Changes of COX-2 expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord during formalin-induced inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia in rats.

Author: Shu-qin LI ¹ ; Wen-bin LI ; Xiao-cai SUN ; Qing-jun LI ; Xiao-ling CHEN ; Jie AI
Author Information

1. Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Shijiazhuang 050017, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Animals; Cyclooxygenase 2; metabolism; Formaldehyde; adverse effects; Pain; chemically induced; metabolism; Posterior Horn Cells; metabolism; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Cord; metabolism
From: Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology 2004;20(3):296-299
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract:
AIMTo observe the changes of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and especially the time course of the changes in dorsal horn of the spinal cord during formalin-induced inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia in rats.
METHODSCOX-2 immunohistochemistry staining was used in rat formalin pain model.
RESULTSCompared with control group the number and immunostaining density of COX-2 immunoreactive cells in the laminae I-VI of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord increased significantly 4 h, 1 d and 3 d after formalin injection (P < 0.05). The most obvious increase was observed 1 d after the injection.
CONCLUSIONCOX-2 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord is involved in the formalin-induced inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia.