脊髓细胞外调节激酶1/2在大鼠后足切割痛中的表达和作用

目的：探讨大鼠后足切割后脊髓ERK的表达情况。方法：以大鼠右后足切割作为急性疼痛模型;用免疫组织化学法测试脊髓磷酸化ERK（pERK）表达情况。ERK抑制剂U0126（1μg）在切割前20min或切割后20min鞘内注射。用von Frey纤维测试大鼠机械性痛敏。结果：大鼠后足切割后1min,在切割侧L4-L5脊髓浅层背侧角（板层Ⅰ和板层Ⅱ）ERK被迅速地激活,并在5min达到峰值,随后恢复到基础值。切割前鞘内给予U0126能显著减轻机械性痛敏,然而,切割后鞘内给予U0126对机械性痛敏的作用并不明显。结论：脊髓ERK在大鼠后足切割痛中产生机械性痛敏发挥了重要的作用。     

天麻素通过下调Nav1.6通道表达缓解糖尿病神经病理性疼痛的研究

目的:探究天麻素对Ⅱ型糖尿病神经病理性痛的镇痛作用以及天麻素对背根神经节Nav1.6通道的表达调控作用。方法:将60只雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、糖尿病组和天麻素处理组(10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)。通过高脂饮食喂养4周,低剂量腹腔注射STZ(30 mg·kg^-1)的方法构建Ⅱ型糖尿病神经病理性痛大鼠模型,利用痛行为学检测观察各组大鼠的机械刺激足缩反应阈值变化,采用免疫荧光组织化学及Western blot方法观察各组大鼠背根神经节上Nav1.6通道的表达变化。结果:与空白对照组相比,糖尿病模型大鼠出现显著的机械刺激疼痛阈值下降(P<0.05),且模型组大鼠背根神经节神经元上的Nav1.6通道表达上调(P<0.05)。与糖尿病组相比,连续腹腔注射天麻素3天、7天、14天后,模型动物的疼痛明显缓解(P<0.05),另外天麻素可以翻转背根神经节上Nav1.6通道的高表达(P<0.05)。结论:天麻素可能通过降低Nav1.6通道的表达来缓解Ⅱ型糖尿病神经病理性疼痛,从而为天麻素缓解糖尿病神经病理性疼痛提供新的理论依据。     

人参皂甙Rd通过调节SNI大鼠背根神经节钠、钾电流抑制痛敏

目的:观察人参皂甙Rd(ginsenoside Rd)对大鼠坐骨神经分支选择性损伤(spared sciatic nerve injury,SNI)引起的痛敏的影响及其作用机制。方法:坐骨神经分支选择性损伤术后7天,观察腹腔注射不同浓度人参皂甙Rd后大鼠后足的机械性缩足反应阈值(paw withdrawl mechanical threshold,PWMT)的变化;在术后7天,急性分离并取出大鼠腰4和腰5段背根节,对整节DRG上的中小型神经元运用全细胞膜片钳技术进行记录。结果:坐骨神经分支选择性损伤术后7天,大鼠出现明显的机械性痛敏,腹腔注射5 mg/ml和10 mg/ml的人参皂甙Rd能剂量依赖性的翻转大鼠机械性痛敏;坐骨神经分支选择性损伤能明显地增大SNI大鼠DRG中小型神经元上的钠电流以及减小电压依赖性钾电流,而100μM人参皂甙Rd能有效翻转该钠、钾电流的变化。结论:人参皂甙Rd能有效地改善坐骨神经分支选择性损伤引起的机械性痛敏,其机制可能与人参皂甙Rd明显地调节SNI大鼠DRG中小型神经元上的电压依赖性钠、钾电流有关。     

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。     

人参皂甙Rd通过调节SNI大鼠背根神经节钠、钾电流抑制痛敏

目的：观察人参皂甙Rd（ginsenoside Rd）对大鼠坐骨神经分支选择性损伤（spared sciatic nerve injury,SNI）引起的痛敏的影响及其作用机制。方法：坐骨神经分支选择性损伤术后7天,观察腹腔注射不同浓度人参皂甙Rd后大鼠后足的机械性缩足反应阈值（paw withdrawl mechanical threshold,PWMT）的变化;在术后7天,急性分离并取出大鼠腰4和腰5段背根节,对整节DRG上的中小型神经元运用全细胞膜片钳技术进行记录。结果：坐骨神经分支选择性损伤术后7天,大鼠出现明显的机械性痛敏,腹腔注射5 mg/ml和10 mg/ml的人参皂甙Rd能剂量依赖性的翻转大鼠机械性痛敏;坐骨神经分支选择性损伤能明显地增大SNI大鼠DRG中小型神经元上的钠电流以及减小电压依赖性钾电流,而100μM人参皂甙Rd能有效翻转该钠、钾电流的变化。结论：人参皂甙Rd能有效地改善坐骨神经分支选择性损伤引起的机械性痛敏,其机制可能与人参皂甙Rd明显地调节SNI大鼠DRG中小型神经元上的电压依赖性钠、钾电流有关。     

