Metformin Relieves Bortezomib-Induced Neuropathic Pain by Regulating AMPKa2-Mediated Autophagy in the Spinal Dorsal Horn

Neurochemical Research - Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is a major clinical problem with limited treatment options. Here, we show that metformin relieves bortezomib (BTZ)-evoked induction...     

右美托咪啶对神经痛大鼠脊髓背角pERK、pCREB表达的影响

目的:评价右美托咪啶对神经病理性痛大鼠脊髓背角神经元磷酸化胞外反应激酶(phosphoryltion of extracellular regulated protein kinases,p ERK)、磷酸化c AMP反应元件结合蛋白(phosphoryltion of Camp response element bound protein,p CREB)蛋白表达的影响。方法:健康成年雄性Wistar大鼠54只,6~8周龄,体重180~220 g,采用随机数字表法,将其分为3组(n=18):假手术组(S组)、慢性神经病理性痛组(C组)和右美托咪啶组(D组)。S组仅分离坐骨神经但不结扎,C组和D组采用结扎坐骨神经的方法制备大鼠坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(chronic constriction injury,CCI)的神经病理性痛模型,D组于术后即刻开始至处死前1d腹腔注射右美托咪啶50μg/kg,1次/d,S组和C组注射等容量生理盐水。于术前1 d、术后3、7、14 d时以缩足阈值(paw withdrawal threshold,PWT)测定大鼠机械痛阈和辐射热的缩足潜伏期(paw withdrawl latency,PWL)测定大鼠的热痛阈,并于术后测定痛阈后灌注处死大鼠,取L4-6脊髓组织,采用免疫组织化学法检测脊髓背角神经元p ERK、p CREB的表达水平。结果:与S组比较,C组和D组术后3、7、14 d时MWT降低,TWL缩短,脊髓背角p ERK、p CREB表达上调(P0.05);与C组比较,D组术后3、7、14 d时MWT升高,TWL延长,脊髓背角p ERK、p CREB表达下调(P0.05)。与术前1 d比较,C组和D组术后3、7、14 d时MWT降低,TWL缩短;与术后3 d时比较,C组和D组7、14 d时MWT降低,TWL缩短,脊髓背角p ERK、p CREB表达上调(P0.05)。结论:右美托咪啶可减轻大鼠慢性神经病理性痛,抑制p ERK、p CREB的表达可能是其作用机制之一。     

不同频率电针刺激对神经痛模型大鼠脊髓背角P物质的影响

目的:观察P物质(Substance P,SP)在慢性坐骨神经压迫损伤(chronic constriction injury,CCI)模型脊髓中表达的变化,探讨电针镇痛的机制是否与脊髓背角中SP表达的变化有关。方法:选择32只雄性、体重180-200 g的SD大鼠,并将其随机均分为4组(n=8)。空白组(Con组)为正常痛阈值大鼠;假电针组(CCI+A组)在损伤的坐骨神经旁置入电针,但无电流刺激;2 Hz组和100Hz组分别给予相应频率电流刺激30 min。在实验开始前和术后1、4、7、14、20、22天记录大鼠的热缩足反射潜伏期(Paw Withdrawal Latency,PWL)和机械刺激缩足反射阈值(Paw Withdrawal Threshold,PWT)。免疫组化方法检测脊髓背角SP的表达。结果:术后20天,电针治疗后,100 Hz组和2 Hz组PWT分别为(7.33±1.42)g和(7.80±1.42)g,均显著高于假电针组(2.60±1.46)g,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。100 Hz组在术后20天后和2 Hz组在术后14天后PWL值均显著高于假电针组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。免疫组化显示:2 Hz组和100 Hz组大鼠脊髓背角中P物质阳性细胞显著低于假电针组(P0.05)。结论:坐骨神经旁电针刺激能够显著减轻CCI模型大鼠热痛觉及机械痛觉过敏,其机制可能与抑制脊髓背角SP的表达有关。     

Spinal Astrocytic Activation Contributes to Mechanical Allodynia in a Rat Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain Model

