scholarly journals Gut Microbiota Depletion by Antibiotics Ameliorates Somatic Neuropathic Pain Induced by Nerve Injury, Chemotherapy and Diabetes in Mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingchuan Ma ◽  
Ru-Fan Mo ◽  
Hua-Bao Liao ◽  
Yun-Xiao Zhang ◽  
Cai-Xia Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Fecal Bacteria ◽  
High Blood Glucose ◽  
Diabetes In Mice

Abstract Background: Gut microbiota has been found involved in neuronal functions and neurological disorders. Whether and how gut microbiota impacts chronic somatic pain disorders remain elusive.Methods: Neuropathic pain was produced by different forms of injury or diseases, the chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves, oxaliplatin (OXA) chemotherapy, and streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice. Continuous feeding of antibiotics (ABX) cocktail was used to cause major depletion of the gut microbiota. Fecal microbiota, biochemical changes in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and the behaviorally expressed painful syndromes were assessed.Results: Under condition of gut microbiota depletion, CCI, OXA, or STZ treatment-induced thermal hyperalgesia or mechanical allodynia were prevented or completely suppressed. Gut microbiota depletion also prevented CCI or STZ treatment-induced glial cell activation in the spinal cord and inhibited cytokine production in DRG in OXA model. Interestingly, STZ treatment failed to induce the diabetic high blood glucose and painful hypersensitivity in animals with the gut microbiota depletion. ABX feeding starting simultaneously with CCI, OXA, or STZ treatment resulted in instant analgesia in all the animals. ABX feeding starting after establishment of the neuropathic pain in CCI- and STZ-, but not OXA-treated animals produced significant alleviation of the thermal hyeralgesia or mechanical allodynia. Transplantation of fecal bacteria from SPF mice to ABX treated mice partially restored the gut microbiota and fully rescued the behaviorally expressed neuropathic pain, of which, Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Desulfovibrionaceae phylus may play a key role. Conclusion: This study demonstrates distinct roles of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of chronic painful conditions with nerve injury, chemotherapy and diabetic neuropathy and supports the clinical significance of fecal bacteria transplantation.

Comprehensive analysis of neurobehavior associated with histomorphological alterations in a chronic constrictive nerve injury model through use of the CatWalk XT system

2014 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Yi Chiang ◽  
Meei-Ling Sheu ◽  
Fu-Chou Cheng ◽  
Chun-Jung Chen ◽  
Hong-Lin Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
S100 Protein ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Nerve Damage ◽  
Dorsal Spinal Cord ◽  
Sensory Evoked ◽  
Dorsal Spinal

Object Neuropathic pain is debilitating, and when chronic, it significantly affects the patient physically, psychologically, and socially. The neurobehavior of animals used as a model for chronic constriction injury seems analogous to the neurobehavior of humans with neuropathic pain. However, no data depicting the severity of histomorphological alterations of the nervous system associated with graded changes in neurobehavior are available. To determine the severity of histomorphological alteration related to neurobehavior, the authors created a model of chronic constrictive injury of varying intensity in rats and used the CatWalk XT system to evaluate neurobehavior. Methods A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250–300 g each, were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups that would receive sham surgery or 1, 2, 3, or 4 ligatures of 3-0 chromic gut loosely ligated around the left sciatic nerve. Neurobehavior was assessed by CatWalk XT, thermal hyperalgesia, and mechanic allodynia before injury and periodically after injury. The nerve tissue from skin to dorsal spinal cord was obtained for histomorphological analysis 1 week after injury, and brain evoked potentials were analyzed 4 weeks after injury. Results. Significant differences in expression of nerve growth factor existed in skin, and the differences were associated with the intensity of nerve injury. After injury, expression of cluster of differentiation 68 and tumor necrosis factor–α was increased, and expression of S100 protein in the middle of the injured nerve was decreased. Increased expression of synaptophysin in the dorsal root ganglion and dorsal spinal cord correlated with the intensity of injury. The amplitude of sensory evoked potential increased with greater severity of nerve damage. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia did not differ significantly among treatment groups at various time points. CatWalk XT gait analysis indicated significant differences for print areas, maximum contact maximum intensity, stand phase, swing phase, single stance, and regular index, with sham and/or intragroup comparisons. Conclusions. Histomorphological and electrophysiological alterations were associated with severity of nerve damage. Subtle neurobehavioral differences were detected by the CatWalk XT system but not by mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia. Thus, the CatWalk XT system should be a useful tool for monitoring changes in neuropathic pain, especially subtle alterations.

scholarly journals Sirt2 in the Spinal Cord Regulates Chronic Neuropathic Pain Through Nrf2-Mediated Oxidative Stress Pathway in Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengnan Zhao ◽  
Xiaojiao Zhang ◽  
Xueshu Tao ◽  
Bohan Zhang ◽  
Cong Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Oxidative Stress Marker ◽  
Oxidative Stress Pathway ◽  
Stress Pathway

Reduction in Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response in the central nervous system plays an important role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain (NP). However, the mechanisms regulating Nrf2 activity in NP remain unclear. A recent in vitro study revealed that Sirt2, a member of the sirtuin family of proteins, affects antioxidant capacity by modulating Nrf2 activity. Here we examined whether central Sirt2 regulates NP through Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress pathway. In a rat model of spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP, mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were observed on day 1 and up to day 14 post-SNI. The expression of Sirt2, Nrf2 and its target gene NQO1 in the spinal cord in SNI rats, compared with sham rats, was significantly decreased from day 7 and remained lower until the end of the experiment (day 14). The mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in SNI rats were ameliorated by intrathecal injection of Nrf2 agonist tBHQ, which normalized expression of Nrf2 and NQO1 and reversed SNI-induced decrease in antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increase in oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the spinal cord. Moreover, intrathecal injection of a recombinant adenovirus expressing Sirt2 (Ad-Sirt2) that upregulated expression of Sirt2, restored expression of Nrf2 and NQO1 and attenuated oxidative stress in the spinal cord, leading to improvement of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in SNI rats. These findings suggest that peripheral nerve injury downregulates Sirt2 expression in the spinal cord, which inhibits Nrf2 activity, leading to increased oxidative stress and the development of chronic NP.

Sortilins in neuropathic pain

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-184
Author(s):  
M. Richner ◽  
O.J. Bjerrum ◽  
Y. De Koninck ◽  
A. Nykjaer ◽  
C.B. Vaegter
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injury ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Down Regulation

AbstractBackground/aimsThe molecular mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain are incompletely understood, but recent data suggest that down-regulation of the chloride extruding co-transporter KCC2 in spinal cord sensory neurons is critical: Following peripheral nerve injury, activated microglia in the spinal cord release BDNF, which stimulates neuronal TrkB receptors and ultimately results in the reduction of KCC2 levels. Consequently, neuronal intracellular chloride ion concentration increases, impairing GABAA-receptor mediated inhibition. We have previously described how the receptor sortilin modulates neurotrophin signaling by facilitating anterograde transport of Trk receptors. Unpublished data further link SorCS2, another member of the Sortilins family of sorting receptors (sortilin, SorLA and SorCS1–3) to BDNF signaling by regulating presynaptic TrkB trafficking. The purpose of this study is to explore the involvement of Sortilins in neuropathic pain.MethodsWe subjected wild-type (wt), sortilin knockout (Sort1-/-) and SorCS2 knockout (SorCS2-/-) mice to the Spared Nerve Injury (SNI) model of peripheral nerve injury. Mechanical allodynia was measured by von Frey filaments using the up-down-up method and a 3-out-of-5 thresshold.ResultsAs previously described by several groups, wt mice developed significant mechanical allodynia following SNI. Interestingly however, mice lacking sortilin or SorCS2 were fully protected from development of allodynia and did not display KCC2 down-regulation following injury. In addition, a single intrathecal injection of antibodies against sortilin or SorCS2 could delay or rescue mechanical allodynia in wt SNI mice for 2-3 days. Finally, neither sortilin nor SorCS2 deficient mice responded to intrathecal injection of BDNF, in contrast to wt mice which developed transient mechanical allodynia.ConclusionWe hypothesize that sortilin and SorCS2 are involved in neuropathic pain development by regulating TrkB signaling. Alternatively, Sortilins may directly influence the regulation of KCC2 membrane levels following injury. Both hypotheses are currently being investigated by our group.

