Role of PINK1/Parkin pathway in spinal cord of postherpetic neuralgia rat model with the treatment of pulsed radiofrequency

Abstract

Objective To explore the role of PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway in spinal cord of postherpetic neuralgia rat model with the treatment of pulsed radiofrequency. Methods Thirty-two specific pathogen-free male SD rats, weight 200-220 g, were randomly divided into vehicle control group (V-C group), RTX model control group (RTX-C group), sham treatment group (RTX-Sham group) and PRF treatment group (RTX-PRF group), 8 cases in each group. Pain mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) was assessed before establishment of resinifratoxin (RTX) model, and 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 d after establishment of RTX model, and 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35 d after PRF treatment. Four rats in each group were euthanized and collected L4-6 spinal cord at 35 days after the treatment. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of PINK1 and Parkin protein of spinal cord. Results Compared with V-C group, PMWT was significantly lower in RTX-C group, RTX-Sham group and RTX-PRF group after RTX treatment (P<0.05). Compared with RTX-C group, the PMWT was significantly increased in RTX-PRF group treated with PRF (P<0.05). Compared with V-C group, the spinal cord protein PINK1 and Parkin expression were significantly up-regulated after RTX treatment in the RTX-PRF group (P<0.05). Compared with the RTX-C group, the expression of spinal protein PINK1 and Parkin were significantly decreased in the RTX-PRF group after PRF treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion PRF is effective on PHN model rats by inhibiting the expression of PINK1/Parkin pathway in spinal cord tissue. Key words: PINK1; Parkin; Pulsed radiofrequency treatment; Neuralgia, posthertic; Spinal cord