Articles: neuropathic-pain.
-
Previous studies have confirmed the relationship between chloride homeostasis and pain. However, the role of sodium potassium chloride co-transporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) in dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGs) in spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neuropathic pain (NP) remains inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether suppression of NKCC1 in the spinal cord and DRGs alleviate the NP of adult rats with thoracic spinal cord contusion. ⋯ Our results revealed that NKCC1 protein expression in the spinal cord and DRGs was significantly up-regulated in rats with SCI. Intraperitoneal treatment of bumetanide (an NKCC1 inhibitor) reversed the expression of NKCC1 in the dorsal horn and DRGs and ameliorated mechanical ectopic pain and thermal hypersensitivities in the SCI rats. Our study demonstrated the occurrence of NKCC1 overexpression in the spinal cord and DRGs in a rodent model of NP and indicated that changes in the peripheral nervous system also play a major role in promoting pain sensitization after SCI.
-
Phantom tooth pain (PTP) is a rare and specific neuropathic pain that occurs after pulpectomy and tooth extraction, but its cause is not understood. We hypothesized that there is a genetic contribution to PTP. The present study focused on the CACNA1C gene, which encodes the α1C subunit of the Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) that has been reported to be associated with neuropathic pain in previous studies. ⋯ Nociceptive transmission in neuropathic pain has been reported to involve Ca2+ influx from LTCCs, and the rs216009 polymorphism may be involved in CACNA1C expression, which regulates intracellular Ca2+ levels, leading to the vulnerability to PTP. Furthermore, psychological factors may lead to the development of PTP by modulating the descending pain inhibitory system. Altogether, homozygous C-allele carriers of the rs216009 SNP were more likely to be vulnerable to PTP, possibly through the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels and affective pain systems, such as those that mediate fear memory recall.
-
Neuropathic pain (NP) is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities and currently lacks effective treatment. Prior research has shown that HDAC6 plays a crucial role in pain sensitization, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. HDAC6 inhibitors have been found to alleviate mechanical allodynia caused by inflammation and peripheral nerve damage. ⋯ ACY-1215 also inhibited neuron activation and suppressed CCI-induced pyroptosis and neuroinflammatory responses. In summary, our results suggest that HDAC6 contributes to the development and maintenance of NP through neuronal activation and neuroinflammation. HDAC6 may be a promising target for treating NP.
-
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a last-resort treatment for patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The mechanism underlying SCS and pain relief is not yet fully understood. Because the inflammatory balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules in the spinal nociceptive network is pivotal in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain, the working mechanism of SCS is suggested to be related to the modulation of this balance. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and understand the effects of different SCS paradigms on the central inflammatory balance in the spinal cord. ⋯ In summary, the preclinical findings tend to indicate that there is a distinct SCS paradigm-related effect in the modulation of the central inflammatory balance of the spinal dorsal horn.
-
Observational Study
A comparison of self-reported pain measures between sensory phenotypes in HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
Painful HIV-associated neuropathy (HIV-SN) is a prevalent co-morbidity of HIV infection. Sensory phenotyping, using quantitative sensory testing (QST) could allow for improved stratification to guide personalized treatment. However, previous methods of QST interpretation have demonstrated limited association with self-reported pain measures. ⋯ Differences in self-reported pain outcomes between sensory phenotypes has the potential to guide future stratified trials and eventually more targeted therapy. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents quantitative sensory testing derived phenotypes, thought to reflect differing pathophysiological pain mechanisms and relates them to self-reported pain measures in people with HIV infection. This could help clinicians stratify patients to individualize analgesic interventions more effectively.