scholarly journals Nuclear PPAR-γ Activation Modulates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Attenuating Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Vivo

2021 ◽  
pp. 167-179
Author(s):  
Haritha Pasupulati ◽  
Satyanarayana S. V. Padi ◽  
Sujatha Dodoala ◽  
Prasad V. S. R. G. Koganti
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Antinociceptive Effect ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Ppar Γ ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Background: Paclitaxel-induced painful neuropathy is a major dose-limiting side effect and can persist for up to two years after completing treatment that greatly affects both the course of chemotherapy and quality of life in cancer patients. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ belongs to a family of nuclear receptors known for their transcriptional and regulatory roles in metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. However, the role of PPAR-γ activation on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain is not yet known. Objective: To investigate whether pioglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist reduce paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methodology: Peripheral neuropathy was induced by administration of paclitaxel (2 mg/kg per injection) intraperitoneally on four alternate days (days 0, 2, 4, 6). Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were assessed and the markers of inflammation and nitroso-oxidative stress were estimated. Results: Pioglitazone did not induce hypoalgesia and had no effect on locomotor activity. Repeated oral administration of pioglitazone (10 and 20 mg/kg,) for 2 weeks started 14 days after paclitaxel injection markedly attenuated paw withdrawal responses to thermal (hyperalgesia) and mechanical (allodynia) stimuli. Further, pioglitazone administration significantly reduced elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, in both the dorsal root ganglia and the spinal cord accompanied by marked decrease in oxidative stress parameters as well as increase in activity of antioxidant defense enzyme, superoxide dismutase, in the spinal cord after paclitaxel injection. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that pioglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist exerted antinociceptive effect in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain through inhibiting neuroimmune inflammation in both the periphery and spinal cord and by reducing nitroso-oxidative stress in spinal cord. Our findings strongly suggest pharmacological activation of PPAR-g as a promising therapeutic target in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and provide rationale for the clinical evaluation.

scholarly journals Long-term Application of Glycine Transporter Inhibitors Acts Antineuropathic and Modulates Spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Subunit NR-1 Expression in Rats

2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Barthel ◽  
Andrea Urban ◽  
Lukas Schlösser ◽  
Volker Eulenburg ◽  
Robert Werdehausen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Chronic Constriction Injury ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Receptor Subunit ◽  
Aspartate Receptor

Abstract Background: Dysfunction of spinal glycinergic neurotransmission is a major pathogenetic factor in neuropathic pain. The synaptic glycine concentration is controlled by the two glycine transporters (GlyT) 1 and 2. GlyT inhibitors act antinociceptive in various animal pain models when applied as bolus. Yet, in some studies, severe neuromotor side effects were reported. The aim of the current study was to elucidate whether continuous inhibition of GlyT ameliorates neuropathic pain without side effects and whether protein expression of GlyT1, GlyT2, or N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit NR-1 in the spinal cord is affected. Methods: In the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain, male Wistar rats received specific GlyT1 and GlyT2 inhibitors (ALX5407 and ALX1393; Sigma-Aldrich®, St. Louis, MO) or vehicle for 14 days via subcutaneous osmotic infusion pumps (n = 6). Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed before, after chronic constriction injury, and every 2 days during substance application. At the end of behavioral assessment, the expression of GlyT1, GlyT2, and NR-1 in the spinal cord was determined by Western blot analysis. Results: Both ALX5407 and ALX1393 ameliorated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Respiratory or neuromotor side effects were not observed. NR-1 expression in the ipsilateral spinal cord was significantly reduced by ALX5407, but not by ALX1393. The expression of GlyT1 and GlyT2 remained unchanged. Conclusions: Continuous systemic inhibition of GlyT significantly ameliorates neuropathic pain in rats. Thus, GlyT represent promising targets in pain research. Modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor expression might represent a novel mechanism for the antinociceptive action of GyT1 inhibitors.

scholarly journals Deletion of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3 Relieves the Late Phase of Neuropathic Pain by Preventing Neuron Degeneration and Promoting Neuron Repair

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2355
Author(s):  
Chia-Chi Kung ◽  
Yi-Chu Huang ◽  
Ting-Yun Hung ◽  
Chih-Yu Teng ◽  
Tai-Ying Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Persistent Pain ◽  
Neuron Degeneration ◽  
Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Atf3 Expression

