Electroacupuncture Modulates Spinal BDNF/TrκB Signaling Pathway and Ameliorates the Sensitization of Dorsal Horn WDR Neurons in Spared Nerve Injury Rats

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186524 · Published: September 7, 2020

Alternative Medicine Pain Management Genetics

Simple Explanation

Neuropathic pain significantly impacts patients' lives, and current treatments have limitations. This study explores how electroacupuncture (EA) affects neuropathic pain caused by spared nerve injury (SNI) in rats. The research focuses on the BDNF/TrκB signaling pathway in the spinal cord and its role in the pain-relieving effects of 2 Hz EA. The study found that 2 Hz EA reduces BDNF and TrκB levels, alleviating mechanical hypersensitivity in SNI rats. Introducing BDNF countered the pain-reducing effects of EA, suggesting that EA's analgesic effect involves blocking the spinal BDNF/TrκB signaling pathway. Targeting this pathway could be a mechanism for EA to treat neuropathic pain.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

164 healthy male SD rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
2 Hz EA significantly down-regulated the levels of BDNF and TrκB mRNA and protein expression in the spinal cord of SNI rats, along with ameliorating mechanical hypersensitivity.
2
Intrathecal injection of 100 ng BDNF not only inhibited the analgesic effect of 2 Hz EA on pain hypersensitivity, but also reversed the decrease of BDNF and TrκB expression induced by 2 Hz EA.
3
2 Hz EA obviously reduced the increase of C-fiber-evoked discharges of dorsal horn WDR neurons by SNI, but exogenous BDNF (100 ng) effectively reversed the inhibitory effect of 2 Hz EA on SNI rats.

Research Summary

This study investigates the mechanisms by which 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates neuropathic pain in spared nerve injury (SNI) rats, focusing on the spinal BDNF/TrκB signaling pathway. The results indicate that 2 Hz EA down-regulates BDNF and TrκB expression in the spinal cord, ameliorating mechanical hypersensitivity and reducing the excitability of dorsal horn WDR neurons. Intrathecal administration of BDNF reversed the analgesic effects of 2 Hz EA, suggesting that EA's therapeutic effect is mediated through the inhibition of the spinal BDNF/TrκB signaling pathway.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target Identification

The BDNF/TrκB signaling pathway in the spinal cord may be a promising therapeutic target for electroacupuncture (EA) treatment of neuropathic pain.

EA Mechanism Elucidation

The study elucidates a potential mechanism by which 2 Hz EA alleviates neuropathic pain, involving the modulation of spinal BDNF/TrκB signaling and the reduction of central sensitization.

Clinical Application Potential

The findings support the clinical use of EA as an alternative therapy for neuropathic pain, particularly by targeting the BDNF/TrκB cascade in the spinal cord.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to SNI-induced neuropathic pain in rats, and the results may not be generalizable to other types of neuropathic pain or to humans.
2
The specific molecular mechanisms downstream of the BDNF/TrκB signaling pathway were not fully elucidated.
3
The long-term effects and potential tolerance of EA treatment were not investigated.

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