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

---