Neuropathic pain is one type of chronic pain that occurs as a result of a lesion or disease to the somatosensory nervous system. Chronic excessive inflammatory response after nerve injury may contribute to the maintenance of persistent pain. Although the role of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in mediating allodynia and hyperalgesia has been extensively studied, the detailed mechanisms of persistent pain or whether the interactions between neurons, glia and immune cells are essential for maintenance of the chronic state have not been completely elucidated. ASIC3, a voltage-insensitive, proton-gated cation channel, is the most essential pH sensor for pain perception. ASIC3 gene expression is increased in dorsal root ganglion neurons after inflammation and nerve injury and ASIC3 is involved in macrophage maturation. ASIC currents are increased after nerve injury. However, whether prolonged hyperalgesia induced by the nerve injury requires ASIC3 and whether ASIC3 regulates neurons, immune cells or glial cells to modulate neuropathic pain remains unknown. We established a model of chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (CCI) in mice. CCI mice showed long-lasting mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. CCI also caused long-term inflammation at the sciatic nerve and primary sensory neuron degeneration as well as increased satellite glial expression and ATF3 expression. ASIC3 deficiency shortened mechanical allodynia and attenuated thermal hyperalgesia. ASIC3 gene deletion shifted ATF3 expression from large to small neurons and altered the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, thereby preventing small neuron degeneration and relieved pain.

scholarly journals Spinal Cord Stimulation Attenuates Mechanical Allodynia and Increases Central Resolvin D1 Levels in Rats With Spared Nerve Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueshu Tao ◽  
Xin Luo ◽  
Tianhe Zhang ◽  
Brad Hershey ◽  
Rosana Esteller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Stimulation ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Spared Nerve Injury ◽  
Resolvin D1 ◽  
Cold Allodynia

Mounting evidence from animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain suggests that inflammation regulates the resolution of pain by producing specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), such as resolvin D1 (RvD1). However, it remains unclear how SPMs are induced in the central nervous system and whether these mechanisms can be reconciled with outcomes of neuromodulation therapies for pain, such as spinal cord stimulation. Here, we show that in a male rat model of neuropathic pain produced by spared nerve injury (SNI), 1 kHz spinal cord stimulation (1 kHz SCS) alone was sufficient to reduce mechanical allodynia and increase RvD1 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). SNI resulted in robust and persistent mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia. Spinal cord electrode implantation was conducted at the T11-T13 vertebral level 1 week after SNI. The spinal locations of the implanted electrodes were validated by X-Ray radiography. 1 kHz SCS was applied for 6 h at 0.1 ms pulse-width, and this stimulation alone was sufficient to effectively reduce nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia during stimulation without affecting SNI-induced cold allodynia. SCS alone significantly reduced interleukin-1β levels in both serum and CSF samples. Strikingly, SCS significantly increased RvD1 levels in the CSF but not serum. Finally, intrathecal injection of RvD1 (100 and 500 ng, i.t.) 4 weeks after nerve injury reduced SNI-induced mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that 1 kHz SCS may alleviate neuropathic pain via reduction of IL-1β and via production and/or release of RvD1 to control SNI-induced neuroinflammation.

scholarly journals Spinal cord homeostatic plasticity gates mechanical allodynia in chronic pain

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Cao ◽  
Gregory Scherrer ◽  
Lu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Central Sensitization ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injury ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity

Central sensitization caused by disinhibition of spinal cord circuits is a key mechanism of mechanical allodynia in neuropathic pain. Despite intense efforts, the molecular mechanisms that drive disinhibition and induce allodynia after peripheral nerve injury remain unclear. Using the spared-nerve injury (SNI) model of allodynia, we here demonstrate that SNI induces disinhibition of spinal nociceptive circuits by triggering homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Specifically, SNI-triggered homeostatic plasticity suppresses the inhibitory outputs of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons that form synapses on both primary afferent terminals and excitatory interneurons, causing hyperactivation of the nociceptive pathway. Using genetic manipulations, we identified the retinoic acid receptor RARα as the key mediator of the homeostatic synaptic plasticity underlying this synaptic disinhibition. Deletion of RARα in PV+ neurons blocked SNI-induced spinal disinhibition, central sensitization, and allodynia. Moreover, deletion of RARα in spinal PV+ neurons or application of an RARα antagonist in the spinal cord prevented the development of SNI-induced mechanical allodynia. Together, our results reveal a molecular mechanism of neuropathic pain whereby homeostatic plasticity causes the mis-direction of tactile information flow to ascending nociceptive pathways following peripheral nerve injury.  

