3;（2）在脊髓背角神经元中酸诱导电流可能由ASIC1a同聚体通道所介导;（3）胞外痛觉信号如实验性缺血和神经肽FMRF可以通过不同的机制增强脊髓背角神经元酸诱导电流;（4）炎症痛可以上调脊髓背角ASICs在转录和蛋白水平的表达。上述各点提示,在生理或病理情况下脊髓背角ASICs对脊髓水平的感觉信息传递特别是痛觉的传导可能发挥着重要作用。     

鞘内注射AM_(22-52)对骨癌大鼠机械性痛觉超敏和背根神经节CCL2表达的影响

疼痛多肽肾上腺髓质素(adrenomedullin,AM)在病理性疼痛的产生中发挥重要作用。本研究旨在探讨AM在骨癌痛中的作用及其机制。在Sprague Dawley(SD)大鼠胫骨骨髓腔接种Walker 256乳腺癌细胞建立骨癌痛模型,术后15天鞘内插管给予选择性AM受体拮抗剂AM_(22-52),检测大鼠机械痛阈变化,用实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR,q PCR)检测背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)CC趋化因子配体2(CC chemokine ligand 2,CCL2)m RNA表达变化,用免疫荧光双标染色法检测CCL2和AM在DRG中的表达定位。结果显示,肿瘤细胞接种第6至15天,骨癌痛大鼠接种侧后足机械痛阈降低;接种后第15天胫骨骨质明显被破坏、骨密度降低,DRG CCL2 m RNA表达相对对照组增加约3倍(P0.001)。鞘内注射AM_(22-52)能使后足机械痛阈值回升到正常,并抑制骨癌诱发的CCL2 m RNA增加(P0.001)。CCL2在正常大鼠DRG神经元有表达,且多与AM分布在相同细胞上。以上结果提示,AM在骨癌痛的产生中发挥作用;DRG中AM活动增加会上调CCL2的表达,可能是继发性骨癌时AM参与诱发痛觉高敏产生的细胞学机制。     

有氧运动激活肥胖大鼠前额叶PPARγ-PI3K-Akt通路并促进神经可塑性相关蛋白表达

采用高脂饮食建立肥胖大鼠模型,使用Western印迹检测大鼠前额叶PPARγ- PI3K-Akt通路及神经可塑性相关蛋白质表达,明确高脂饮食诱导肥胖后对大鼠前额叶神经可塑性影响及观察有氧运动的调节作用。结果表明,与对照组（CS）相比,高脂饮食肥胖大鼠（OS）前额叶过氧化物酶体增殖剂激活受体（PPARγ）（0.46±0.07 vs. 0.81±0.09, P<0.01）、p-PI3K/PI3K（0.21±0.04 vs. 0.36±0.03, P<0.05）与p-Akt/Akt（0.22±0.04 vs. 0.33±0.05, P<0.05）比值、脑源性神经生长因子（BDNF）（0.71±0.08 vs. 1.06±0.10, P<0.01）及突触素（SYN）（0.18±0.03 vs. 0.36±0.03, P<0.01）表达均显著下降;凋亡相关蛋白质胱天蛋白酶9（0.37±0.05 vs. 0.18±0.01, P<0.01）表达及Bax/Bcl-2（2.95±0.73 vs. 0.94±0.18, P<0.01）比值显著升高。有氧运动后,与安静肥胖组(OS)相比,肥胖运动组(OE)大鼠前额叶PPARγ（0.65±0.11 vs. 0.46±0.07, P<0.05）、p-PI3K/PI3K（0.33±0.06 vs. 0.21±1.04, P<0.05）与p-Akt/Akt（0.31±0.05 vs. 0.22±0.04, P<0.05）比值显著上调;胱天蛋白酶9（0.22±0.04 vs. 0.37±0.05, P<0.05）及Bax/Bcl-2（1.74±0.43 vs. 2.95±0.43 P<0.05）比值显著下调。但是,BDNF（0.92±0.16 vs. 0.71±0.08）及SYN（0.30±0.04 vs. 0.18±0.03）表达无显著差异。结果提示,高脂饮食可导致肥胖大鼠前额叶神经可塑性相关蛋白质表达下降,其机制可能与神经细胞凋亡的发生有关。有氧运动可通过激活PPAR-γ-PI3K-Akt通路途径抑制细胞凋亡的发生,促进神经可塑性相关蛋白质的表达。     

