Role of cyclooxygenases in up-regulation of P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglion in rats with neuropathic pain / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the role of cyclooxygenases (COXs) in the up-regulation of the expression of P2X3 receptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in rats with neuropsthic pain. Methods Twenty-four male SD rats, weighing 250-280 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 6 each) sham operation group (group S), chronic constrictive injury (CCI) group, COX-1 inhibitor ibuprofen group (group Ⅰ), and COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib group (group C). Neuropathic pain was induced by CCI. The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10% chloral hydrate 300-500 mg/kg. CCI was produced by placing 4 ligatures on the left sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals. In group S, the left sciatic nerve was only exposed but not ligated. In groups Ⅰ and C, ibuprofen 40 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 and celecoxib 30 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 were given through a gastric tube into the stomach at day 3-14 after operation respectively. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) were measured before operation (baseline), and at 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after operation. Then the rats were sacrificed and their L()-6 DRGs were removed to detect the expression of P2X3 mRNA and protein. Results Compared with group S, PWL was significantly shortened, PWT decreased, and P2X3 mRNA and protein expression up-regulated in group CCI ( P ＜ 0.05＝. Compared with group CCI, PWL was significantly prolonged, PWT increased, and P2X3 mRNA and protein expression down-regulated in groups Ⅰ and C (P ＜0.05＝. Compared with group Ⅰ, PWL was significantly prolonged, PWT increased, and P2X3 mRNA and protein expression up-regulated in group C ( P ＜0.05＝. Conclusion COXs are involved in the up-regulation of the expression of P2X3 receptors in the DRG in rats with neuropathic pain, and the effect of COX-1 is stronger than that of COX-2.