Glial activation and segmental upregulation of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the rat spinal cord after surgical incision.
The present study investigated the expression patterns of glial cells and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the rat spinal cord after a surgical incision, which is closely related with clinical postoperative pain. Microglia and astrocytes became activated in the spinal cord following incision. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemisty showed that IL-1beta mRNA and protein level in the spinal cord was transiently upregulated after surgical incision. The increased IL-1beta-immunoreactivity (IR) was mainly localized in neurons but not the activated microglia or astrocytes. Although obvious increase in IL-1beta-IR could be observed in the lumbar segments of the spinal cord ipsilateral to a hind paw incision, significant upregulation of IL-1beta was not detected in the lumbar segments following thoracic incision. The present study indicated that surgical incision could induce glial activation and segmental upregulation of IL-1beta in the spinal cord. The activated glial cells and upregulated IL-1beta, in turn, may be involved in the incision-induced pain hypersensitivity.
Fu
Di
D
Department of Anesthesiology, Xiang-Ya Hospital, Xiang-Ya College of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Guo
Qulian
Q
Ai
Yuhang
Y
Cai
Hongwei
H
Yan
Jianqin
J
Dai
Ruping
R
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D015854:Up-Regulation
D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger