坐骨神经结扎后大鼠背根神经节和脊髓CGRP表达的变化

目的研究大鼠坐骨神经结扎后降钙素基因相关肽(calcitoningene-relatedpeptide,CGRP)表达变化。方法SD大鼠随机分为假手术对照组和坐骨神经结扎组,实验组结扎后分别存活1、3、5、7、14、21和28d(n=8),免疫荧光(双标法)和免疫组织化学(SABC法)观察术后不同时间点CGRP和NGF在坐骨神经、背根神经节(dorsalrootganglion,DRG)和脊髓的表达变化,Westernblot结合图像分析技术对不同时间的变化进行定量测定。结果术后1d结扎远端坐骨神经内NGF大量堆积,持续到28d仍高于正常。结扎后7dDRG内CGRP阳性细胞百分率减少,持续到28d仍低于正常;结扎后14d脊髓后角CGRP下降,28d仍低于正常,各时间点脊髓前角CGRP表达未见明显变化。结论神经结扎可导致DRG和脊髓后角的CGRP表达下调,可能与靶源性的NGF来源减少有关。     

福尔马林致痛对大鼠脊髓和背根神经节的P2X3的影响

目的:探索福尔马林致痛后大鼠脊髓和背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)的P2X3表达变化。方法:选取健康成年正常SD大鼠25只,分正常对照组和实验组;实验组为右侧足底皮下给予0.1ml 5%福尔马林,分别观察15min、30min、1h、3h后处死,采用免疫组织化学方法及图像分析技术检测脊髓腰段及L4～6背根节P2X3的表达情况。结果:与正常对照组相比,实验15min、30min、1h组脊髓后角Ⅱ层P2X3表达未见变化,实验3h组可见P2X3表达升高,但未见明显差异;实验15min、30min组DRG神经元P2X3表达未见变化,1h组开始表达上调,3h组表达明显升高,与各组相比有显著性差异。结论:福尔马林致痛能引起脊髓和背根神经节P2X3的表达上调,可能是其产生伤害性作用的机制之一。     

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。     

基于TRPV1和P2X3交互作用的大鼠外周痛感觉调控机制

目的 观察大鼠外周TRPV1和P2X3的相互关系,以期部分阐明外周痛感觉调控机制。方法雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、TRPV1激动剂组、P2X3激动剂组、TRPV1激动剂+P2X3激动剂组、TPRV1激动剂+P2X3抑制剂组、P2X3激动剂+TRPV1抑制剂组。通过足底皮下注射TRPV1或P2X3激动剂和(或)抑制剂,分别观察20min内各组大鼠缩足次数、抬腿/舔足持续时间;采用免疫荧光法观察L4DRG水平TRPV1和P2X3阳性面积表达及共表达情况;采用免疫共沉淀法观察L4DRG水平TRPV1和P2X3的相互关系。结果 P2X3激动剂不能提升TRPV1激动剂诱发的痛行为学,P2X3抑制剂能减轻TRPV1激动剂诱发的痛行为学;TRPV1激动剂能增加P2X3激动剂诱发的痛行为学,TRPV1抑制剂不会减轻P2X3激动剂诱发的痛行为。P2X3激动剂能增加L4DRG水平TRPV1阳性面积表达,TRPV1激动剂能增加L4DRG水平P2X3阳性面积表达;TRPV1和P2X3在DRG水平有共表达且存在共沉淀现象。结论 外周神经元水平,TRPV1和P2X3之间存在一定的相互作用。两者可以相互促进对方的表达。当其中一方受到抑制时,另一方的功能也会相应的降低。     

大鼠坐骨神经切断后谷氨酰胺合成酶在DRG内的表达变化

目的:观察坐骨神经切断后不同时间点背根神经节(DRG)内谷氨酰胺转化酶(GS)的表达变化。方法:48只SD大鼠随机分为实验组和正常对照组,其中实验组左侧为对照侧,右侧行坐骨神经切断。实验组大鼠分别存活1、3、7、14或21天。免疫组化方法检测DRG中GS的表达。结果:正常组DRG内GS主要表达于卫星细胞。坐骨神经切断1天后GS表达增加,明显高于正常组(P<0.05),3天时GS表达下降,7d时恢复正常。14天、21天时GS表达继续下降,明显低于正常组(P<0.05)。实验组手术侧和对照侧GS表达无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:坐骨神经切断后DRG内GS表达存在时空变化,这可能与坐骨神经切断后DRG内谷氨酸介导的兴奋性毒性有关。     

背根神经节P2X3受体表达上调在糖尿病神经痛中的作用

目的本研究拟观察注射链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)后大鼠不同时期背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)上嘌呤受体(purinergic receptor subtype,P2X3)的表达情况及P2X3受体拮抗剂TNP-ATP对糖尿病神经痛(diabetic neuropathic pain,DNP)大鼠的干预作用。方法 (1) 20只健康雄性SD大鼠随机选取6只选取作为正常组,其余14只大鼠予以腹腔注射STZ,剔除未成模的2只大鼠,分别观察造模前(Base),造模后7 d、14 d、21 d的机械缩爪阈值(paw withdrawal threshold,PWT)变化情况;并在上述各时间点取大鼠L4-L6 DRG,采用免疫荧光法检测L4-L6 DRG上P2X3阳性细胞表达情况。(2)将25只健康雄性SD大鼠随机选取6只作为正常+生理盐水(Control+NS)组,其余19只予以STZ注射,剔除未成模大鼠1只,成功建立DNP的大鼠随机分为模型+生理盐水(DNP+NS)组,模型+50 nmol P2X3抑制剂TNP-ATP组(DNP+50 nmol TNP-ATP),模型+100 nmol P2X3抑制剂TNP-ATP组(DNP+100 nmol TNP-ATP),每组6只; STZ注射14 d后,DNP+TNP-ATP组分别按照上述剂量予以足背注射TNP-ATP溶液,其余两组分别予以注射等量NS,观察注射后0.5、1、1.5 h大鼠PWT变化。同时观察连续注射7 d药物对大鼠PWT的影响。结果 (1)与正常组比较,模型组大鼠第7天、第14天及第21天空腹血糖显著升高;与正常组比较,模型组大鼠Day 7 PWT无明显改变,第14天、第21天PWT显著降低。免疫荧光结果显示,与正常组相比,STZ注射7、14、21 d后,DNP大鼠L4、L5 DRG上P2X3的阳性细胞的表达显著升高,STZ注射14、21 d后,DNP大鼠L6 DRG上P2X3的阳性细胞的表达显著升高。(2) TNP-ATP干预前,DNP+NS组与DNP+50 nmol TNP-ATP组、DNP+100 nmol TNP-ATP组PWT无显著差异;干预0.5 h后,与DNP+NS组、DNP+50 nmol TNP-ATP组相比,DNP+100 nmol TNP-ATP组PWT明显升高,效果持续至1 h。(3)连续注射7 d TNP-ATP后,DNP+100 nmol TNP-ATP组PWT较DNP+NS组与DNP+50 nmol TNPATP组明显升高。结论腹腔注射STZ可成功建立DNP大鼠模型,背根神经节P2X3表达上调参与糖尿病神经痛的调节。     

大鼠损伤坐骨神经远侧端CNTF表达的免疫组织化学研究

目的：探讨大鼠坐骨神经损伤后CNTF的表达和变化。方法：采用抗CNTF抗免疫组织化学方法和计算机图像处理系统定量观察大鼠正常坐骨神经与坐骨神经横断损伤后1周、2周、4周神经远侧端CNTF的表达。结果：正常大鼠坐骨神经具有高水平的CNTF免疫阳性反应,坐骨神经损伤后1周、2周、4周远侧端神经中CNTF免疫阳性反应均低于正常坐骨神经,免疫阳性反应强度为正常＞伤后1周＞伤后2周＞伤后4周,呈逐渐减弱趋势。结论：大鼠坐骨神经损伤后远侧端神经中CNTF的表达呈下调性变化。     