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CNP) is the major dose-limiting factor in cancer chemotherapy. However, the neural mechanisms underlying CNP remain enigmatic. Accumulating evidence implicates the involvement of spinal glia in some neuropathic pain models. In this study, using a vincristine-evoked CNP rat model with obvious mechanical allodynia, we found that spinal astrocyte rather than microglia was dramatically activated. The mechanical allodynia was dose-dependently attenuated by intrathecal administratration of L-α-aminoadipate (astrocytic specific inhibitor); whereas minocycline (microglial specific inhibitor) had no such effect, indicating that spinal astrocytic activation contributes to allodynia in CNP rat. Furthermore, oxidative stress mediated the development of spinal astrocytic activation, and activated astrocytes dramatically increased interleukin-1β expression which induced N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) phosphorylation in spinal neurons to strengthen pain transmission. Taken together, our findings suggest that spinal activated astrocytes may be a crucial component of the pathophysiology of CNP and “Astrocyte-Cytokine-NMDAR-neuron” pathway may be one detailed neural mechanisms underlying CNP. Thus, inhibiting spinal astrocytic activation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treating CNP.     

Neuropathic Pain Modifies Antioxidant Activity in Rat Spinal Cord

Oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological mechanism of many neurological diseases. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been cited as molecules involved in the nociceptive process. In this study, rats were submitted to sciatic nerve transection (SNT) for induction of neuropathic pain, and enzyme activities of SOD and catalase as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured in the lumbosacral spinal cord. The results show that LPO was not changed after SNT. SOD activity was reduced 7 days after SNT, while the change in catalase activity occurred on the third and seventh days in both sham and SNT animals. Hyperalgesia in SNT group was detected at the same points in time. These results suggest that SNT was not a strong enough stimulus to deplete all antioxidant content in the spinal cord, since increase in LPO was not detected. However, the role of oxidative stress in nociception can not be excluded.     

Metformin Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating Autophagy via the mTOR Signaling Pathway

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious central trauma, leading to severe dysfunction of motor and sensory systems. Secondary injuries, such as apoptosis and cell autophagy, significantly impact the motor function recovery process. Metformin is a widely used oral anti-diabetic agent for type 2 diabetes in the world. It has been demonstrated to promote autophagy and inhibit apoptosis in the nervous system. However, its role in recovery following SCI is still unknown. In this study, we determined that motor function, assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor assessment scale, was significantly higher in rats treated with metformin following injury. Nissl staining revealed that metformin also increased the number of surviving neurons in the spinal cord lesion. Western blot and immunofluorescent analysis revealed that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and P70S6 kinase (P70S6K) decreased, while the expression of autophagy markers increased and apoptosis markers declined in animals treated with metformin following SCI. Taken together, these findings suggest that metformin functions as a neuroprotective agent following SCI by promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis by regulating the mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathway.     

Fascin-1 Contributes to Neuropathic Pain by Promoting Inflammation in Rat Spinal Cord

Neuropathic pain is a complicated clinical syndrome caused by heterogeneous etiology. Despite the fact that the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, it is well accepted that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development of neuropathic pain. Fascin-1, an actin-bundling protein, has been proved to be involved in the processing of diverse biological events including cellular development, immunity, and tumor invasion etc. Recent studies have shown that Fascin-1 participates in antigen presentation and the regulation of pro-inflammatory agents. However, whether Fascin-1 is involved in neuropathic pain has not been reported. In the present study we examined the potential role of Fascin-1 by using a rodent model of chronic constriction injury (CCI). Our results showed that Fascin-1 increased rapidly in dorsal root ganglions (DRG) and spinal cord (SC) after CCI. The increased Fascin-1 widely expressed in DRG, however, it localized predominantly in microglia, seldom in neuron, and hardly in astrocyte in the SC. Intrathecal injection of Fascin-1 siRNA not only suppressed the activation of microglia and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, but also attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by CCI.     

