Acupoint Catgut Embedding Alleviates Neuropathic Pain by Regulating Sigma-1 Receptor Expression.

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q4 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS

Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening Pub Date : 2025-08-15 DOI:10.2174/0113862073377826250728055125

Heng-Tao Xie, Xiao-Bo Feng, Kai-Rong Du

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Abstract

Introduction: Acupoint Catgut Embedding (ACE), also known as acupuncture catgut implantation, exerts analgesic effects by inhibiting Sig-1R. This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effect of ACE on Sig-1R and its mechanism of action in alleviating nerve pain.

Methods: We assessed behavioral changes in mechanosensitive and thermosensitive pain in rats. Spinal cord tissue damage was examined using HE staining, while apoptosis was evaluated through TUNEL staining. Sig-1R expression in spinal cord tissue was analyzed via immunohistochemistry.

Results: ACE and Sig-1R antagonists significantly reduced paw withdrawal frequency (PWF), decreased the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins, and alleviated morphological damage in spinal cord cells. They also increased the expression of Bcl-2 and prolonged paw withdrawal latency (PWL) in rats. Additionally, ACE and Sig-1R antagonists reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), while elevating levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) in both serum and spinal cord tissues. Furthermore, they downregulated the protein expression of p-ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and Nox2, reduced the number of Th1 and Th17 cells, and increased the number of Th2 and Treg cells.

Discussion: Currently, the mechanism of action of ACE on neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury based on Sig-1R is still unclear. This study evaluated the mechanism by which ACE alleviates neuralgia by regulating the expression of Sig-1R in the spinal cord. In future work, we aim to conduct additional experiments to determine the precise localization of T cells within the spinal cord and to further investigate their direct interactions with glial cells.

Conclusion: ACE effectively alleviates nerve pain by modulating Sig-1R expression in the spinal cord, thereby regulating inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and associated signaling pathways.

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穴位埋线通过调节Sigma-1受体表达缓解神经性疼痛。

穴位埋线（ACE），又称针刺埋线，通过抑制Sig-1R发挥镇痛作用。本研究旨在探讨ACE对Sig-1R的调节作用及其缓解神经痛的作用机制。方法：观察大鼠机械敏感性和热敏性疼痛的行为变化。HE染色观察脊髓组织损伤，TUNEL染色观察细胞凋亡。免疫组化分析脊髓组织中Sig-1R的表达。结果：ACE和Sig-1R拮抗剂显著降低脊髓细胞的足爪戒断频率（PWF），降低Bax和cleaved caspase-3蛋白的表达，减轻脊髓细胞形态学损伤。它们还增加了Bcl-2的表达，延长了大鼠的脱爪潜伏期（PWL）。此外，ACE和Sig-1R拮抗剂降低血清和脊髓组织中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6以及丙二醛（MDA）的水平，同时升高超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）的水平。下调p-ERK1/2、p38 MAPK、Nox2蛋白表达，减少Th1、Th17细胞数量，增加Th2、Treg细胞数量。讨论：目前，基于Sig-1R的ACE对周围神经损伤引起的神经性疼痛的作用机制尚不清楚。本研究探讨ACE通过调节脊髓中Sig-1R的表达减轻神经痛的机制。在未来的工作中，我们的目标是进行更多的实验来确定T细胞在脊髓内的精确定位，并进一步研究它们与神经胶质细胞的直接相互作用。结论：ACE通过调节脊髓中Sig-1R的表达，从而调节炎症反应、氧化应激及相关信号通路，有效缓解神经痛。

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来源期刊

Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening 化学-生化研究方法

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

5.60%

发文量

327

审稿时长

7.5 months

期刊介绍： Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening (CCHTS) publishes full length original research articles and reviews/mini-reviews dealing with various topics related to chemical biology (High Throughput Screening, Combinatorial Chemistry, Chemoinformatics, Laboratory Automation and Compound management) in advancing drug discovery research. Original research articles and reviews in the following areas are of special interest to the readers of this journal: Target identification and validation Assay design, development, miniaturization and comparison High throughput/high content/in silico screening and associated technologies Label-free detection technologies and applications Stem cell technologies Biomarkers ADMET/PK/PD methodologies and screening Probe discovery and development, hit to lead optimization Combinatorial chemistry (e.g. small molecules, peptide, nucleic acid or phage display libraries) Chemical library design and chemical diversity Chemo/bio-informatics, data mining Compound management Pharmacognosy Natural Products Research (Chemistry, Biology and Pharmacology of Natural Products) Natural Product Analytical Studies Bipharmaceutical studies of Natural products Drug repurposing Data management and statistical analysis Laboratory automation, robotics, microfluidics, signal detection technologies Current & Future Institutional Research Profile Technology transfer, legal and licensing issues Patents.