HCN2在大鼠外周神经病理性疼痛发生中的作用

目的：初步探讨超极化激活的环核苷酸门控通道2型（HCN2）在外周神经病理性疼痛发生中的作用。方法：将24只健康成年大鼠进行随机分组（n=12）：假手术组（Sham）大鼠仅分离左侧L4、L5脊神经,模型组（SNL）分离脊神经后进行相应的结扎处理,手术7 d后用行为学方法进行模型评价;将造模成功的大鼠进行随机分组（n=6）：①阴性对照组（Saline）,左侧足底注射生理盐水;②阳性对照组（GBPT）,腹腔注射加巴喷丁;③实验组（ZD7288）,左侧足底注射HCN非特异性阻断剂ZD7288。在给药前以及给药后1 h、4 h、24 h、48 h用疼痛行为学实验检测其对神经病理性疼痛的作用;分别取手术前对照组（Control）、假手术组（Sham）和模型组（SNL）大鼠的背根神经节（DRG）（n=6）,利用qPCR和Western blot的方法研究造模前后大鼠DRG内HCN2的表达的变化情况。结果：①成功建立大鼠神经痛模型;②与Saline组比较,GBPT组和ZD7288组在注射1 h后,均能明显的减轻大鼠神经病理性疼痛的症状（P<0.01）,而GBPT组和ZD7288组之间比较则无差异;③与Control组和Sham组相比较,SNL组大鼠DRG内的HCN2 mRNA表达量明显增加（P<0.01）;与Control组和Sham组相比较,SNL组大鼠DRG内的HCN2通道蛋白表达量显著增加（P<0.05）。结论：HCN2参与外周神经病理性疼痛的发生,并有可能成为治疗神经病理性疼痛一个潜在的新靶点。     

慢性炎症痛引起DRG感觉神经元P2X3受体表达的改变

目的探讨脊髓背根神经节（dorsal root ganglia,DRG）P2X3受体参与大鼠足底慢性炎症痛相关的热痛觉过敏机制。方法 1）用行为学的研究方法,以大鼠右侧后脚掌注射松节油加石蜡（各占50％）0．1ml建立后脚掌慢性痛模型,用热测痛的方法测量后脚掌皮下注射松节油后的痛阈,每天1次,连续测15d。2）用免疫组织化学技术观察大鼠后脚掌慢性炎症后第2天和第7天,炎症侧脊髓背根神经节（L4—6）神经元中P2X,受体阳性细胞类型的分布变化;以及正常脊髓背根神经节（L4—6）神经元中P2X,受体阳性细胞类型的分布作为对照。结果1）炎症后大鼠后脚掌侧痛阈出现降低,在第2天痛阈达到最低,后逐渐恢复,14d后恢复正常痛阈值。2）正常大鼠P2X,主要表达于DRG的中小神经元上,炎症后DRG（L4—6）,中小型P2X,受体阳性细胞数比对照组明显增加。细胞平均面积增大。结论后脚掌慢性炎症痛可以引起大鼠对伤害性热刺激的痛觉过敏,并导致脊髓背根神经节（L4—6）神经元qbP2X3受体阳性细胞数目增加,表明P2X3在DRG的中小神经元的改变可能对松节油引起脚掌炎症痛时热痛觉过敏的形成与维持起重要作用。     

