Clonidine and dexmedetomidine's effect on the altered expressions of growth associated protein-43 mRNA in rat dorsal root ganglion during the development of chronic neuropathic pain

• Published in: Zhong hua yi xue za zhi Vol. 92; no. 7; p. 444
• Main Authors: Xing, Yan-Hong, Leng, Yu-Fang, Wang, Shu-Xiu, Gao, Xiang-Mei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 21.02.2012
• Subjects: Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists - pharmacology; Animals; Clonidine - pharmacology; Dexmedetomidine - pharmacology; Ganglia, Spinal - metabolism; GAP-43 Protein - metabolism; Male; Neuralgia - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger - genetics
• ISSN: 0376-2491
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0376-2491.2012.07.004

To explore the effects of α(2) adrenergic receptor (α(2)AR) agonists clonidine and dexmedetomidine on the injury model of peripheral nerve chronic constriction in rats. A total of 72 male SD rats weighing 180 - 250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 18 each). In sham operation group (S), the right sciatic nerves were exposed but not ligated. But, in other groups, four ligatures were placed around the right sciatic nerve according to the Bennett's method. From the instant after operation, 0.4 mg × kg(-1)× d(-1) clonidine and 50.0 µg × kg(-1)× d(-1) were injected intraperitoneally into the clonidine group (CL) and dexmedetomidine group (Dex) daily. And the same volume of normal saline was injected into the S and CCI groups (C) respectively. Mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured by paw withdrawal latencies at Day 1 pre-operation and Day 3, 7 and 14 post-operation. After that, the L(4-6) dorsal root ganglions to chronic constriction injured sciatic nerves were harvested. Reverse transcripti