Electroacupuncture improves neuronal plasticity through the A2AR/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in SNL rats

作者：Qiaoyun Wu, Jie Chen, Jingjing Yue, Xinwang Ying, Ye Zhou, Xiaolong Chen, Wenzhan Tu, Xinfa Lou, Guanhu Yang, Kecheng Zhou, Songhe Jiang · 发表于：Neurochemistry International · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1016/j.neuint.2021.104983 · 被引用次数：38 · 研究领域：Pain Mechanisms and Treatments、Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies、Healthcare and Venom Research

Improvements in neuronal plasticity are considered to be conducive to recovery from neuropathic pain. Electroacupuncture (EA) is regarded as an effective rehabilitation method for neuropathic pain. However, the effects and potential mechanism associated with EA-induced repair of hyperesthesia are not fully understood. Evidence has suggested that the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway play an important role in improving neuropathic pain. Here, we examined the function of EA in promoting neuronal plasticity in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats. The A2AR antagonist SCH58261, A2AR agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-50-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine HCl (CGS21680) and A2AR siRNA were used to confirm the relationship between A2AR and the cAMP/PKA pathway as well as the effects of A2AR on EA-induced improvements in neurobehavioral state and neuronal plasticity. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), HE staining, Western blotting, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Nissl staining, silver staining, Golgi-Cox staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the changes in neurobehavioral performance, protein expression, neuronal structure and dendrites/synapses. The results showed that EA and CGS21680 improved the behavioral performance, neuronal structure and dendritic/synaptic morphology of SNL rats, consistent with higher expre...