Objective: To observe the effect of acute incision pain on the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) in the dorsal horn of rat spinal cord.
Methods: 80 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and acute incision pain model group. In the incision pain model group, all rats in the incision pain model group made a longitudinal incision in the left hind paw to prepare the incision pain model. At 2, 4, 6, and 24 h, the von Frey filament method was used to measure the changes of the mechanical retraction threshold of the left hind paw of rats. The dorsal horn tissue of the left spinal cord of the rats was collected before operation and at 2 h and 4 h after operation.
Results: The 50% mechanical retraction threshold of the acute incision pain group was significantly decreased within 24 hours after operation, and was most significant at 2 hours and 4 hours, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (P<0.01); Western blot results showed that the expression of Cx43 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the acute incision pain group was significantly increased at 2 and 4 hours after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (P<0.01). The immunofluorescence intensity of Cx43 in the dorsal horn of spinal cord in the group was significantly increased at 2, 4, and 24 h after operation, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Acute incision pain can significantly increase the expression of connexin Cx43 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and connexin Cx43 may be involved in the production of acute incision pain.