Bilateral Changes of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Protein and mRNA in the Dorsal Root Ganglia of a Rat Neuropathic Pain Model

Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) plays a critical role in nociception. In contrast to cannabinoid receptor type 1 ligands, CB2R agonists do not produce undesirable central nervous system effects and thus promise to treat neuropathic pain that is often resistant to medical therapy. In the study presented here, we evaluated the bilateral distribution of the CB2R protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) after unilateral peripheral nerve injury using immunohistochemistry, western blot, and in situ hybridization analysis. Unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve induced neuropathic pain behavior and bilateral elevation of both CB2R protein and mRNA in lumbar L4–L5 as well as cervical C7–C8 DRG when compared with naive animals. CB2R protein and mRNA were increased not only in DRG neurons but also in satellite glial cells. The fact that changes appear bilaterally and (albeit at a lower level) even in the remote cervical DRG can be related to propagation of neuroinflammation alongside the neuraxis and to the neuroprotective effects of CB2R.     

Attenuation of Neuropathic Pain by Saikosaponin a in a Rat Model of Chronic Constriction Injury

Despite immense advances in the treatment strategies, the effective treatment of patients suffering from neuropathic pain remains challenging. Saikosaponin a possesses anti-inflammatory activity. However, the role of saikosaponin a in neuropathic pain is still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of saikosaponin a on neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in rats. After CCI, rats were administered saikosaponin a (6.25, 12.50 and 25.00 mg/kg intraperitoneal, once daily) for 14 days. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were assessed before surgery and on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after CCI. Our results showed that CCI significantly decreased mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency on days 1, 3, 7 and 14, as compared with sham groups, however, saikosaponin a reversed this effects. In addition, saikosaponin a inhibited CCI-induced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2 in spinal cord. Western blot analysis demonstrated that saikosaponin a reduced the elevated expression of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-κB in the spinal cord induced by CCI. These results suggest that saikosaponin a could effectively attenuate neuropathic pain in CCI rats by inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in spinal cord.     

Differential Roles of Phosphorylated AMPA Receptor GluR1 Subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 Sites in Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn in a Rat Model of Post-Operative Pain

Previous studies have demonstrated that the enhanced levels of phosphorylated α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methy-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 (pGluR1-Ser-831) and Serine-845 (pGluR1-Ser-845) in the spinal cord dorsal horn are involved in central sensitization of inflammatory pain. However, whether the phosphorylatory regulation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits is implicated in the development and maintenance of post-operative pain remains unclear. The current study aims to examine the functional regulation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit through its phosphorylation mechanism during the period of post-operative painful events in rats. Our data indicated that the expression of pGluR1-Ser-831 in ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn increased significantly at 3 h after incision, then decreased gradually, and returned to the normal level 3 day post-incision. Meanwhile, the expression of pGluR1-Ser-845 and GluR1 in ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn remained unchanged. The cumulative pain scores increased at 3 h after incision, gradually decreased afterwards and returned to the baseline values at 4 day after incision and the trend was almost parallel to the expression changes of pGluR1-Ser-831 in spinal dorsal horn. Intrathecal injection of a calcium-dependent protein kinase (PKC) inhibitor, Gö6983 (10 μM), significantly reversed the incision-mediated over-expression of pGluR1-Ser-831 in spinal dorsal horn at 3 h after incision and decreased the cumulative pain scores as well. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 sites might be differentially regulated following surgical procedures and support a neurobiological mechanism of post-operative pain involved in phosphorylation of AMPA subunits GluR1-Ser-831, but not pGluR1-Ser-845. Our study suggests that the therapeutic targeting the phosphorylation regulation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit at Serine-831 site would be potentially significant for treating postoperative pain.

     

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。     

PI3K/Akt Pathway is Required for Spinal Central Sensitization in Neuropathic Pain

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) has been identified in the expression of central sensitization after noxious inflammatory stimuli. However, its contribution in neuropathic pain remains to be determined. Here we address the role of PI3K signaling in central sensitization in a model of neuropathic pain, and propose a novel potential drug target for neuropathic pain. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model was used in the study as the model for neuropathic pain. Western blotting, whole-cell patch clamp, and von Frey assay were performed to study biochemical, electrical, and behavioral changes in CCI rats, respectively. A steroid metabolite of the fungi (wortmannin) was used to block PI3K signaling and its effects on CCI rats were tested. PI3K/Akt signaling increased in the spinal cord L4–L6 sections in the CCI rats. CCI also facilitated miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential of dorsal horn substantia gelatinosa neurons, increased phosphorylation of glutamate receptor subunit GluA1 and synapsin at the synapse, and induced mechanic allodynia. Wortmannin reversed biochemical, electrical, and behavioral changes in CCI rats. This study is the first to show PI3K/Akt signaling is required for spinal central sensitization in the CCI neuropathic pain model.     

