Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.
Mol Pain. 2019 Jan-Dec;15:1744806919882511. doi: 10.1177/1744806919882511.
Trigeminal neuralgia commonly results in pain behaviors and cognitive impairment. Convincing evidence suggests that TWIK-related spinal cord K (TRESK) exerts antinociceptive and neuroprotective effects. However, its possible potentials in trigeminal neuralgia remain unclear. Trigeminal neuralgia model was established in rats by generating an infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury, and rats received intrathecal injections of TRESK-overexpressing lentivirus and siRNA expression vector-targeted against TRESK (si-TRESK) into the trigeminal ganglions. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated by mechanical withdrawal threshold. Cognitive capacity was tested using Morris water maze. The TRESK expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results showed that the mRNA and protein levels of TRESK were significantly downregulated in trigeminal ganglions in injured rats. Intrathecal treatment with TRESK reduced mechanical allodynia and relieved learning and memory deficits in trigeminal neuralgia rats, while si-TRESK injection caused neuropathic pain and cognitive deficits. In summary, the present study concluded that TRESK ameliorated pain-associated behaviors and cognitive deficits, which was useful as an alternative approach in management of trigeminal neuralgia.
三叉神经痛通常会导致疼痛行为和认知障碍。有令人信服的证据表明，TWIK 相关的脊髓 K（TRESK）具有镇痛和神经保护作用。然而，其在三叉神经痛中的潜在作用尚不清楚。通过眶下神经慢性缩窄损伤建立大鼠三叉神经痛模型，并向三叉神经节内鞘内注射 TRESK 过表达慢病毒和靶向 TRESK 的 siRNA 表达载体（si-TRESK）。通过机械撤回阈值评估机械性痛觉过敏。使用 Morris 水迷宫测试认知能力。通过实时定量聚合酶链反应和 Western blot 确定 TRESK 的表达。结果表明，损伤大鼠三叉神经节中 TRESK 的 mRNA 和蛋白水平明显下调。鞘内给予 TRESK 可减轻三叉神经痛大鼠的机械性痛觉过敏并缓解学习和记忆障碍，而 si-TRESK 注射则导致神经病理性疼痛和认知障碍。综上所述，本研究得出结论，TRESK 改善了与疼痛相关的行为和认知障碍，可作为三叉神经痛治疗的一种替代方法。