苦参注射液联合普瑞巴林对脊神经结扎大鼠疼痛的影响

目的:探讨苦参注射液与普瑞巴林合用的镇痛效果,为临床用药提供实验依据。方法:通过结扎L5脊神经建立大鼠神经病理性疼痛模型。按照痛阈值将模型成功大鼠随机分为3组,分别为肌肉注射苦参注射液、口服普瑞巴林、苦参注射液和普瑞巴林联合用药。采用Von Frey纤维丝测定机械痛阈值,热板法测定热痛阈值,比较3组大鼠的机械痛阈值和热痛阈值的差异。结果:苦参注射液组大鼠机械痛镇痛效果第7天出现,热痛镇痛效果第21天出现,大鼠机械痛阈值和热痛阈值显著升高。口服普瑞巴林组大鼠机械痛阈值和热痛阈值在30分钟内显著升高,但机械痛阈值在给药第8天时下降到给药前水平,热痛阈值给药第5天时下降到给药前水平。联合使用苦参注射液和普瑞巴林,大鼠机械痛阈值和热痛阈值于给药后第1天显著升高,镇痛效果一直维持至实验结束(第28天)。结论:苦参注射液镇痛起效慢,不易产生耐受性。普瑞巴林镇痛起效快,但容易产生耐受。二者联合使用既可短时间内起到镇痛效果,并且不易产生耐受。     

白藜芦醇通过调节SIRT1/NF-κB通路减轻力竭训练致大鼠肾脏炎症反应

白藜芦醇是天然存在的沉默信息调节因子2相关酶1(sirtuin1，SIRT1)小分子激动剂，其肾的保护作用已在多种肾疾病动物模型中得到了验证。然而，白藜芦醇是否能够改善力竭训练导致的大鼠肾损伤，以及是否通过SIRT1/NF κB信号通路调节运动性肾损伤大鼠肾炎症反应，尚缺乏系统研究。本研究将32只SD大鼠随机分为安静对照组(Con组)，白藜芦醇组（Rsv组），力竭运动组（Ex组），力竭运动+白藜芦醇组（Ex+Rsv组）。Rsv和Ex+Rsv组每天灌胃50 mg/kg体重剂量的白藜芦醇， Ex和Ex+Rsv组进行4周力竭训练，最后1次训练后24 h取材。本研究结果显示，与Con组相比，Ex组大鼠Scr（175.66 ± 16.08 vs.153.34 ± 8.67，P < 0.01）、BUN（6.67 ± 0.53 vs.5.37 ± 019，P < 0.01）和尿NGAL（9.01 ± 0.18 vs.7.48 ± 0.31，P < 0.01）水平均显著升高，Ex组大鼠肾组织NF κB P65在蛋白质水平表达显著升高（0.77 ± 010 vs. 0.27 ± 0.03，P < 0.01）；各组大鼠肾组织SIRT1在蛋白质水平表达上，Rsv组显著高于Con组（0.90 ± 0.14 vs. 0.43 ± 0.15，P < 0.05），Ex+Rsv组显著高于Ex组（1.0 ± 0.28 vs. 0.38 ± 0.12，P< 001）；与Ex组相比，Ex+Rsv组大鼠肾组织NF-κB P65（0.57 ± 0.13 vs. 0.77 ± 0.10，P < 0.05）和Ac-NF-κB P65（0.52 ± 0.13 vs. 0.78 ± 0.11，P < 0.05）在蛋白质水平表达显著降低。以上结果表明，4周大强度力竭运动导致大鼠出现运动性肾损伤，并激活大鼠肾NF-κB的表达。白藜芦醇可显著提高大鼠肾组织SIRT1在蛋白质水平的表达，并增加脱乙酰化作用，降低NF-κB P65蛋白质乙酰化修饰水平，进一步降低NF-κB的表达。白藜芦醇减轻力竭训练致大鼠肾的炎症反应的机制可能与SIRT1/NF-κB通路有关。     

