Microglial BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the Spinal Cord Are Suppressed by Pulsed Radiofrequency on Dorsal Root Ganglion to Ease SNI-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats

Pain Research and Management, 2019 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5948686 · Published: April 28, 2019

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment affects pain pathways in rats with nerve damage. It looks at specific molecules in the spinal cord related to pain processing. The researchers explored whether PRF can reduce pain by influencing the levels of certain proteins (BDNF, PI3K, p-ERK) that are released by microglia, a type of immune cell in the spinal cord. The study found that PRF treatment on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) can indeed suppress these pain-related molecules in the spinal cord, potentially offering a way to alleviate neuropathic pain.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

90 male Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Level 5, Animal study

Key Findings

1
SNI induced a long-lasting increase in microglia hyperactivity and BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK upregulation in the spinal cord and resulted in pain sensitization.
2
PRF was applied on the ipsilateral DRG of the rats on the seventh day after SNI, which also reversed mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia.
3
Microglial BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord are suppressed by the therapy of PRF on DRG to ease SNI-induced neuropathic pain in rats.

Research Summary

The study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying pain reduction by PRF treatment on DRG, focusing on the levels of BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord of rats with spared nerve injury (SNI). The results showed that PRF treatment could regulate the levels of BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord of SNI rats via suppressing the spinal microglia activation to ease neuropathic pain. The conclusion suggests that microglial BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK in the spinal cord are suppressed by PRF on DRG to ease SNI-induced neuropathic pain in rats.

Practical Implications

Pain Management

PRF treatment on DRG can be a valuable intervention for chronic neuropathic pain.

Microglia Targeting

The study suggests a potential therapeutic pathway via suppressing microglia and downregulating BDNF, PI3K and p-ERK.

Further Research

The exact mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of PRF on neuropathic pain deserve further study.

Study Limitations

1
Only the short-term effectiveness of PRF on DRG was explored.
2
In vivo field potential recording in PRF-treated rats was absent.
3
Only one time point was selected to assay the levels of Iba1, BDNF, PI3K, and p-ERK.

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