CGRP受体拮抗剂CGRP8-37对甲醛炎性痛大鼠自发痛反应及脊髓后角NOS表达和NO含量的影响

目的:探讨CGRP受体拮抗剂CGRP8-37对甲醛炎性痛大鼠自发痛反应及脊髓后角NOS表达和NO含量的影响.方法:大鼠足底注射甲醛制造炎性痛模型;计数缩足反射次数反映自发痛程度;NADPH-d组织化学法观察脊髓后角NOS表达;硝酸还原酶法测定NO-3/NO-2含量以反映NO含量.结果:足底注射甲醛后,动物出现自发痛反应行为.足底注射甲醛后24 h,双侧脊髓后角NOS表达及NO含量明显增加.预先鞘内注射CGRP8-37可使甲醛诱导的自发性缩足反射次数明显减少,并可明显抑制甲醛炎性痛诱导的脊髓后角NOS表达及NO含量的增加.结论:甲醛炎性痛时,脊髓后角CGRP受体激活可促进NOS活性表达及NO的产生.     

糖尿病大鼠脊髓内高迁移率族蛋白-1参与调节机械性痛敏的机制

目的:观察高迁移率族蛋白-1(high mobility group box-1,HMGB1)在糖尿病大鼠脊髓内的表达变化,探索其参与糖尿病性机械性痛觉过敏的具体机制,进一步阐明糖尿病性痛的机制,为糖尿病疼痛的治疗提供新的思路。方法:(1)36只SD大鼠随机分成6组(n=6),分别为正常大鼠组、糖尿病大鼠对照组、糖尿病7 d组、14 d、21 d和28 d组。通过Real-time PCR法检测各组大鼠脊髓内HMGB1 m RNA的表达情况。(2)24只SD大鼠分成4组(n=6)制作糖尿病大鼠模型,在造模后第28 d鞘内给予生理盐水、HMGB1的中和抗体10、30和100μg,检测糖尿病大鼠模型在各时间点的机械性缩足阈值。(3)30只SD大鼠随机分成5组(n=6),其中4组给予链尿佐菌素制作糖尿病大鼠模型。模型制作28 d后鞘内给予生理盐水、HMGB1的中和抗体10、30和100μg。另一组大鼠腹腔给予生理盐水,作为糖尿病大鼠的对照组。检测各组大鼠脊髓的TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6 m RNA的表达。结果:(1)糖尿病大鼠模型制作21 d和28 d,脊髓内HMGB1 m RNA的表达显著上调(P0.05)。(2)糖尿病大鼠鞘内给予HMGB1中和抗体30和100μg后,可以在长达24 h的时间内扭转模型大鼠的机械性痛敏(P0.05)。(3)糖尿病大鼠造模28 d后,鞘内给予HMGB1的中和抗体30和100μg可以明显逆转糖尿病大鼠脊髓内的TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6 m RNA的表达(P0.05)。结论:糖尿病大鼠脊髓内HMGB1显著上调,鞘内给予HMGB1的中和抗体可以通过抑制脊髓内TNF-α等细胞因子的表达而扭转糖尿病大鼠的机械性痛敏。以上结果提示,脊髓HMGB1可能参与了糖尿病机械性痛敏状态的维持过程。我们的研究对脊髓HMGB1参与糖尿病大鼠的疼痛的机制进行初步的探讨,为糖尿病性痛的治疗提供新的思路。     

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。     

实验性高血糖对大鼠病理性痛反应的影响

目的:研究实验性高血糖大鼠血糖变化对病理性痛反应的影响.方法:用链脲佐菌素制造高血糖大鼠模型,并以生理盐水处理大鼠做为对照.在大鼠后足注入蜜蜂毒,观察其自发痛、持续性热刺激缩足反应潜伏期和机械刺激缩足反应阈值的变化.结果:在高血糖状态下,左足底注射蜜蜂毒引起大鼠持续性自发缩足反射的次数增加;对于病理性痛反应,与基础水平比较,热刺激和机械刺激缩足反应阙值均降低(P＜0.05),但是实验组大鼠和生理盐水组大鼠热刺激的反应性比较无差异(P＞0.05),实验组大鼠机械刺激缩足反应阈值较生理盐水组大鼠降低(P＜0.05).结论:高血糖大鼠皮下注射蜜蜂毒诱导外周组织局部炎症后,可引起大鼠的持续性自发缩足反射增强和热及机械痛敏.     