藏药七十味珍珠丸改善APP/PS1小鼠学习记忆能力

藏药七十味珍珠丸（ratanasampil,RNSP）可改善大脑氧化应激水平,改善大脑功能,有安神和促进学习记忆的功效,然而RNSP是否可改善阿尔茨海默症（AD）小鼠的学习记忆功能,尚缺乏系统研究。本研究采用APP/PS 1转基因小鼠为研究对象,并随机将其分为实验组和对照组。对实验组进行为期12周的RNSP灌胃给药,对照组进行12周的蒸馏水灌胃,采用Morris水迷宫与开场实验评价小鼠学习记忆能力,比较小鼠体重与相关器官质量,并比较器官质量指数,通过分子生物学检测指标评价小鼠脑内老年斑数量,Aβ生成量及BACE1表达水平。本研究证实,与对照组相比,给药组小鼠定位航行潜伏期明显缩短（22.60±13.26 vs. 46.44±8.41, P<0.01, day 5）,穿越平台次数明显增加（1.29±0.37 vs. 0.54±0.29, P<0.01）,探洞次数明显增加（32.11±9.85 vs. 20.89±8.78, P<0.05）,表明RNSP提高了APP/PS 1小鼠的学习记忆能力和空间探索能力。与对照组相比,给药组小鼠大脑重量及脑质量指数均增高（0.4135±0.0102 vs. 0.3833±0.0254, P<0.05;2.04±0.08 vs. 1.84±0.15, P<0.05）,脑内老年斑数量减少（18.70±7.88 vs. 38.83±6.15, P<0.05）,Aβ1- 42水平及BACE1表达均显著降低（0.19±0.08 vs. 0.41±0.12, P<0.05; 0.136±0.04 vs. 0.206±0.02, P<0.05）,表明RNSP延缓了APP/PS 1小鼠的脑萎缩进程,降低脑内老年斑的形成,下调脑内Aβ1-42水平和BACE1裂解酶的蛋白质表达量。本研究提示,RNSP可改善APP/PS 1小鼠的学习记忆能力,其机制可能和RNSP抑制脑萎缩,降低BACE1蛋白表达以及减少脑内Aβ沉积有关。     

木犀草素对子痫前期大鼠滋养层细胞凋亡的影响及其机制

目的探讨木犀草素（LUT）对子痫前期（PE）大鼠滋养层细胞凋亡的影响及其机制。 方法取妊娠10 d SD大鼠,按随机数字表法随机分为对照组、模型组、20、40、60 mmol/L LUT （LUT-L、LUT-M、LUT-H）组,每组各12只,模型组和给药组大鼠皮下注射100 mg/（kg·d）亚硝基左旋精氨酸甲酯建立PE大鼠模型,对照组大鼠皮下注射等量生理盐水,每天1次,注射6 d。妊娠16 d的大鼠分别予以20、40、60 mmol/L LUT腹腔注射,对照组、模型组大鼠腹腔注射等量生理盐水,每天1次,注射5 d。测量各组大鼠妊娠10、16、21 d尾动脉血压及24 h尿蛋白水平;妊娠21 d,原位末端标记法（TUNEL）检测滋养层组织细胞凋亡情况,Western blot法检测滋养层组织B淋巴细胞瘤-2 （Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关X蛋（Bax）、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（PI3K）、磷酸化PI3K （p-PI3K）、蛋白激酶B （Akt）、磷酸化AKT （p-Akt）、内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）和磷酸化eNOS （p-eNOS）蛋白表达量。多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,组间两两比较采用SNK-q检验。 结果妊娠10 d,各组大鼠尾动脉收缩压、舒张压、24 h尿蛋白含量差异无统计学意义;妊娠16 d,与对照组比较,模型组、LUT-L组、LUT-M组、LUT-H组大鼠尾动脉收缩压、舒张压、24 h尿蛋白含量升高（P均< 0.05）;妊娠21 d,与对照组比较,模型组、LUT-L组、LUT-M组、LUT-H组收缩压[（110.33±3.67）比（147.28±4.16）,（131.29±4.31）,（124.46±4.27）,（118.54±4.18）mmHg]、24 h蛋白尿、细胞凋亡率[（1.38±0.34）%,（43.45±3.72）%,（39.21±3.53）%,（27.86±3.41）%,（23.21±3.28）%]和Bax蛋白表达量均升高;Bcl-2、p-PI3K/PI3K （1.06±0.09比0.25±0.02,0.37±0.03,0.57±0.06,0.73±0.08）、p-Akt/Akt（0.87±0.08比0.11±0.01,0.23±0.03,0.56±0.07,0.78±0.06）和p-eNOS/eNOS蛋白表达水平（0.85±0.07比0.09±0.01,0.16±0.02,0.38±0.04,0.69±0.07）均降低（P均< 0.05）。与模型组比较,LUT-L组、LUT-M组、LUT-H组大鼠尾动脉收缩压、舒张压、滋养层组织细胞凋亡率和Bax蛋白表达量降低,Bcl-2、p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt和p-eNOS/eNOS蛋白表达量升高（P均< 0.05）。 结论LUT可抑制PE大鼠滋养层组织细胞凋亡,其机制可能与PI3K/Akt/eNOS信号通路激活,调控凋亡相关蛋白表达有关。     

SIRT1 activation by SRT1720 attenuates bone cancer pain via preventing Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission

Bone cancer pain (BCP) is the pain induced by primary bone cancer or tumor metastasis. Increasing evidence and our previous studies have shown that mammalian silent information regulator 2?homolog (SIRT1) is involved in periphery sensitization and central sensitization of BCP, and the underlying mechanism of SIRT1 in bone cancer pain may provide clues for pain treatment. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is an essential regulator for mitochondrial fission. In this research, BCP model rats were established by injecting MRMT-1 rat mammary gland carcinoma cells into the left tibia of female Sprague-Dawley rats and validated by tibia radiographs, histological examination and mechanical pain test. As a result BCP rats exhibited bone destruction and sensitivity mechanical pain. BCP increased inflammatory cells infiltration and apoptosis, reduced SIRT1 protein expression and phosphorylation, and elevated Drp1 expression in spinal cord. An agonist of SIRT1 named SRT1720 intrathecal treatment in BCP rats increased SIRT1 phosphorylation, reduced the up-regulated Drp1 expression, and reversed pain behavior. SRT1720 also regulated Bcl-2/BAX and cleaved caspase-3 expressions, and inhibited mitochondrial apoptosis in spinal cord of BCP rats. For in vitro research, SRT1720 treatment decreased Drp1 expression in a dose-dependent manner, blocked CCCP-induced mitochondrial membrane potential change, consequently reduced apoptosis and promoted proliferation. These data suggest that SIRT1 activation by SRT1720 attenuated bone cancer pain via preventing Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission. Our results provide new targets for therapeutics of bone cancer pain.     

Suppressing PKC-dependent membrane P2X3 receptor upregulation in dorsal root ganglia mediated electroacupuncture analgesia in rat painful diabetic neuropathy

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common and troublesome diabetes complication. Protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated dorsal root ganglia (DRG) P2X3 receptor upregulation is one important mechanism underlying PDN. Accumulating evidence demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) at low frequency could effectively attenuate neuropathic pain. Our previous study showed that 2-Hz EA could relieve pain well in PDN. The study aimed to investigate whether 2-Hz EA relieves pain in PDN through suppressing PKC-mediated DRG P2X3 receptor upregulation. A 7-week feeding of high-fat and high-sugar diet plus a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in a dose of 35 mg/kg after a 5-week feeding of the diet successfully induced type 2 PDN in rats as revealed by the elevated body weight, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and insulin resistance, and the reduced paw withdrawal threshold (PWT), as well as the destructive ultrastructural change of sciatic nerve. DRG plasma membrane P2X3 receptor level and DRG PKC expression were elevated. Two-hertz EA failed to improve peripheral neuropathy; however, it reduced PWT, DRG plasma membrane P2X3 receptor level, and DRG PKC expression in PDN rats. Intraperitoneal administration of P2X3 receptor agonist αβ-meATP or PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) blocked 2-Hz EA analgesia. Furthermore, PMA administration increased DRG plasma membrane P2X3 receptor level in PDN rats subject to 2-Hz EA treatment. These findings together indicated that the analgesic effect of EA in PDN is mediated by suppressing PKC-dependent membrane P2X3 upregulation in DRG. EA at low frequency is a valuable approach for PDN control.     

Acid-sensing ion channels 3: a potential therapeutic target for pain treatment in arthritis

Acid-sensing ion channels 3 (ASIC3) is the most sensitive to such a pH change, predominantly distributed in the sensory peripheral nervous system, and strongly correlated with pain. Recently, there is increasing evidence that ASIC3 may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory pain diseases due to it is predominantly expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons making it a good candidate for a pain sensor. Elevated expression of ASIC3 was found in DRG of rodents with inflamed hind paws. In addition, it has been shown that ASIC3 gene knock-out mice (ASIC3−/−) exhibited no enhanced hyperalgesia in inflamed joint. All theses findings suggest that ASIC3 have important biological effects in inflammation that might be a promising therapeutic target for arthritis pain. In this review, we will briefly discuss the biological features of ASIC3 and summarize recent advances on the role of ASIC3 in the pathogenesis and treatment of arthritis pain.     

