ABSTRACT
Objective Both triptolide and pulsed radiofrequency can effectively alleviate neuropathic pain (NP). This study aims to investigate the effects of combined treatment with triptolide and pulsed radiofrequency on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inflammatory factors by establishing a spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat NP model, thus providing a new idea for NP therapy. Methods A rat NP model of SNL was established, and sham surgery group, model group, triptolide group, pulsed radio frequency group and combined treatment group were set up. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of rats in each group was measured at preoperative (Day 1) and postoperative (Days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14) time points. Spinal dorsal root ganglion was collected 3, 7 and 14 days after the surgery, and mRNA expression levels of Wnt-3α and β-catenin were detected by RT-PCR, protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 by Western blot, and relative expression levels of GAP-43 by immunohistochemical staining. Results The MWT of the model group, triptolide group and pulsed radiofrequency group (7.38±0.08, 9.31±0.23, 8.46±0.30) were lower than that of the combined treatment group (11.65±0.19), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Wnt-3α, β-catenin, iNOS mRNA and COX-2 mRNA after the combined treatment were significantly lower than those of the model group, triptolide group and pulsed radiofrequency group (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of GAP-43 after the combined treatment (1.23±0.02) was significantly higher than that of the model group, triptolide group and pulsed radiofrequency group (1.01±0.02, 0.94±0.03, 0.79±0.01), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion The effects of the combined treatment is significantly better than that of triptolide and pulsed radiofrequency alone, as the combination has a stronger relieving effect on nerve inflammation and promotes the regeneration of nerve cells.