Role of talin in activation of astrocytes in spinal cord of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain

Objective To evaluate the role of talin in activation of astrocytes in the spinal cord of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP). Methods Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, weighing 180-200 g, were assigned into 3 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), group DNP and siRNA group (group siR). Rat DNP model was established by injecting streptozotocin (STZ). Group siR received intraspinal injection of siRNA silence stalin at 3 days before injecting STZ, and the equal volume of blank plasmid was given instead in C and DNP groups.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured at 29-35 days after injection of STZ, the rats were then sacrificed and the lumbar spinal cords were removed for determination of the expression of integrin β1 (by Western blot), activation of astrocytes (by immunofluorescence) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased at each time point after surgery, the expression of integrin β1 was up-regulated, and the rate of activated astrocytes and contents of TNF-α and IL-1 were increased in group DNP (P<0.05). Compared with group DNP, the MWT was significantly increased at each time point after surgery, the expression of integrin β1 was down-regulated, and the rate of activated astrocytes and contents of TNF-α and IL-1 were decreased in group siR (P<0.05). Conclusion Talin is involved in activation of astrocytes in the spinal cord of rats with DNP. Key words: Cytoskeleton; Diabetic neuropathies; Spind cord; Neuroglia