p38/MAPK inhibitor modulates the expression of dorsal horn GABA(B) receptors in the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain.
BACKGROUND
Neuropathic pain is one of the most challenging clinical problems due to a lack of understanding the mechanisms. Recent studies have suggested that activated microglia in spinal cord may play a vital role in nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, but the exact mechanisms have not been fully determined.


METHODS
First, we investigated the changes of dorsal horn GABA(B) receptor 1 (R1) expression in spinal nerve ligation rats. Second, we explored whether activated microglia contributed to such neuron changes by intrathecal administration of the p38 inhibitor, SB203580.


RESULTS
In this study, we found a dynamic change of GABA(B)R1a protein expression after spinal nerve ligation, and the peripheral nerve injury-induced downregulation of GABA(B)R1a expression in the spinal dorsal horn could be prevented by intrathecal administration of a p38/MAPK inhibitor SB203580.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide valuable information for a better understanding of neuropathic pain and may contribute to developing effective treatments in future studies.
Pain Management Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, PR China.
Junzhen
J
Wu
Yongming
Y
Xu
Shaofeng
S
Pu
Wei
W
Jiang
Dongping
D
Du
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005911:Gliosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases