Effects of stellate ganglion block on inflammation and autophagy of spinal cord neurons in rats with neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

• DOI: 10.62347/qevd3665
• Publication Date: 2025-04-29T08:12:41Z
• Authors: Yuanxin Huang
• Keywords: Stellate ganglion; Dorsal root ganglion

To assess the therapeutic effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats, and to explore its potential mechanisms alleviating pain, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for clinical treatment. A rat model SCI was established, animals were randomly assigned one three groups: sham surgery group (Sham), (SCI), or treated with SGB (SCI + SGB). Motor function assessed using Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, while thermal hyperalgesia evaluated hot plate test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilized measure levels inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), within cord. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining performed observe histopathology. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) used detect apoptotic cells, transmission electron microscopy employed visualize autophagosomes. Expression autophagy-related proteins LC3-II/LC3-I p62 examined via Western blotting. Compared group, rats displayed impaired hind limb motor function, decreased thresholds, elevated cytokine levels, significant pathology, increased apoptosis, altered expression protein, disrupted autophagic flux. In contrast, treatment improved alleviated reduced cytokines mitigated enhanced autophagy Stellate alleviates SCI-induced by reducing pro-inflammatory mitigating apoptosis injury, promoting autophagy, restoring flux