Resveratrol suppresses neuroinflammation to alleviate mechanical allodynia by inhibiting Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway in a rat model of spinal cord injury

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1116679 · Published: February 16, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of resveratrol (Res), a natural anti-inflammatory compound, to alleviate neuropathic pain (NP) following spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The researchers administered Res intrathecally (directly into the spinal fluid) to rats with SCI and monitored their pain response and inflammatory markers. The results suggest that Res can effectively reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting a specific signaling pathway (JAK2/STAT3) involved in the inflammatory response.

Study Duration

21 days

Participants

Male Sprague–Dawley rats (7 weeks, 260–300 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Intrathecal administration of Resveratrol (Res) alleviated mechanical allodynia in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) for up to 21 days.
2
Res suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the lumbar spinal dorsal horns.
3
Res inhibited the expression of phospho-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in the lumbar spinal dorsal horns, suggesting the involvement of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Research Summary

This study investigated the analgesic effect of Resveratrol (Res) in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI), focusing on its impact on neuropathic pain (NP) and underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate that intrathecal administration of Res effectively alleviated mechanical allodynia in SCI rats, accompanied by reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results suggest that Res's analgesic mechanism involves the suppression of neuroinflammation, partly through the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI-NP.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential for SCI-NP

Resveratrol may offer a new therapeutic strategy for managing neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.

Targeting Neuroinflammation

The study highlights the importance of targeting neuroinflammation and the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in the treatment of SCI-NP.

Expanded Application of Resveratrol

The findings expand the potential applications of resveratrol in pain management and neurological disorders.

Study Limitations

1
The effect of dose change on mechanical allodynia was not further explored.
2
The study did not observe significant improvement in motor function with intrathecal Res administration.
3
The therapeutic dose of Res under different pathological conditions is not uniform.

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