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。     

电针对炎性痛大鼠背根神经节卫星胶质细胞活化和P2X7受体表达的干预

目的观察电针对慢性炎性痛大鼠患侧足跖机械痛阈(paw withdrawal thresholds,PWTs)以及背根神经节(dorsal root ganglia,DRG)内卫星胶质细胞及其P2X7受体活化的影响,探讨电针抗大鼠炎性痛的外周机制。方法第一部分:将大鼠完全随机分为空白组(Con group,n=12)、炎性痛组(CFA group,n=12)、炎性痛+电针组(CFA+EA group,n=12)、炎性痛+假电针组(CFA+s EA group,n=12)。炎性痛大鼠于右后足掌侧正中皮下注射完全弗氏佐剂(complete freud’s adjuvant,CFA)每只0.1 m L构建模型;电针处理取穴"足三里"、"昆仑",电针参数为疏密波,频率2/100 Hz,强度0.5-1-1.5 m A(每个强度治疗10 min),每日1次,连续7 d。检测造模前和造模后1、3、7、8、10、12、14 d各组大鼠机械痛阈,采用免疫印迹法检测造模后14 d各组大鼠患侧DRG中神经胶质酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)及P2X7受体活化情况。第二部分:将大鼠随机分为炎性痛+DMSO组(CFA+DMSO group,n=8)、炎性痛+P2X7R抑制剂A740003组(CFA+A740003 group,n=10)、炎性痛+电针+生理盐水组(CFA+EA+NS group,n=8)、炎性痛+电针+P2X7R激动剂Bz ATP组(CFA+EA+Bz ATP group,n=12),分别鞘内注射相应药物。分别于手术前、造模前、造模后和给药后各时点检测大鼠PWTs变化。结果 (1) CFA致炎性模型大鼠痛阈显著下降(P 0.01),电针治疗后其机械痛阈显著升高(P 0.01)。CFA足底注射14 d后,大鼠患侧L4-6 DRG中GFAP、P2X7蛋白表达显著增多(P 0.05);电针显著抑制大鼠患侧L4-6 DRG中GFAP、P2X7蛋白表达(P 0.05),而CFA+s EA组却无明显变化(P 0.05)。(2)与CFA+DMSO组比较,鞘内注射P2X7抑制剂A740003显著提高CFA大鼠机械痛阈(P 0.01); CFA+EA+Bz ATP组大鼠PWTs明显低于CFA+EA+NS组(P 0.01)。结论抑制大鼠背根神经节卫星胶质细胞活化和P2X7受体表达参与电针抗慢性炎性痛,可能是电针镇痛外周机制之一。     

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

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; P<0.01）;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, P<0.01）,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。     

Anti-allodynic effects of intrathecally and intracerebroventricularly administered 26RFa, an intrinsic agonist for GRP103, in the rat partial sciatic nerve ligation model

26RFa and QRFP are endogenous ligands of GPR103. 26RFa binding sites are widely distributed in the brain and the spinal cord where they are involved in processing pain. In the present study, the effects of intrathecal and intracerebroventricular applications of 26RFa on the level of mechanical allodynia induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation were examined in rats. The level of mechanical allodynia was measured using von Frey filaments. Intrathecal and intracerebroventricular injection of 26RFa attenuated the level of mechanical allodynia. 26RFa has been reported to activate not only GPR103 but also neuropeptide FF2 receptor and the effect of intrathecally and intracerebroventricularly administered 26RFa was not antagonized by BIBP3226, an antagonist of neuropeptide FF receptor. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that QRFP-like immunoreactivity (QRFP-LI) was expressed mainly in the small to medium sized neurons in the L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and that partial sciatic nerve injury increased the percentage of QRFP-LI positive neurons. 7 days after the nerve injury, QRFP-LI positive neurons in the L5 DRG ipsilateral to the partial sciatic nerve injury were larger than those in the L5 DRG ipsilateral to the sham operation. These data suggest that (1) exogenously applied 26RFa modulates nociceptive transmission at the spinal and the supraspinal brain in the neuropathic pain model, (2) the mechanism 26RFa uses to produce an anti-allodynic effect may be mediated by the activation of GPR103, and (3) partial sciatic nerve ligation affects the expression of QRFP-LI in the dorsal root ganglion.     

