ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-Κb)in the lumbar spinal cord in chronic constrictive injury(CCI)of the sciatic nerve.Methods Foay-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups(n=24 in each).The operation group received CCI of the sciatic nerve and the sham-operation group received a sham operation as a control.Their mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds were assessed with paw withdrawal latency (PWL) using von Frey filaments and radiant heating.Four rats were sacrificed at each time point and segments of their lumbar spinal cords were examined using Western blotting.Results Mechanical and thermal stimulation thresholds were reduced significantly after the operation.Expression of NF-Κb protein increased significantly in the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the spine compared with the contralateral side and compared with the sham-operation group.NF-Κb protein expression began to increase on the 1 st day after the operation,reached a peak at the 7th day,and stayed high throughout the experiment.Conclusion NF-Κb in the dorsal horn of the spine may be involved in neuropathie pain after CCI.