Abstract
BackgroundPostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the painful complication of a varicella zoster virus reactivation. We investigated the systemic and local gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in patients with PHN.MethodsThirteen patients with PHN at the torso (Th4-S1) were recruited. Skin punch biopsies were obtained from the painful and the contralateral painless body area for intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) and cytokine profiling. Additionally, blood was withdrawn for systemic cytokine expression and compared to blood values of healthy controls. We analyzed the gene expression of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF] and interleukins [IL]-1β, IL-2, and IL-8).ResultsIENFD was lower in affected skin compared to unaffected skin (p<0.05), while local gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines did not differ except for two patients who had 7fold higher IL-6 and 10fold higher IL-10 gene expression in the affected skin compared to the contralateral unaffected skin sample. Also, the systemic expression of cytokines in patients with PHN and in healthy controls was similar.ConclusionWhile the systemic and local expression of the investigated pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was not different from controls, this may have been influenced by study limitations like the low number of patients and different disease durations. Furthermore, other cytokines or pain mediators need to be considered.
Highlights
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the painful complication of a varizella zoster virus reactivation
Patients and healthy controls Between 2007 and 2010, 13 patients with PHN localized in the dermatomes Th4 to S1 of the torso were recruited at the Departments of Neurology of the Universities of Wurzburg and Munich, Germany
No correlation was found between depressive symptoms and pain
Summary
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the painful complication of a varizella zoster virus reactivation. In several neuropathic pain conditions such as painful neuropathies, complex regional pain syndrome or small fiber neuropathy, an imbalance of systemic or local cytokine profiles has been reported e.g. for proand anti-inflammatory interleukins [6,7,8,9]. It is unclear if alterations in cytokine profiles are the cause or the consequence of neuropathic pain in these disorders, data from animal experiments give unequivocal evidence for the importance of cytokine homoeostasis as the basis for physiological pain perception [10].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
