Inhibition of sigma-1 receptor reduces DRG cell apoptosis of rats with neuropathic pain

Objective To investigate the effect of sigma-1 receptor (sig-1R) inhibition on apoptosis in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI)-mediated neuropathic pain. Methods Rats undergoing intrathecal intubation were randomly divided into three groups with 12 in each: sham group, model group (CCI modeling one week after intrathecal intubation) and sig-1R inhibitor group (BD1047 group) that was injected intrathecally on the fourth, fifth, and sixth days after the CCI operation. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of rats was detected on the day before surgery and then first, third, fifth and seventh days after surgery. The expression of sig-1R, Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence in DRG cell; TUNEL staining microscopy was used to observe the apoptosis of DRG cells. The changes of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy of DRG cells. Results Compared with the sham group, the model g