Articles: sciatic-neuropathy-pathology.
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Lipomatosis of nerve (LN) is a condition of massive peripheral nerve enlargement frequently associated with hypertrophy within the distribution of the nerve, and most commonly affecting the distal limbs. We sought to understand if LN of the lumbosacral plexus would be associated with the trophic effects of LN on surrounding tissue within the pelvis, which may be clinically occult, but present on MRI. ⋯ LN is broader in anatomical reach than previously understood. Proximal plexal innervation may be involved, with a consequent effect on axial skeleton and intrapelvic structures.
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Chronic neuropathic pain is associated with global changes in gene expression in different areas of the nociceptive pathway. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (~22 nt long) non-coding RNAs, which are able to regulate hundreds of different genes post-transcriptionally. The aim of this study was to determine the miRNA expression patterns in the different regions of the pain transmission pathway using a rat model of human neuropathic pain induced by bilateral sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (bCCI). ⋯ Our data indicate that miR-341 is upregulated in the DRG, whereas miR-203, miR-181a-1* and miR-541* are downregulated in the SDH under neuropathic pain conditions. Thus, the differential expression of miRNAs in the nervous system may play a role in the development of chronic pain. These observations may aid in the development of novel treatment methods for neuropathic pain, which may involve miRNA gene therapy in local regions.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
A pan-caspase inhibitor reduces myocyte apoptosis and neuropathic pain in rats with chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve.
Chronic constriction injury is a widely used model for neuropathic pain in rats. It presents with symptoms resembling human neuropathic pain, such as spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. Recently, myocyte apoptosis was found in neuropathic rats as a possible promoter of pain and motor dysfunction. Our aim in this study was to demonstrate whether muscle cell apoptosis contributes to neuropathic pain in this animal model. ⋯ Myocyte apoptosis possibly contributes to thermal and mechanical allodynia in this experimental model for neuropathic pain. The development of neuropathic pain symptoms did not depend on disturbances in microcirculation or muscle tissue inflammation.