Abstract
Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment is a minimally invasive technique with multiple therapeutic applications. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel mediating Ih may regulate neuropathic pain signaling. This study aimed to determine whether PRF suppresses neuropathic pain by altering HCN channel expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Male Sprague Dawley rats with sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) were randomly assigned to PRF (n = 60) and sham control (n = 60) groups, respectively. On postoperative day 7 (D07), PRF or sham treatment was delivered to the proximal sciatic nerve for 8min. Behavioral tests were performed before surgery (D0), on D07, and on D1, D7, and D14 after PRF or sham treatment. HCN1 and HCN2 expression levels in the DRG were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that thermal hyperalgesia, mechano-allodynia, and mechano-hyperalgesia were lower, and DRG expression levels of HCN1 and HCN2 higher, in the PRF group compared with sham control animals (all P < 0.05 at D14). In conclusion, PRF can upregulate HCN channel expression in the DRG of rats with sciatic nerve CCI. How this regulation of Ih in nociceptive afferents contributes to the suppression of neuropathic pain by PRF remains to be determined.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
