Electroacupuncture alleviates central post-stroke pain in rats by modulating miR-21-5p/TGF-β/Smads pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) poses a persistent challenge with limited responses to current pharmacological interventions. Recent evidence implicates miR-21 and its downstream TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in pain pathophysiology. This study investigates whether the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) is related to miR-21/TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in CPSP.

Methods

CPSP was induced in rats by collagenase-IV injection into the right thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus to produce a focal hemorrhagic stroke lesion. miR-21-5p and Smad7 expressions were manipulated by adenoviral transfection. Pain thresholds were assessed during 15 days after CPSP induction, followed by brain tissue analysis using nissl staining, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemist

SUBMITTER: Tian G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12825287 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature