Systematic Administration of B Vitamins Alleviates Diabetic Pain and Inhibits Associated Expression of P2X3 and TRPV1 in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Spinal Cord in Rats

Figure 4

Protein expression and immunofluorescent staining of TRPV1 in DRG neurons in painful STZ rats and effects of VBC treatment on TRPV1 expression. (a) Western blot analysis showing expression of TRPV1 in DRGs. Top: representative bands; bottom: data summary. (b) Immunofluorescent staining showing expression of TRPV1. Top: representative staining. Bottom: data summary showing the man fluorescent intensity and TRPV1-positive cells, respectively. (c) Expression and colocalization of TRPV1 with the CGRP- and IB4-positive neurons. Left: representative immunofluorescent staining; right: data summary. (a–c) Tissues were taken on day 28 after vehicle Control, STZ (group STZ) or 4-5 h after VBC treatment (group STZ + VBC). Four DRG samples (each with two DRGs at L4 and L5 from the same rats) from 4 different rats were included in each of the groups (a). To obtain quantitative measurements of TRPV1 immunofluorescence in the DRG, 20 sections from 4 rats (8 DRGs) in each group were photographed at the same exposure settings and analyzed. Numbers of the CGRP- and IB4-positive cells with immunofluorescence stains of TRPV1 were determined by counting 1,000–1,200 cells per group. One-way ANOVA, versus control group; ; versus STZ group.

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