Role of Thy-1 in in vivo and in vitro neural development and regeneration of dorsal root ganglionic neurons

We have examined the expression of Thy-1, an abundant glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein, in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and associated nerve fascicles, during postnatal development and following a nerve crush. The expression levels of Thy-1 in DRG neurons, dorsal roots, and central processes in spinal cord were rather low at postnatal day 2, and gradually increased as DRG neurons matured. During early development, the expression of Thy-1 within DRG neurons was low and equally distributed between plasma membrane and cytosol. With maturation, the staining intensities of Thy-1 in both the plasma membrane and the cytosol of DRG neurons became increased. We also studied Thy-1 expression in the regeneration of mature DRG neurons following the crush injury of sciatic nerve. Two days after the crush injury, Thy-1 expression dramatically decreased in the DRG neurons on the lesion side. Between 4 and 7 days after the injury, the expression of Thy-1 gradually increased and returned to a normal level 1 week after the sciatic nerve crush. The time course of the up-regulation of Thy-1 expression during regeneration matched that of the recovery of sensory functions, such as pain withdraw reflex, placing reflex, and the score of Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale. Taken together, our results suggest that Thy-1 expression is developmentally regulated and is closely associated with the functional maturation of DRG neurons during both postnatal development and nerve regeneration. Furthermore, perturbation of Thy-1 function with anti-Thy-1 antibodies promoted neurite outgrowth from primary cultured DRG neurons, again confirming the inhibitory role of Thy-1 on neurite outgrowth.     

Intra- and extraneuronal changes of immunofluorescence staining for TNF-alpha and TNFR1 in the dorsal root ganglia of rat peripheral neuropathic pain models

1. Several lines of evidence suggest that cytokines and their receptors are initiators of changes in the activity of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, but their cellular distribution is still very limited or controversial. Therefore, the goal of present study was to investigate immunohistochemical distribution of TNF-alpha and TNF receptor-1 (TNFR1) proteins in the rat DRG following three types of nerve injury. 2. The unilateral sciatic and spinal nerve ligation as well as the sciatic nerve transection were used to induce changes in the distribution of TNF-alpha and TNFR1 proteins. The TNF-alpha and TNFR1 immunofluorescence was assessed in the L4-L5 DRG affected by nerve injury for 1 and 2 weeks, and compared with the contralateral ones and those removed from naive or sham-operated rats. A part of the sections was incubated for simultaneous immunostaining for TNF-alpha and ED-1. The immunofluorescence brightness was measured by image analysis system (LUCIA-G v4.21) to quantify immunostaining for TNF-alpha and TNFR1 in the naive, ipsi- and contralateral DRG following nerve injury. 3. The ipsilateral L4-L5 DRG and their contralateral counterparts of the rats operated for nerve injury displayed an increased immunofluorescence (IF) for TNF-alpha and TNFR1 when compared with DRG harvested from naive or sham-operated rats. The TNFalpha IF was increased bilaterally in the satellite glial cells (SGC) and contralaterally in the neuronal nuclei following sciatic and spinal nerve ligature. The neuronal bodies and their SGC exhibited bilaterally enhanced IF for TNF-alpha after sciatic nerve transection for 1 and 2 weeks. In addition, the affected DRG were invaded by ED-1 positive macrophages which displayed simultaneously TNFalpha IF. The ED-1 positive macrophages were frequently located near the neuronal bodies to occupy a position of the satellites. 4. The sciatic and spinal nerve ligature resulted in an increased TNFR1 IF in the neuronal bodies of both ipsi- and contralateral DRG. The sciatic nerve ligature for 1 week induced a rise in TNFR1 IF in the contralateral DRG neurons and their SGC to a higher level than in the ipsilateral ones. In contrast, the sciatic nerve ligature for 2 weeks caused a similar increase of TNFR1 IF in the neurons and their SGC of both ipsi- and contralateral DRG. The spinal nerve ligature or sciatic nerve transection resulted in an increased TNFR1 IF located at the surface of the ipsilateral DRG neurons, but dispersed IF in the contralateral ones. In addition, the SGC of the contralateral in contrast to ipsilateral DRG displayed a higher TNFR1 IF. 5. Our results suggest more sources of TNF-alpha protein in the ipsilateral and contralateral DRG following unilateral nerve injury including macrophages, SGC and primary sensory neurons. In addition, the SGC and macrophages, which became to be satellites, are well positioned to regulate activity of the DRG neurons by production of TNF-alpha molecules. Moreover, the different cellular distribution of TNFR1 in the ipsi- and contralateral DRG may reflect different pathways by which TNF-alpha effect on the primary sensory neurons can be mediated following nerve injury.     

Endothelin as a putative sensory neuropeptide in the guinea-pig: different properties in comparison with calcitonin gene-related peptide

Both endothelin-(ET) and calcitonin gene-related peptide- (CGRP) like immunoreactivity (-LI) were present in a variety of organs and neuronal tissue of the guinea-pig as determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Neuronal tissues like dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contained by far the highest levels of both ET- (65 +/- 11 pmol/g) and CGRP-LI (34 +/- 5 pmol/g). The tissue levels of ET-LI remained unchanged after 6-hydroxydopamine and capsaicin-pretreatment, while CGRP-LI was markedly reduced after capsaicin. Chromatographic characterization revealed that the main portion of ET-LI in the DRG, right atrium and lung corresponded to synthetic ET-1. Immunohistochemical studies showed the presence of ET-LI in a few neurons of intact DRG and many neurons in DRG cell-cultures, partly co-existing with CGRP-LI. In the neuronal cells of DRG cultures the ratio between the ET- and CGRP-LI was 1:27 compared to 2:1 in intact DRG. 24 h after ligation of the sciatic or vagal nerves no accumulation of ET-LI was observed above the ligation, while CGRP-LI was increased 4-5-fold. Transection (10 days) of the sciatic nerve caused a 85-95% depletion of CGRP-LI in the distal skin, gastrocnemius muscle and trunk below the transection site, while in the proximal portion of the nerve CGRP-LI increased. No effects on ET-LI in these tissues were observed after sciatic nerve transfection. In release experiments on DRG cell cultures. Langendorff heart preparations or perfused guinea-pig lungs, potassium (60 mM), capsaicin or antidromic nerve stimulation evoked a clear-cut increase in the supernatant levels of CGRP-LI, suggesting release, while no effect on the ET-LI concentration was observed in the effluent. Furthermore, anoxia failed to influence the outflow of ET-LI from the heart and lung. It is concluded that ET-1-LI is present in high levels in spinal ganglia and ET-LI occurs in afferent cell-bodies, but in comparison with CGRP, ET shows remarkable inertness upon various experimental conditions including no evidence for axonal transport, loss after denervation or release. The neuronal ET-LI seems to increase under culture conditions, however. The possible function for the high content of ET-LI in the intact guinea-pig peripheral nervous system remains to be elucidated and may mainly be related to a non-neuronal pool considering the relatively low content of ET-LI compared to CGRP in cultured DRG cells.     

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。     

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.