Electroacupuncture alleviates diabetic neuropathic pain in rats by suppressing P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a troublesome diabetes complication all over the world. P2X3 receptor (P2X3R), a purinergic receptor from dorsal root ganglion (DRG), has important roles in neuropathic pain pathology and nociceptive sensations. Here, we investigated the involvement of DRG P2X3R and the effect of 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) on DNP. We monitored the rats’ body weight, fasting blood glucose level, paw withdrawal thresholds, and paw withdrawal latency, and evaluated P2X3R expression in DRG. We found that P2X3R expression is upregulated on DNP, while 2 Hz EA is analgesic against DNP and suppresses P2X3R expression in DRG. To evaluate P2X3R involvement in pain modulation, we then treated the animals with A317491, a P2X3R specific antagonist, or α β-me ATP, a P2X3R agonist. We found that A317491 alleviates hyperalgesia, while α β-me ATP blocks EA’s analgesic effects. Our findings indicated that 2 Hz EA alleviates DNP, possibly by suppressing P2X3R upregulation in DRG.

     

Role of sodium ferulate in the nociceptive sensory facilitation of neuropathic pain injury mediated by P2X(3) receptor

Neuropathic pain usually is persistent and no effective treatment. ATP plays an important role in the initiation of pain. P2X(3) receptors are localized in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and activated by extracellular ATP. Sodium ferulate (SF) is an active principle from Chinese herbal medicine and has anti-inflammatory activities. This study observed the effects of SF on the nociceptive facilitation of the primary sensory afferent after chronic constriction injury (CCI) mediated by P2X(3) receptor. In this study, the content of ATP in DRG neurons was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). P2X(3) agonist-activated currents in DRG neurons was recorded by the whole-cell patch-clamp skill. The expression of P2X(3) mRNA in DRG neurons was analyzed by in situ hybridization. The ATP content of DRG was increased after CCI. In CCI rats treated with SF, the content of ATP in DRG neurons was reduced. SF decreased the increment of P2X(3) agonist-activated currents and P2X(3) mRNA expression in DRG neurons during CCI. SF may inhibit the initiation of pain and primary afferent sensitization mediated by P2X(3) receptor during CCI.     

Analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on chronic neuropathic pain mediated by P2X3 receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate disodium (ATP) gated P2X receptors, especially the subtype P2X(3), play a key role in transmission of pain signals in neuropathic pain, ATP has been documented to play a significant role in the progression of pain signals, suggesting that control of these pathways through electroacupuncture (EA) is potentially an effective treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. EA has been accepted to effectively manage chronic pain by applying the stimulating current to acupoints through acupuncture needles. To determine the significance of EA on neuropathic pain mediated by P2X(3) receptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were recorded, and the expression of P2X(3) receptors in the DRG neurons was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). In addition, the currents which were evoked in DRG neurons isolated from rats following chronic constriction injury (CCI) by the P2X(3) receptors agonists i.e. ATP and α,β-methylen-ATP (α,β-meATP) were examined through the experimental use of whole cell patch clamp recording. The present study demonstrates that EA treatment can increase the MWT and TWL values and decrease the expression of P2X(3) receptors in DRG neurons in CCI rats. Simultaneously, EA treatment attenuates the ATP and α,β-meATP evoked currents. EA may be expected to induce an apparent induce analgesic effect by decreasing expression and inhibiting P2X(3) receptors in DRG neurons of CCI rats. There is a similar effect on analgesic effect between rats with contralateral EA and those with ipsilateral EA.     

