Photobiomodulation reduces neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by downregulating CXCL10 expression

CNS Neurosci Ther, 2023 · DOI: 10.1111/cns.14325 · Published: January 19, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pain Management Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how photobiomodulation (PBM) can help with neuropathic pain after a spinal cord injury (SCI). PBM uses low-energy light to stimulate cells. The study found that PBM can improve pain after SCI, but the exact reasons why are not fully understood. The researchers looked at rats with SCI and studied how PBM affected a molecule called CXCL10. They found that PBM lowers the levels of CXCL10 in certain cells. This reduction in CXCL10 is linked to improvements in pain. The study also found that PBM affects a pathway called NF-κB. This pathway is involved in pain and inflammation. PBM seems to calm down this pathway, which then lowers CXCL10 levels and reduces pain.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

225 Sprague–Dawley rats (male, 6 weeks old) and 10 newborn rat pups

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
PBM therapy improves neuropathic pain behaviors after spinal cord injury in rats.
2
PBM inhibits the activation of microglia and astrocytes, which are types of glial cells in the central nervous system.
3
PBM decreases the expression level of CXCL10 in glial cells, and this is associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that photobiomodulation (PBM) can alleviate neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. PBM treatment led to improvements in pain-related behaviors and promoted motor function recovery. PBM significantly inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, decreasing the expression level of CXCL10. The NF-κB signaling pathway may be involved in these effects. These findings suggest that PBM could be a potentially effective therapy for NP after SCI, with CXCL10 and NF-kB signaling pathways being critical factors in pain relief mediated by PBM.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapeutic Strategy

PBM could be a promising non-pharmacological intervention for managing neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.

Targeted Treatment

CXCL10 and NF-kB signaling pathways may serve as potential targets for developing new pain relief strategies.

Clinical Translation

Further clinical studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of PBM for neuropathic pain in SCI patients and determine optimal treatment parameters.

Study Limitations

1
The study lacks investigation and demonstration of the downstream pathway of CXCL10 contributing to NP after SCI.
2
The study only focused on the effect of PBM on the expression of chemokines in the early phase of SCI.
3
Only adult male SD rats were used, and the suppressive effect of PBM on NP after SCI in female rats and elderly rats still needs to be further assessed.

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