Elucidation of the mechanism of neuropathic pain using HIV-related neuropathy model rats and its application to treatment

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18258
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Sato Izumi 旭川医科大学, 大学病院, 医員 (70624196)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: HIV関連神経障害性疼痛 / 漢方薬 / GAD67

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to confirm the effectiveness of Kampo medicine for HIV-related neuropathic pain, we fed the diet with Goshajinkigan(GJG) or the normal diet to the HIV-related neuropathic pain model rat prepared by exposing the sciatic nerve to the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 from the day of surgery. The pain threshold, evaluated by the behavior test, was significantly improved in the GJG-treated group.
In addition, on postoperative day 14, the spinal cord of the model rat was removed, and the expression level of glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord was examined using Western blotting, the expression of GAD67 in the GJG treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group.

Free Research Field

麻酔科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、動物行動学試験により牛車腎気丸がHIV関連神経障害に有効である可能性が示唆された。また、Western blottingの結果より、牛車腎気丸を投与することで、gp120によりダウンレギュレートされた脊髄後角におけるGAD67の発現が回復することが、HIV誘発性アロディニアを緩和することに関与していることが示唆された。このことは、HIV関連神経障害性疼痛のみならず様々な神経障害性疼痛の機序を解明する糸口となり、有効な治療法の開発につながる可能性がある。