Leptin-mediated inflammation and pain pathway following rotator cuff tear

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16716
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: Tazawa Ryo 北里大学, 医学部, 助教 (30749883)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: レプチン / 腱板断裂

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate the dynamics of leptin and its involvement in pain associated with rotator cuff tears. Using aging and high-fat diet (HFD) rat models, we investigated the expression dynamics of leptin in rotator cuff tissue. In aging rats, leptin expression peaked in middle age and remained elevated in old age. In HFD rats, while serum leptin levels increased, there was no significant difference in leptin expression in the rotator cuff tissue between the HFD and normal diet (ND) groups. However, RNA analysis revealed the activation of the adipocytokine signaling pathway. In the rotator cuff tear model, leptin and Netrin-1 (Ntn1) expression significantly increased on day 14 post-tear. These results suggest that leptin may be involved in pain through the mediation of Ntn1. Thus, targeting leptin and Ntn1 could lead to the development of new pain relief treatments.

Free Research Field

整形外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、腱板断裂後の疼痛メカニズムにおけるレプチンの役割を明らかにし、その結果として新たな疼痛緩和治療法の開発に寄与する可能性を示した点で学術的意義がある。特に、レプチンとNetrin-1の発現動態の関連性を明らかにしたことで、疼痛メカニズムの理解が深化し、将来的な研究における新たな標的が明らかになった。社会的意義としては、超高齢社会において増加する腱板断裂患者の生活の質向上に貢献できる点が挙げられる。本研究の成果を基に、新しい治療法が開発されれば、肩痛に苦しむ多くの患者に対する効果的な治療手段が提供され、医療費の削減や労働力の維持・向上にも寄与することが期待される。