Biomol Ther.  2013 Mar;21(2):126-131.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes by Gabapentin in Cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion in a Rat Neuropathic Pain Model

• Heo JH
• Lee SH
• Chang KH
• Han EH
• Lee SG
• Choi DW
• Kim SW

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain disorder caused by nervous system lesions as a direct consequence of a lesion or by disease of the portions of the nervous system that normally signal pain. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats that reflect some components of clinical pain have played a crucial role in the understanding of neuropathic pain. To investigate the direct effects of gabapentin on differential gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of SNL model rats, we performed a differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis with random priming approach using annealing control primer. Genes encoding metallothionein 1a, transforming growth factor-beta1 and palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-2 were up-regulated in gabapentin-treated DRG cells of SNL model rats. The functional roles of these differentially expressed genes were previously suggested as neuroprotective genes. Further study of these genes is expected to reveal potential targets of gabapentin.

Keyword

Dorsal root ganglion; Neuropathic pain; Spinal nerve ligation; Gabapentin

MeSH Terms

Animals
Chronic Pain
Diagnosis-Related Groups
Ganglia, Spinal*
Gene Expression
Ligation
Metallothionein
Nervous System
Neuralgia*
Rats*
Spinal Nerve Roots*
Spinal Nerves
Metallothionein