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。     

肝癌疼痛与血浆VEGF、BDNF、FGF-2水平的相关性研究

目的:研究肝癌疼痛与血浆血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、纤维细胞生长因子-2(FGF-2)水平的相关性。方法:选择我院2018年10月～2019年7月收治的30例肝癌疼痛患者作为研究对象,依据疼痛程度分为4例轻度疼痛组、19例中度疼痛组、7例重度疼痛组,同期纳入30例肝癌无痛患者和30例健康对照组,比较各组血浆VEGF、BDNF和FGF-2水平,并分析肝癌疼痛患者血浆VEGF、BDNF和FGF-2水平和数字评分法(NRS)评分的相关性。结果:肝癌疼痛组血浆VEGF、BDNF、FGF-2水平显著高于肝癌无痛组及对照组(P0.05)。重度疼痛组血浆VEGF、BDNF、FGF-2水平显著高于中度疼痛组及轻度疼痛组(P0.05)。治疗后,肝癌疼痛患者血浆VEGF、BDNF、FGF-2水平显著低于治疗前(P0.05)。肝癌疼痛患者血浆VEGF、BDNF、FGF-2水平和NRS评分呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.619、0.571、0.563,P值均0.001)。结论:肝癌疼痛患者血浆VEGF、BDNF和FGF-2水平较肝癌无痛者明显上升,且和疼痛程度显著相关。     

Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation Aggravates and Prolongs Incision-Induced Pain Hypersensitivity via BDNF Signaling-Mediated Descending Facilitation in Rats

The mechanisms underlying the pronociceptive effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) are not fully established. The modulation of BDNF signaling-mediated descending facilitation from the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) of brain stem has been demonstrated in persistent pain models of inflammatory pain, but not in incisional pain model. Recent study has shown that PSD increases the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brainstem structure. Therefore, in the current study, we asked whether the BDNF signaling-mediated descending facilitation was involved in the PSD-induced pronociceptive effect on incisional pain and delay the recovery period of postoperative pain in rats. Our results found that a preoperative 24 h PSD significantly aggravated the pain hypersensitivity after incision and prolonged the duration of postoperative pain. The lesions of ipsilateral dorsolateral funiculus partly reversed the PSD-induced pronociceptive effect on incisional pain. Interestingly, the 24 h PSD, but not incision significantly enhanced the levels of BDNF protein expression in the RVM areas of rats. Furthermore, at 1 day or 4 days after incision, intra-RVM microinjection of a BDNF antibody partly reversed the PSD-induced pronociceptive effects in incisional rats, while it did not change the cumulative pain scores and paw withdrawal thresholds in rats receiving only plantar incision. These findings suggest that the preoperative PSD may aggravate and prolong the incision-induced pain hypersensitivity via BDNF signaling-mediated descending facilitation.     

Increased Plasma Levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity of the central and peripheral nervous system. BDNF appears to modulate nociceptive sensory inputs and pain hypersensitivity and has been studied in pathological situations, including chronic pain conditions and major depression. Increased serum BDNF levels have been recently reported in fibromyalgia (FM). In the present study, we assessed plasma BDNF levels in patients with FM and controls. Plasma BDNF was measured from 30 female patients with FM and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched volunteers using an enzyme immunoassay. FM patients showed higher levels of BDNF (FM = 167.1 ± 171.2 pg/mL) when compared with the control group (control = 113.8 ± 149.6 pg/mL) (P = 0.049; Mann–Whitney test). Six out of 30 controls presented superior values to the medium (15/15) of the patients with fibromyalgia (129 pg/mL) (P = 0.029, Fisher exact test). There was no correlation between plasma BDNF levels and age, disease duration, pain score, number of pain points and HAM-D score. Our results confirm previous findings of increased plasma BDNF levels in patients with FM, suggesting that BDNF may be involved in the pathophysiology of Fibromyalgia, despite high levels of depression.     

