Neural Regen Res
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Review
Neuronal changes resulting in up-regulation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors after peripheral nerve injury.
Under normal conditions, the sympathetic neurotransmitter noradrenaline inhibits the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, after peripheral nerve and tissue injury, pro-inflammatory cytokines appear to induce the expression of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype on immune cells and perhaps also on other cells in the injured tissue. ⋯ Consequently, nociceptive afferents acquire an abnormal excitability to adrenergic agents, and inflammatory processes build. These mechanisms could contribute to the development of sympathetically maintained pain in conditions such as post-herpetic neuralgia, cutaneous neuromas, amputation stump pain and complex regional pain syndrome.
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Electroacupuncture has traditionally been used to treat pain, but its effect on pain following brachial plexus injury is still unknown. In this study, rat models of an avulsion injury to the left brachial plexus root (associated with upper-limb chronic neuropathic pain) were given electroacupuncture stimulation at bilateral Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI04), Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34). ⋯ Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of β-endorphins in the arcuate nucleus was significantly increased after therapy. Thus, experimental findings indicate that electroacupuncture can attenuate neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury through upregulating β-endorphin expression.
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Yizhijiannao granules have been shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease patients. The present study sought to explore the mechanisms involved in the cognitive enhancing effects of Yizhijiannao granule. Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 mice with learning and memory disorders were intragastrically treated with Yizhijiannao granule for 8 weeks. ⋯ Ten protein spots were identified: high mobility group box 1, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1, neuroglobin, hemoglobin beta adult major chain, peroxiredoxin-6, cofilin-1, flotillin 1, peptidylprolyl isomerase A, voltage-dependent anion channel-2 and chaperonin containing TCP1, and subunit 2. Among other functions, these proteins are separately involved in the regulation of amyloid beta production, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, regulation of tau phosphorylation, and regulation of neuronal apoptosis. Our results revealed that Yizhijiannao granule can regulate the expression of various proteins in the temporal lobe of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 mice, and may be therapeutically beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.