Abstract:

Objective To determine the expression levels of calcium channel alpha-2-delta-1（Cavα2δ-1） subunit in trigeminal ganglia（TG） and trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis C1-C2 spinal cervical dorsal horn（Vc/C2） after infraorbital nerve（ION） ligation injury in relation to the development of neuropathic nociception. Methods Twelve male SD rats were divided into two groups randomly, with 6 rats for each. In the ligation group, the ION was ligated by chromic gut loosely. In the sham operation group, the ION was exposed under same procedure but not ligated. The behavioral tests were conducted before 1 d and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 d with calibrated von Frey filaments. Cavα2δ-1 protein levels in TG and Vc/C2 were measured with Western blots 15 days after surgery. Results Compared with the sham operation group, changes of allodynia to mechanical stimulation on the territory of ligated ION were found from
the 9th to 15th day after operation in the ligation group（P<0.05）. The expression levels of Cavα2δ-1 in TG and Vc/C2 after ION ligation injury upregulated significantly（P<0.01）. Conclusion The expression levels of Cavα2δ-1 in TG and Vc/C2 after ION ligation injury were upregulated and it may contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropathic nociception.

Key words: calcium channel alpha-2-delta-1 subunit, trigeminal neuralgia, infraorbital nerve ligation