BDNF Activates mTOR to Upregulate NR2B Expression in the Rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex Required for Inflammatory Pain-Related Aversion in Rats

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been demonstrated to mediate pain-related aversion induced by formalin in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). However, it remains unclear the signaling pathways and regulatory proteins involved. In the rACC, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an activity-dependent neuromodulator, has been shown to play a role in the development and persistence of chronic pain. In this study, we used a rat formalin-induced inflammatory pain model to demonstrate BDNF up-regulation in the rACC. Stimulation with exogenous BDNF up-regulated mTOR, whilst cyclotraxin B (CTX-B), a tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) antagonist, down-regulated mTOR. Our results suggest BDNF could activate an mTOR signaling pathway. Subsequently, we used formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) training in rat models to investigate if mTOR activation was required for pain-related aversion. We demonstrated that BDNF/mTOR signaling could activate the NMDA receptor subunit episilon-2 (NR2B), which is required for F-CPA. Our results reveal that BDNF activates mTOR to up-regulate NR2B expression, which is required for inflammatory pain-related aversion in the rACC of rats.     

Intracerebroventricular 4-methylcatechol (4-MC) ameliorates chronic pain associated with depression-like behavior via induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Neuropathic pain concurrent with mood disorder from peripheral nerve injury is a serious clinical problem that significantly affects quality of life. Recent studies have suggested that a lack of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the limbic system may cause this pain-emotion. BDNF is induced in cultured neurons by 4-methylcatechol (4-MC), but the role of 4-MC-induced BDNF in pain-emotion is poorly understood. Thus, we assessed the possible involvement of BDNF in brain in depression-like behavior during chronic pain following peripheral nerve injury. In addition, we examined whether intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) 4-MC prevents chronic pain in rats and produces an antidepressant effect. Sprague-Dawley rats implanted intracerebroventricularly with a PE-10 tube were subjected to chronic constriction injury (CCI). Pain was assessed by a reduction in paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to heat stimuli after CCI. We also used a forced swimming testing (FST; time of immobility, in seconds) from day 14 to day 21 after CCI. Modulation of pain and emotional behavior was performed by injection of PD0325901 (a MEK1/2 inhibitor). 4-MC (100 nM) was continuously administered i.c.v. for 3 days during the period from day 14 to day 21 after CCI. To block analgesic and antidepressant effects, anti-BDNF antibody or K252a (a TrkB receptor inhibitor) was injected in combination with 4-MC. Naloxone was also coadministered to confirm the analgesic effect of 4-MC. During the chronic stage after CCI, the rats showed a sustained decrease in PWL (thermal hyperalgesia) associated with extension of the time of immobility (depression-like behavior). PD0325901 significantly reduced the decrease in PWL and the increased time of immobility after CCI. The decreased PWL and increased time of immobility were also reduced by 4-MC and by treatment with an ERK1/2 inhibitor. These effects of 4-MC i.c.v. were reversed by anti-BDNF and K252a. The analgesic effect of 4-MC i.c.v. was also antagonized by naloxone. Based on these results, we suggest that a lack of BDNF and activation of ERK1/2 in the pain-emotion network in the CNS may be involved in depression-like behavior during chronic pain. 4-MC i.c.v. ameliorates chronic pain and depression-like behavior by producing of BDNF and normalization of ERK1/2 activation. Therefore, enhancement of BDNF may be a new treatment strategy for chronic pain associated with depression.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor in the human and the sand rat intervertebral disc

Introduction

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was first identified in the intervertebral disc (IVD) when its molecular upregulation was observed in sections of nucleus pulposus cultured under conditions of increased osmolarity. BDNF is now known to be involved in a number of biologic functions, including regulation of differentiation/survival of sensory neurons, regulation of nociceptive function and central pain modulation, and modulation of inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. In addition, more recent investigations show that BDNF can induce the recruitment of endothelial cells and the formation of vascular structures. The objectives of the present study were to use immunocytochemistry to determine the distribution of BDNF and its receptor (BDNF-tropomyosine receptor kinase B) in the human IVD, and to test for gene expression of BDNF and its receptor in cultured human annulus fibrosus cells.

Methods

We studied immunohistochemical localization of BDNF and its receptor in the human annulus, quantified the percentage of outer annulus and inner annulus cells and nucleus cells positive for BDNF immunolocalization, and studied the gene expression of BDNF and its receptor using microarray analysis.

Results

The percentage (mean ± standard error of the mean) of cells positive for BDNF localization was significantly greater in the outer annulus (32.3 ± 2.7%, n = 22) compared with either the inner annulus (8.1 ± 1.5%, n = 6) or the nucleus (10.4 ± 2.8%, n = 3) (P < 0.0001). BDNF-receptor immunolocalization showed a pattern similar to that of BDNF, but was not quantitatively assessed. BDNF gene expression levels from cultured annulus cells showed a significant positive correlation with increasing levels of IVD degeneration (P = 0.011).

