The therapeutic effects of transferring remote ischemic preconditioning serum in rats with neuropathic pain symptoms

Heliyon, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20954 · Published: October 13, 2023

Cardiovascular Science Immunology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of using serum from animals that have undergone remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPCs) to treat neuropathic pain in rats. Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve damage, and RIPCs involves short cycles of restricted blood flow to protect against injury. The researchers induced neuropathic pain in rats and then administered RIPCs serum through different routes (intravenously, intraperitoneally, and subcutaneously) to see which method was most effective in reducing pain symptoms like thermal hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to heat) and mechanical allodynia (pain from light touch). The study also looked at how RIPCs might affect glial cells (astrocytes, microglia, and Schwann cells) in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve, as these cells play a role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

120 male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Intravenous administration of RIPCs was most effective in reducing thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in rats with neuropathic pain.
2
RIPCs treatment reduced the activity of glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) in the spinal cord, suggesting a role in alleviating neuropathic pain.
3
RIPCs treatment increased Schwann cell remyelination in the injured sciatic nerve, indicating a potential mechanism for nerve repair and pain reduction.

Research Summary

The study demonstrated that intravenously administered RIPCs significantly improved neuropathic pain symptoms, specifically thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, in rats with partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain. RIPCs treatment, particularly through intravenous administration, modulated glial cell activity in the spinal cord and promoted Schwann cell remyelination in the injured sciatic nerve, suggesting a multifaceted mechanism of action. The findings suggest that RIPCs transfusion could be a potential therapeutic approach for managing neuropathic pain, warranting further investigation into its effects on glial cells and optimal administration strategies.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapeutic Strategy

RIPCs transfusion could be explored as a novel therapeutic strategy for managing neuropathic pain.

Administration Route Optimization

Intravenous administration of RIPCs appears to be the most effective route for delivering therapeutic benefits in neuropathic pain.

Targeting Glial Cells

Further research should focus on understanding the specific mechanisms by which RIPCs modulates glial cell activity to alleviate neuropathic pain.

Study Limitations

1
Spinal cord and sciatic nerve samples were taken only at the end of the experiments, limiting the temporal analysis of RIPCs effects.
2
Agents suppressing the activity of glial cells were not used, making it difficult to definitively determine the specific glial cell types targeted by RIPCs.
3
I.p. and s.c. serum groups were not included in our study not to increase the number of animals used.

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