Involvement of phosphorylated caveolin-1 in the dorsal root ganglion in diabetic neuropathic pain and the interventional effect of electroacupuncture

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to observe the changes in phosphorylated caveolin-1 (p-Cav-1) expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and to explore the interventional effect of electroacupuncture on Cav-1. METHODS: In experiment 1, DNP was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight, and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to thermal stimuli were measured at baseline and on days 7, 14, and 21 post-STZ. p-Cav-1-positive cells in L4-L6 DRG were detected by immunofluorescence. In experiment 2, rats were divided into normal, STZ, and STZ+siRNA groups. From days 15-21, cav-1-siRNA or blank liposomes were administered intrathecally. FBG, body weight, and PWL were measured. In experiment 3, rats were divided into normal, STZ, and STZ+electroacupuncture groups. From days 15-21, electroacupuncture (2 Hz, 30 min daily) was applied at ST36 and BL60. The above indicators and p-Cav-1 expression were detected. RESULTS: In experiment 1, compared with the normal group, the DNP group showed increased FBG, decreased body weight (D7-D21), and shortened PWL (D14, D21). The number of p-Cav-1-positive neurons in DRG significantly increased in L4-L5 (D7) and L4-L6 (D14, D21). In experiment 2, after siRNA intervention, the PWL of the STZ + siRNA group was significantly prolonged compared with the DNP group. In experiment 3, after electroacupuncture intervention, the PWL of the STZ + electroacupuncture group was significantly prolonged compared with the DNP group (D21), and the expression of p-Cav-1-positive cells in DRG was significantly decreased compared with the STZ group. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of p-Cav-1 expression in DRG is involved in the development of DNP. Electroacupuncture can effectively alleviate hyperalgesia in DNP rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of p-Cav-1 expression in DRG.