Conclusion

These findings provide data on the presence of BDNF and its receptor in the human IVD at the translational level, and on the expression of BDNF and its receptor by cultured human annulus cells. Our findings point to the need for further studies to define the role of BDNF in the human IVD and to investigate regulatory events within the disc that control the expression of BDNF and its receptor.     

BDNF produced by cerebral microglia promotes cortical plasticity and pain hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerve injury–induced mechanical allodynia is often accompanied by abnormalities in the higher cortical regions, yet the mechanisms underlying such maladaptive cortical plasticity remain unclear. Here, we show that in male mice, structural and functional changes in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) caused by peripheral nerve injury require neuron-microglial signaling within the local circuit. Following peripheral nerve injury, microglia in the S1 maintain ramified morphology and normal density but up-regulate the mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Using in vivo two-photon imaging and Cx3cr1^CreER;Bdnf^flox mice, we show that conditional knockout of BDNF from microglia prevents nerve injury–induced synaptic remodeling and pyramidal neuron hyperactivity in the S1, as well as pain hypersensitivity in mice. Importantly, S1-targeted removal of microglial BDNF largely recapitulates the beneficial effects of systemic BDNF depletion on cortical plasticity and allodynia. Together, these findings reveal a pivotal role of cerebral microglial BDNF in somatosensory cortical plasticity and pain hypersensitivity.

This study reveals that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from cerebral microglia contributes to nerve injury-induced synaptic remodeling and neuronal hyperactivity, and ultimately contributes to pain sensitivity in mice; removal of microglial BDNF has beneficial effects on cortical plasticity and pain.     

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Regulates TRPC3/6 Channels and Protects Against Myocardial Infarction in Rodents

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with coronary artery diseases. However, its role and mechanism in myocardial infarction (MI) is not fully understood.Methods: Wistar rat and Kunming mouse model of MI were induced by the ligation of left coronary artery. Blood samples were collected from MI rats and patients. Plasma BDNF level, protein expression of BDNF, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) and its downstream transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC)3/6 channels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. Infarct size, cardiac function and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were measured after intra-myocardium injection with recombinant human BDNF. Protective role of BDNF against cardiomyocyte apoptosis was confirmed by BDNF scavenger TrkB-Fc. The regulation of TRPC3/6 channels by BDNF was validated by pretreating with TRPC blocker (2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate, 2-APB) and TRPC3/6 siRNAs.Results: Circulating BDNF was significantly enhanced in MI rats and patients. Protein expression of BDNF, TrkB and TRPC3/6 channels were upregulated in MI. 3 days post-MI, BDNF treatment markedly reduced the infarct size and serum lactate dehydrogenase activity. Meanwhile, echocardiography indicated that BDNF significantly improved cardiac function of MI mice. Furthermore, BDNF markedly inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 expression and downregulating caspase-3 expression and activity in ischemic myocardium. In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, cell viability was dramatically increased by BDNF in hypoxia, which was restored by TrkB-Fc. Furthermore, protective role of BDNF against hypoxia-induced apoptosis was reversed by 2-APB and TRPC3/6 siRNAs.Conclusion: BDNF/TrkB alleviated cardiac ischemic injury and inhibited cardiomyocytes apoptosis by regulating TRPC3/6 channels, which provides a novel potential therapeutic candidate for MI.     

Antinociceptive and neurochemical effects of a single dose of IB-MECA in chronic pain rat models

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a single administration of IB-MECA, an A3 adenosine receptor agonist, upon the nociceptive response and central biomarkers of rats submitted to chronic pain models. A total of 136 adult male Wistar rats were divided into two protocols: (1) chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) using complete Freund’s adjuvant and (2) neuropathic pain (NP) by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. Thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia was measured using von Frey (VF), Randal-Selitto (RS), and hot plate (HP) tests. Rats were treated with a single dose of IB-MECA (0.5 μmol/kg i.p.), a vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide—DMSO), or positive control (morphine, 5 mg/kg i.p.). Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were measured in the brainstem and spinal cord using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The establishment of the chronic pain (CIP or NP) model was observed 14 days after induction by a decreased nociceptive threshold in all three tests (GEE, P < 0.05). The antinociceptive effect of a single dose of IB-MECA was observed in both chronic pain models, but this was more effective in NP model. There was an increase in IL-1β levels promoted by CIP. NP model promoted increase in the brainstem BDNF levels, which was reversed by IB-MECA