Objective To evaluate the effect of doxepin on the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain (NP).Methods Sixty clean-grade male Wistar rats in which intrathecal catheters were successfully implanted,weighing 200-250 g,were divided into 3 groups (n =20 each) by a random number table method:sham operation group (S group),NP group and doxepin group (D group).NP was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) to sciatic nerve.Doxepin 20 mmol/L (10 μl) was intrathecally injected at 3,7,14 and 21 days after CCI (T1-4) in group D.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before CCI (T0) and at T1-4.The rats were sacrificed after measurement of pain threshold at T4,and L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of p38MAPK protein by Western blot.Results Compared with S group,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened at T2-4,and the expression of p38MAPK protein was up-regulated in NP and D groups (P＜0.05).Compared with NP group,MWT was significantly increased and TWL was prolonged at T2-4,and the expression of p38MAPK protein was down-regulated in D group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which doxepin mitigates NP is related to down-regulating p38MAPK expression in the spinal cord of rats.

Objective To explore the clinical curative effect of theTaohong-Siwu decoction combined with manipulation in the treatment of the acute phase of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and its effect on serum inflammatory factors.Methods According to the random number table method, 102 patients with the acute phase of LDH were divided into control group and research group from May 2014 to September 2016, 51 cases in each group. Patients in control group were treated by traction and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for a month, while patients in research group were treated by manipulation combined withTaohong-Siwu decoction for a month. After treatment, the overall efficacy was observed. The Visual analogous scale (VAS) and JOA scores were recorded before and after the treatment. The IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels of inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The total effective rate of patients in research roup was significantly higher than that of the control group [90.20％ (46/51)vs. 43.14％ (22/51),χ2=19.329, P=0.006]. After treatment, the VAS scores of patients in both groups were significantly decreased, and JOA score increased markedly, which the differences were statistically significant (Ps<0.05). After treatment, the VAS score of research group was significantly lower than the control group (4.26 ± 0.56vs. 5.13 ± 0.87;t=4.843, P=0.027), and JOA score was significantly higher than the control group (18.42 ± 3.92vs.17.33 ± 4.21;t=5.127, P=0.022). After treatment, the IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels of of patients in the research group were significantly lower than those of the control group (0.57 ± 0.11μg/Lvs. 0.90 ± 0.13μg/L, 112.26 ± 15.17μg/Lvs. 130.38 ± 18.29μg/L, 2.01 ± 0.34μg/Lvs. 2.37 ± 0.51μg/L;t=5.429, 6.317, 5.011,P<0.05). ConclusionsThe Taohong-Siwu decoction combined with manipulation on treatment of the acute phase of LDH was effective. The combined therapy can improve the VAS score and JOA score, and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines.