【Animal Modeling】-The regulatory mechanism of peripheral pain sensation in rats based on the interaction of TRPV1 and P2X3

  Objective: To observe the relationship between peripheral TRPV1 and P2X3 in rats, in order to partially elucidate the regulatory mechanism of peripheral pain sensation.

  Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, TRPV1 agonist group, P2X3 agonist group, TRPV1 agonist + P2X3 agonist group, TPRV1 agonist + P2X3 inhibitor group, and P2X3 agonist + TRPV1 inhibitor group. By subcutaneous injection of TRPV1 or P2X3 agonists and/or inhibitors, the number of foot withdrawals and the duration of leg lift/licking in each group were observed within 20 minutes; the expression of TRPV1 and P2X3 positive areas in L4DRG levels was observed by immunofluorescence method and co-expression; co-immunoprecipitation method was used to observe the relationship between TRPV1 and P2X3 in L4DRG levels.

  Results: P2X3 agonists could not improve the pain behaviors induced by TRPV1 agonists, but P2X3 inhibitors could alleviate the pain behaviors induced by TRPV1 agonists; TRPV1 agonists could increase the pain behaviors induced by P2X3 agonists, but TRPV1 inhibitors would not alleviate the pain behaviors induced by TRPV1 agonists. Pain behaviors induced by P2X3 agonists. P2X3 agonists can increase the expression of TRPV1-positive areas at L4 DRG levels, and TRPV1 agonists can increase the expression of P2X3-positive areas at L4 DRG levels; TRPV1 and P2X3 are co-expressed and co-precipitated at DRG levels.

  Conclusion: At the level of peripheral neurons, there is a certain interaction between TRPV1 and P2X3. The two can promote the expression of each other. When one of them is inhibited, the function of the other will be correspondingly reduced.