Connexin 43 Mediates CXCL12 Production from Spinal Dorsal Horn to Maintain Bone Cancer Pain in Rats

Neurochemical Research - Tumor metastasis to bone can subsequently lead to bone cancer pain (BCP). Currently, BCP is difficult to conquer due to a poor understanding of the potential mechanisms....     

Delta-Opioid Receptor Analgesia Is Independent of Microglial Activation in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain

The analgesic effect of delta-opioid receptor (DOR) ligands in neuropathic pain is not diminished in contrast to other opioid receptor ligands, which lose their effectiveness as analgesics. In this study, we examine whether this effect is related to nerve injury-induced microglial activation. We therefore investigated the influence of minocycline-induced inhibition of microglial activation on the analgesic effects of opioid receptor agonists: morphine, DAMGO, U50,488H, DPDPE, Deltorphin II and SNC80 after chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve in rats. Pre-emptive and repeated administration of minocycline (30 mg/kg, i.p.) over 7 days significantly reduced allodynia and hyperalgesia as measured on day 7 after CCI. The antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of intrathecally (i.t.) administered morphine (10–20 µg), DAMGO (1–2 µg) and U50,488H (25–50 µg) were significantly potentiated in rats after minocycline, but no such changes were observed after DPDPE (10–20 µg), deltorphin II (1.5–15 µg) and SNC80 (10–20 µg) administration. Additionally, nerve injury-induced down-regulation of all types of opioid receptors in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia was not influenced by minocycline, which indicates that the effects of opioid ligands are dependent on other changes, presumably neuroimmune interactions. Our study of rat primary microglial cell culture using qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of mu-opioid receptors (MOR) and kappa-opioid receptors (KOR), further we provide the first evidence for the lack of DOR on microglial cells. In summary, DOR analgesia is different from analgesia induced by MOR and KOR receptors because it does not dependent on injury-induced microglial activation. DOR agonists appear to be the best candidates for new drugs to treat neuropathic pain.     

Comparative Efficacy of GABAA and GABAB Receptor Agonists in Pain Alleviation in a Spinal Cord Injury Model of Neuropathic Pain

Neurophysiology - We investigated the effectiveness of intrathecal introduction of GABAA and GABAB receptor agonists in reversing pain modalities in a central model of neuropathic pain. In adult...     

Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Expressing the Human Preproenkephalin Gene Can Relieve Pain in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain

Neurochemical Research - Transgenic therapy for central neuralgia faces the problems of low expression and weak targeting and affects superficial but not deep neurons. In this study, we generated a...     

Differential Changes in Neuronal Excitability in the Spinal Dorsal Horn After Spinal Nerve Ligation in Rats

Previous studies demonstrated that peripheral nerve injury induced excessive neuronal response and glial activation in the spinal cord dorsal horn, and such change has been proposed to reflect the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain states. The aim of this study was to examine neuronal excitability and glial activation in the spinal dorsal horn after peripheral nerve injury. We examined noxious heat stimulation-induced c-Fos protein-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) neuron profiles in fourth-to-sixth lumbar (L4–L6) level spinal dorsal horn neurons after fifth lumbar spinal nerve ligation (L5 SNL). Immunofluorescence labeling of OX-42 and GFAP was also performed in histological sections of the spinal cord. A significant increase in the number of Fos-LI neuron profiles in the spinal dorsal horn at the L4 level was found at 3 days after SNL, but returned to a level similar to that in sham-operated controls by 14 days after injury. As expected, a decrease in the number of Fos-LI neuron profiles in the spinal dorsal horn at the L5 level was found at 3 days after SNL. However, these profiles had reappeared in large numbers by 14 and 21 days after injury. Immunofluorescence labeling of OX-42 and GFAP indicated sequential activation of microglia and astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn. We conclude that nerve injury causes differential changes in neuronal excitability in the spinal dorsal horn, which may coincide with glial activation. These changes may play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury.