Electroacupuncture alleviates neuropathic pain by modulating Th2 infiltration and inhibiting microglial activation in the spinal cord of rats with spared nerve injury

[摘要] Objective: The objective is to explore the potential mechanisms mediating the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish a spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain. The intensity of neuropathic pain was measured by assessing the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency. Immunofluorescent analysis and western blotting were performed to evaluate the activation of microglia and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling in the L4-6 spinal cord of SD rats. The infiltration of Th2 and expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the L4-6 spine were analyzed by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Behavioral test results demonstrated that SNI-induced hyperalgesia was significantly ameliorated by EA stimulation at “Zusanli” (ST36) and “Yanglingquan” (GB34) points. In addition, EA therapy significantly suppressed microglia activation and phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3 in the L4-6 spine of rats with SNI. Moreover, EA promoted the infiltration of Th2 and secretion of IL-10 in the L4-6 spine of rats with SNI. Conclusions: The study findings indicate that EA stimulation mediated the infiltration of Th2 in the spinal cord of rats with SNI. In addition, EA inhibited microglial activation in the L4-6 spine of rats with SNI.

[学科分类] 内科医学

[关键词] Electroacupuncture;Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling;microglia;neuropathic pain;Th2