Pulsed radiofrequency alleviated neuropathic pain by down-regulating the expression of substance P in chronic constriction injury rat model

Chinese Medical Journal, 2020 · DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000619 · Published: January 1, 2020

Simple Explanation

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a non-invasive treatment for neuropathic pain (NP). This study explores if PRF's mechanism involves intervening in the expression of substance P (SP), a key pain-related neuropeptide. The study found that PRF treatment in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) led to increased pain thresholds and decreased SP expression in the spinal cord. The results suggest that PRF may alleviate neuropathic pain by reducing SP expression in the spinal cord.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

96 Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
PRF treatment significantly increased hindpaw withdrawal threshold (HWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) in CCI model rats after 28 days.
2
The expression of SP mRNA in the spinal cord of the C-P group at 7 days after treatment was signiﬁcantly lower than that in the C-S group
3
PRF treatment significantly decreased the expression of SP protein in the spinal cord of CCI model rats.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on neuropathic pain (NP) in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI). The findings suggest that PRF alleviates CCI-induced NP by down-regulating the expression of substance P (SP) in the spinal cord. The study provides a mechanistic target for future research aimed at improving the efficacy of PRF in treating NP.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application of PRF

PRF can be used as a safe and effective method for relieving mechanical hyperalgesia due to neuropathic pain.

Mechanism-Based Treatment

Targeting SP expression may be a viable option for developing more precise and effective therapies for neuropathic pain.

Individualized Dose Adjustment

Clinicians should conduct individualized dose adjustment of drugs based on changes in the patient’s pain after PRF treatment.

Study Limitations

1
The study lacks an antagonist group to further confirm the role of SP.
2
The longer-term efficacy of PRF beyond 28 days was not explored.
3
SP expression changes in other parts of the nociceptive sensory pathway, such as in the DRG and the sciatic nerve, were not measured.

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