P2Y<Subscript>12</Subscript> receptor upregulation in satellite glial cells is involved in neuropathic pain induced by HIV glycoprotein 120 and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine

The direct neurotoxicity of HIV and neurotoxicity of combination antiretroviral therapy medications both contribute to the development of neuropathic pain. Activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) plays a crucial role in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. The P2Y₁₂ receptor expressed in SGCs of the DRG is involved in pain transmission. In this study, we explored the role of the P2Y₁₂ receptor in neuropathic pain induced by HIV envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) combined with ddC (2′,3′-dideoxycytidine). A rat model of gp120+ddC-induced neuropathic pain was used. Peripheral nerve exposure to HIV-gp120+ddC increased mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in gp120+ddC-treated model rats. The gp120+ddC treatment increased expression of P2Y₁₂ receptor mRNA and protein in DRG SGCs. In primary cultured DRG SGCs treated with gp120+ddC, the levels of [Ca²⁺]_i activated by the P2Y₁₂ receptor agonist 2-(Methylthio) adenosine 5′-diphosphate trisodium salt (2-MeSADP) were significantly increased. P2Y₁₂ receptor shRNA treatment inhibited 2-MeSADP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i in primary cultured DRG SGCs treated with gp120+ddC. Intrathecal treatment with a shRNA against P2Y₁₂ receptor in DRG SGCs reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in the DRG of gp120+ddC-treated rats. Thus, downregulating the P2Y₁₂ receptor relieved mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in gp120+ddC-treated rats.     

Vatalanib decrease the positive interaction of VEGF receptor-2 and P2X(2/3) receptor in chronic constriction injury rats

Neuropathic pain can arise from a lesion affecting the peripheral nervous system. Selective P2X(3) and P2X(2/3) receptors' antagonists effectively reduce neuropathic pain. VEGF inhibitors are effective for pain relief. The present study investigated the effects of Vatalanib (VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) inhibitor) on the neuropathic pain to address the interaction of VEGFR-2 and P2X(2/3) receptor in dorsal root ganglia of chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats. Neuropathic pain symptoms following CCI are similar to most peripheral lesions as assessed by the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, CCI group and CCI rats treated with Vatalanib group. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were measured. Co-expression of VEGFR-2 and P2X(2) or P2X(3) in L4-6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was detected by double-label immunofluorescence. The modulation effect of VEGF on P2X(2/3) receptor agonist-activated currents in freshly isolated DRG neurons of rats both of sham and CCI rats was recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) in CCI group were lower than those in sham group (p<0.05). MWT and TWL in CCI rats treated with Vatalanib group were increased compared with those in CCI group (p<0.05). VEGFR-2 and P2X(2) or P2X(3) receptors were co-expressed in the cytoplasm and surface membranes of DRG. The co-expression of VEGFR-2 and P2X(2) or P2X(3) receptor in CCI group exhibited more intense staining than those in sham group and CCI rats treated with Vatalanib group, respectively. VEGF enhanced the amplitude of ATP and α,β-meATP -activated currents of both sham and CCI rats. Increment effects of VEGF on ATP and α,β-meATP -activated currents in CCI rats were higher than those in sham rats. Both ATP (100 μM) and α,β-meATP (10 μM)- activated currents enhanced by VEGF ( 1nM) were significantly blocked by Vatalanib (1 μM, an inhibitor of VEGF receptors). The stain values of VEGFR-2, P2X(2) and P2X(3) protein expression in L4/5 DRG of CCI treated with Vatalanib group were significantly decreased compared with those in CCI group (p<0.01). Vatalanib can alleviate chronic neuropathic pain by decreasing the activation of VEGF on VEGFR-2 and the positive interaction between the up-regulated VEGFR-2 and P2X(2/3) receptors in the neuropathic pain signaling.     

ASIC3, a sensor of acidic and primary inflammatory pain

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are cationic channels activated by extracellular acidosis that are expressed in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Although peripheral ASICs seem to be natural sensors of acidic pain (e.g., in inflammation, ischaemia, lesions or tumours), a direct demonstration is still lacking. We show that approximately 60% of rat cutaneous sensory neurons express ASIC3-like currents. Native as well as recombinant ASIC3 respond synergistically to three different inflammatory signals that are slight acidifications (approximately pH 7.0), hypertonicity and arachidonic acid (AA). Moderate pH, alone or in combination with hypertonicity and AA, increases nociceptors excitability and produces pain suppressed by the toxin APETx2, a specific blocker of ASIC3. Both APETx2 and the in vivo knockdown of ASIC3 with a specific siRNA also have potent analgesic effects against primary inflammation-induced hyperalgesia in rat. Peripheral ASIC3 channels are thus essential sensors of acidic pain and integrators of molecular signals produced during inflammation where they contribute to primary hyperalgesia.