The Activation Of Astrocytes Mediated Post Herpetic Neuralgia In Mice

Objective: Post herpetic neuralgia is made by intraperitoneal injection of Resiniferatoxin(RTX),to observe the role of astrocytes activation in post herpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods: 48 kunming mouse(20-25 g) was employed. Resiniferatoxin was injected into the peritoneal cavity to made post herpetic neuralgia(PHN) model.Mice were divided into 2 group randomly, 8 in vehicle group,40 in PHN group. PHN group divided into 4 group randomly(A,B,C,D), each group of 10.Group A, Fluorocitrate,an inhibitor of astrocytes was intrathecally(i.t.) injected to the mouse.Group B Fluorocitrate’s vehicle was intrathecally(i.t.) injected to the mouse,Group C, Fluorocitrate,an inhibitor of astrocytes was intraperitonealy(i.p.) injected to the mouse,Group D, Fluorocitrate’s vehicle was intraperitonealy(i.p.) injected to the mouse,drugs given seven days. Immunofuorescence was used to detected the activation of astrocytes, Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold(MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL) were used to assayed the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia respectively. Fluorocitrate, an inhibitor of astrocytes was intrathecally(i.t.) or intraperitonealy(i.p.) injected to the mouseResults: Compared with vehicle group,MWT or TWL was decreased or increased significantly in RTX group.Both pre-treatments of fluorocitrate(Fc, i.t.,or i.p.) inhibited the decrease of MWT.Conclusions: The activation of astrocytes mediates the post herpetic neuralgia.