Curcumin Ameliorates Paclitaxel-Induced Pain Hypersensitivity via Alleviation of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasupulati Haritha ◽  
SV Padi Satyanarayana ◽  
Koganti Bharathi ◽  
Koganti Prasad VSRG
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Mechanical Allodynia ◽  
Nitrosative Stress ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽  
Antioxidant Defenses ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Factor Α

Painful peripheral neuropathy is the main dose-limiting and long lasting side-effect of paclitaxel therapy. Despite enormous research, there is no effective treatment for paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathic pain owing to poor understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms. Growing evidence indicates oxidative-nitrosative stress is one of the leading factors causing chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Recently, involvement of neuroinflammation has been suggested in the development of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. It is postulated that abrogating cytokine release and improving antioxidant defenses might be suitable targets in controlling neuroinflammation and oxidative-nitrosative stress mediated nociceptive hypersensitivities. Therefore, the study evaluated the effect of curcumin on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Peripheral neuropathy was induced by administration of paclitaxel (2 mg/kg per injection) intraperitoneally on four alternate days (days 0, 2, 4, 6). Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were assessed and the markers of inflammation and oxidative-nitrosative stress were estimated. Administration of curcumin (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 2 weeks started 14 days after paclitaxel injection significantly alleviated paclitaxel-induced nociceptive behavioural hypersensitivity observed as reduced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. These observed ameliorative effects of curcumin on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain are accompanied by reduction of tumour necrosis factor-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in both spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia and oxidative-nitrosative stress in spinal cord. The results of the present study demonstrated antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of curcumin. Additional clinical studies are warranted to evaluate therapeutic potential of curcumin as antinociceptive agent in the treatment of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

scholarly journals SUR1, newly expressed in astrocytes, mediates neuropathic pain in a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 174480692110066
Author(s):  
Orest Tsymbalyuk ◽  
Volodymyr Gerzanich ◽  
Aaida Mumtaz ◽  
Sanketh Andhavarapu ◽  
Svetlana Ivanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injury ◽  
Thermal Sensitivity ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
Pain Behaviors

Background Neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is linked to neuroinflammation in the spinal cord marked by astrocyte activation and upregulation of interleukin 6 (IL -6 ), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), with inhibition of each individually being beneficial in pain models. Methods Wild type (WT) mice and mice with global or pGfap-cre- or pGFAP-cre/ERT2-driven Abcc8/SUR1 deletion or global Trpm4 deletion underwent unilateral sciatic nerve cuffing. WT mice received prophylactic (starting on post-operative day [pod]-0) or therapeutic (starting on pod-21) administration of the SUR1 antagonist, glibenclamide (10 µg IP) daily. We measured mechanical and thermal sensitivity using von Frey filaments and an automated Hargreaves method. Spinal cord tissues were evaluated for SUR1-TRPM4, IL-6, CCL2 and CXCL1. Results Sciatic nerve cuffing in WT mice resulted in pain behaviors (mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia) and newly upregulated SUR1-TRPM4 in dorsal horn astrocytes. Global and pGfap-cre-driven Abcc8 deletion and global Trpm4 deletion prevented development of pain behaviors. In mice with Abcc8 deletion regulated by pGFAP-cre/ERT2, after pain behaviors were established, delayed silencing of Abcc8 by tamoxifen resulted in gradual improvement over the next 14 days. After PNI, leakage of the blood-spinal barrier allowed entry of glibenclamide into the affected dorsal horn. Daily repeated administration of glibenclamide, both prophylactically and after allodynia was established, prevented or reduced allodynia. The salutary effects of glibenclamide on pain behaviors correlated with reduced expression of IL-6, CCL2 and CXCL1 by dorsal horn astrocytes. Conclusion SUR1-TRPM4 may represent a novel non-addicting target for neuropathic pain.

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