ACLS
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Xie, W.
Right arrow Articles by Xu, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Xie, W.
Right arrow Articles by Xu, J.
Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science 36:39-46 (2006)
© 2006 Association of Clinical Scientists

Betamethasone Affects Cerebral Expressions of NF-{kappa}B and Cytokines that Correlate with Pain Behavior in a Rat Model of Neuropathy

Weiying Xie1, Saizhen Luo2, Haojun Xuan2, Chiuwen Chou1, Ganlin Song4, Ran Lv1, Yi Jin1, Wei Li1 and Jianguo Xu1
1 Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing;2 College of Science, Nanchang University; 3 Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tongde Hospital, Hangzhou, and 4 Art and Design College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China

Address correspondence to Jianguo Xu, Ph.D., Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210002, P.R.China; tel 86 25 8480 6839; fax: 86 25 8480 6839; e-mail: xwyxieweiying{at}hotmail.com.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether corticosteroids modulate neuropathic pain by altering cerebral expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-{kappa}B) and specific cytokines. The effects of topical betamethasone on neuropathic pain and cerebral expression of NF-{kappa}B and cytokines were studied in a rat model of L5 spinal nerve transaction. Behavioral testing was undertaken on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-operation using the von Frey and Hargreaves tests. NF-{kappa}B activation in the brain was investigated by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and cerebral expressions of tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF{alpha}), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Spinal nerve transection induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, which were significantly ameliorated by topical injection of betamethasone around the site of injury. In addition, betamethasone reduced the activation of NF-{kappa}B and elevation of TNF{alpha} and IL-1ß, and induced the expression of IL-10 in the brain, all of which correlated with the changes of pain thresholds in rats. The results suggest that topical betamethasone injection inhibits the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Betamethasone may act by regulating the expression of NF-{kappa}B, TNF{alpha}, IL-1ß and IL-10 in the brain. This study yields new insight into the mechanisms of corticosteroid action in neuropathic pain and may provide a basis for clinical pain control.

Keywords: betamethasone, neuropathic pain, hyperalgesia, allodynia, NF-{kappa}B, TNF{alpha}, IL-1ß, IL-10




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Ann Clin Lab SciHome page
G. Chen, J. Shi, W. Jin, L. Wang, W. Xie, J. Sun, and C. Hang
Progesterone Administration Modulates TLRs/NF-{kappa}B Signaling Pathway in Rat Brain after Cortical Contusion
Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci., January 1, 2008; 38(1): 65 - 74.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2006 by the Association of Clinical Scientists.