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Melatonin inhibits the up-regulation of N-type calcium channel in neuropathic pain by activating the MT2 receptor in rats
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  • JUN-JIE TIAN,
  • YING-YING ZHANG,
  • ZHAO-YANG TAN,
  • NAN CAO,
  • ZU-WEI QU,
  • XUE-ER YANG,
  • LI-CANG ZHU,
  • KE-TAO MA,
  • Li LI,
  • JUN-QIANG SI
JUN-JIE TIAN
Shihezi University School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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YING-YING ZHANG
Shihezi University School of Medicine
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ZHAO-YANG TAN
Shihezi University School of Medicine
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NAN CAO
Shihezi University School of Medicine
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ZU-WEI QU
Shihezi University
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XUE-ER YANG
Shihezi University School of Medicine
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LI-CANG ZHU
NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases (First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University)
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KE-TAO MA
Shihezi University School of Medicine
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Li LI
Medical School of Jiaxing College
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JUN-QIANG SI
Shihezi University School of Medicine
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Abstract

The aim of the study was to clarify the effect of melatonin on neuropathic pain by N-type calcium channel (Cav2.2) inhibition in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after spared nerve injury (SNI) surgery. Immunofluorescence was used to identify the co-expression of Cav2.2 and the MT2 receptor and detect the changes in Cav2.2 expression in DRG neurons. Western-blot was also performed to detect the expression of Cav2.2 in DRG neurons. The action potential and current of Cav2.2 channels in DRG neurons were detected using whole-cell patch clamp analysis. Behavioral studies were conducted using thermal stimulation and acetone after melatonin was injected intraperitoneally. The results revealed that Cav2.2 and the MT2 receptor were co-expressed in medium and small sized DRG neurons, and the intensity of Cav2.2 increased after SNI. Injection of melatonin activated the MT2 receptor and relieved nociceptive pain through decreased the Cav2.2 expression and current in DRG neurons. Melatonin can significantly decrease the increase in Cav2.2 current density and excitability after SNI. In addition, the Cav2.2 activation curve shifted to the left after SNI, but there was no change in inactivation. 10 μM melatonin significantly inhibited the excitability of DRG neurons and Cav2.2 current, the inactivation curve of Cav2.2 current shifted significantly to the left. However, the MT2 receptor antagonist 4-P-PDOT reversed the inhibition of melatonin on Cav2.2 current. We conclude that melatonin inhibits the increased Cav2.2 expression and current; on the other hand, it reduces the excitability of DRG neurons after SNI surgery via the MT2 receptor pathway.