Effect of Warm Needle Combined with Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Expression of P2Y2 Receptors and Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels in the Trigeminal Ganglion of Rats with Trigeminal Neuralgia
Abstract: Objective: To observe the effect of warm needle combined with electrical nerve stimulation on expression of P2Y2 receptors and voltage-gated potassium channels in the trigeminal ganglion of rats with trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: A total of 30 healthy adult male SD rats were selected and divided into the control group, the model group,and the experiment group according to the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group. The model group and the experiment group used the infraorbital nerve constriction surgery via the zygomatic bone approach to prepare a rat model of trigeminal neuralgia. The control group only exposed the infraclavicular nerve without ligation. The control group and the model group did not receive any treatment, and the experiment group was treated with a combination of warm needle and electrical nerve stimulation. Measured the pain threshold of each group of rats; HE staining was used to observe the histological structure of the trigeminal ganglion,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect changes in the concentration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP);RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of P2Y2 receptors and voltage-gated potassium channels in the trigeminal ganglia of rats in the three groups. Results: Compared with those in the control group, the pain threshold of rats in the model group was significantly reduced at 14 and 28 days after surgery (P<0.05); compared with those in the model group, the pain threshold of rats in the experiment group was increased at 14 and 28 days after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group,the expression of CGRP protein and P2Y2 receptor in the trigeminal ganglion,as well as the levels of serum IL-1 β,IL-6,and TNF-α of rats in the model group were all increased (P<0.05);compared with those in the model group,the experiment group showed a decrease in the expression of CGRP protein and P2Y2 receptor in the trigeminal ganglion,as well as levels of IL-1 β,IL-6,and TNF-α in serum (P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the mRNA levels of Kv1.4, Kv3.4, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 in the trigeminal ganglia of rats in the model group were all reduced (P<0.05); compared with those in the model group, the mRNA levels of Kv1.4, Kv3.4, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 in the trigeminal ganglia in the experiment group were increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needle combined with electrical nerve stimulation can alleviate the pain of trigeminal neuralgia rats by inhibiting the expression of CGRP and P2Y2 receptors,promoting the expression of voltage-gated potassium channel related proteins, and reducing serum inflammatory factors,providing new ideas for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.