目的：了解骨关节炎大鼠丘脑腹后外侧核（VPL）痛敏神经元（PSN）放电频率变化规律及其与运动评分、站立评分、关节曲升评分和软骨厚度之间的相关性，探讨VPL PSN放电频率变化规律在关节炎疼痛评估中的作用及价值。方法采用高浓度弗氏佐剂制备单发弗氏佐剂关节炎动物模型，分别于3、4、6、8、12周随机选择6只行功能评分后采用MRI扫描关节软骨厚度，并监测大鼠VPL内PSN放电频率变化规律。结果骨关节炎大鼠随造模时间延长软骨逐渐变薄；运动评分、站立评分随时间延长逐渐降低，关节曲升评分则逐渐升高，而VPL内PSN的放电频率则随造模时间延长逐渐升高，6周时达高峰（81±5）Hz，随后逐渐降低，12周时降低为（39±4）Hz。经相关分析显示VPL内PSN的放电频率与运动评分、站立评分呈负相关，与关节曲升评分呈正相关，而与软骨厚度无明确相关性。结论 VPL内PSN放电频率变化规律可以在一定程度上反映骨关节炎疼痛程度，未来有望可以作为骨关节炎疼痛评估的重要指标。%Objective To analyze the correlations between the changing pattern of discharge frequency of pain sensitive neuron (PSN) in ventral posteriolateral (VPL) thalamic nucleus and motor-, standing-, joint flexion-scores and cartilage thickness, aiming to investigate the effects and values of the changing pattern of VPL PSN discharge frequen-cy in evaluating the pain severity of osteoarthritis. Methods High concentration Freund′s adjuvant was utilized for the preparation of animal models with simple Freund′s adjuvant arthritis. Six animals were randomly selected for func-tion grading test and subsequent MRI scan of articular cartilage thickness. The changing pattern of PSN discharge frequency within VPL in weeks 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 were monitored, respectively. Results In the rats with osteoarthri-tis, the cartilage thickness gradually decreased, the motor and standing scores lowered, the joint flexion score elevated and the PSN discharge frequency in VPL enhanced, along with the time to model establishment. The PSN discharge frequency peaked in week 6 [(81±5) Hz], and then declined to (39±4) