Chinese Tuina remodels the synaptic structure in neuropathic pain rats by downregulating the expression of N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B and postsynaptic density protein-95 in the spinal cord dorsal horn

Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023 · DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20221214.002 · Published: December 14, 2022

Alternative Medicine Pain Management Genetics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how Tuina, a traditional Chinese massage, affects neuropathic pain in rats. The study focuses on the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH), a key area for pain processing. The researchers looked at specific proteins (NR2B and PSD-95) involved in synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of synapses to change and adapt. They hypothesized that Tuina could alleviate pain by altering the structure of synapses in the SCDH through these proteins. The findings suggest that Tuina can indeed remodel synaptic structures and reduce pain by downregulating NR2B and PSD-95 expression, indicating a potential mechanism for its pain-relieving effects.

Study Duration

19 d

Participants

Sixty-nine male Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Tuina and MK-801 (an NR2B antagonist) reversed CCI-induced changes in motor function and reduced mechanical and cold allodynia in rats.
2
Tuina and MK-801 decreased glutamate concentration, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels in the SCDH, suggesting reduced inflammation and neurotransmitter activity.
3
Tuina and MK-801 downregulated the expression of NR2B and PSD-95 proteins in the SCDH, indicating a potential mechanism for synaptic remodeling.

Research Summary

This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effects of Chinese Tuina on neuropathic pain in rats by examining synaptic structure remodeling in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH). The results showed that Tuina treatment alleviated pain behaviors, reduced glutamate and inflammatory factor levels, and remodeled the synaptic structure in CCI rats, suggesting that Tuina's analgesic effect is related to inhibiting the release of glutamate, inflammatory factors, and synaptic remodeling. The study concludes that Tuina can alleviate pain by remodeling the synaptic structure, and NR2B and PSD-95 receptors in the SCDH may be among its targets, offering a potential complimentary method for treating neuropathic pain.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application

Tuina may be a useful complementary therapy for managing neuropathic pain.

Drug Target Identification

NR2B and PSD-95 are potential therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain.

Further Research

Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of Tuina and its effectiveness in human subjects.

Study Limitations

1
The study only assumed Tuina can exert an analgesic effect by reducing NR2B expression and suggested using NR2B agonists to confirm this assumption in future studies.
2
SCDH (I–V) was not stratified during transmission electron microscopy, so further differentiation will be needed in future studies.
3
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.

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