ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate whether osthole can alleviate neuropathic pain induced by HIV gpl20 and its mechanism. Methods The paw withdrawal threshold and the paw withdrawal latency were observed to assess pain behaviors in four groups of the rats, including sham group, sham combined with osthole treatment group, gpl20 treatment group, and gpl20 combined with osthole treatment group. The protein expression levels of the P2X3 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-a receptor (TNF-aR), ERK, p-ERK in the L4-L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were measured by Western blot. The mRNA expression level of P2X3 receptor was assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( qPCR). The whole path clamp recording was used to measure HEK293 cell current activated by ATP. Results Osthole attenuated the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in gpl20 treated rats and down-regulated P2X3 receptor mRNA and protein expression in L4-L6 DRGs of gpl20 treated rats. Additionally, osthole simultaneously decreased the expression of TNF-ctR protein in L4-L6 DRGs and inhibited the phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein expression. Moreover, osthole reduced ATP activated current of HEK293 cells transfected with hP2X3R. Conclusion Osthole decreases the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia induced by gpl20 through inhibiting P2X3R in DRG.
ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection may result in serious impairment of the immune system in HIV-posi-tive patients. Both HIV productions and highly active antiretrovi-ral therapy (HAART) drugs can cause neuropathy, including the HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and the peripheral neuropathy. Several animal models have been devel-oped in an attempt to study the mechanisms of HIV relative neu-ropathies. This review focuses on researching HIV-1 associated neuropathies by application of HIV-1 animal models.