Stem Cells in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: Research Progress of Mechanism
Table 1
Mechanisms of neuropathic pain.
Peripheral mechanisms Peripheral sensitization Cascade release of inflammatory mediators and nociceptive sensitivity Dorsal root ganglion and damaged nerve fibers produce ectopic discharges Expression of ion channels Multiple sodium and calcium channels’ expression was increased/decreased and the stimulation threshold decreased Phenotypic switch The phenotype of nerve fibers changed and the neuromodulator of C fibers increased Sensory denervation and the sprouting of collateral nerve fibers Sympathetic maintained pain Sensory neurons were sensitized and release of norepinephrine increased
Spinal mechanisms Central sensitization Bone marrow excitatory glutamate receptor is activated, which increases the excitability of neurons, and C fibers are repeatedly activated Glial cell activation Activation of glial cells increased the release of proinflammatory factors
Supraspinal mechanisms Pain signal transduction changes Neurotransmitter metabolism changes
Central disinhibition Restrain current loss Apoptosis of inhibitory intermediate neurons in the spinal cord Regulation of descending inhibition