Experimental Studies On The Effect Of Zinc On PERK Expression In NPP Model Mice Spinal Cord

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of zinc on the phosphorylative extracellular signal-regulate kinase (pERK) expression in neuropathic pain (NPP) model micespinal cord and the animal ethology changes.Methods72mice were divided into4groups:(1) control group, normally fed mice(2weeks) were infected with mixture (Tween80, alcohol and physiologicalsaline);(2) normally fed mice (2weeks) were injected with capsaicin (0.5%，5μl);(3) low level zinc fed mice (2weeks) were injected with capsaicin;(4) high levelzinc fed mice (2weeks) were injected with capsaicin. Animal ethologyobserveration, immunohistochemistry, immune blotting and image analysis wereused to test the effect of zinc on the animal ethology and pERK expression inthe model mice spinal cord.ResultsThe hot pain threshold decreased after the normally fed mice had beeninjected with capsaicin, while the pERK expression increased. High level zincpre-treatment depressed the pERK expression in spinal cord, enhanced the hotpain threshold. Low level zinc pre-treatment enhanced the pERK expression inspinal cord and decreased the hot pain threshold.ConclusionsZinc can inhibite the pERK expression in NPP model mice spinal cord andenhance the hot pain threshold.