Is cytokine synthesis in the dorsal root ganglia related to mechanoallodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in the rat model of neuropathic pain?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2011 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Many experimental studies have documented a correlation of pro-inflammatory cytokine elevations with induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain. In our experiments, Wistar rats operated on unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and sham-operated rats were allowed to survive for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days. Withdrawal thresholds for mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were measured in the ipsi- and contralateral hind and fore paws. Expression of TNFa and IL-6 mRNAs was investigated by in situ hybridization and quantified by means of qRT-PCR in L4-L5 (homonymous) and C7-C8 (heteronymous) dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Bilateral up-regulation of TNFa and IL-6 mRNAs was found in the neurons and satellite glial cells of DRG from all investigated segments. TNFa mRNA was peaked in L4-L5 DRG at one day while IL-6 mRNA three days from CCI. Elevation of TNFa and IL-6 mRNAs in C7-C8 DRG was of lower magnitude when compared with L4-L5 DRG. An increased level of cytokine mRNAs was measured and in situ hybridization staining was found in satellite glial cells of DRG from sham-operated animals. The changes of TNFa and IL-6 mRNAs in DRG did not correlate with mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. |
| Related projects: |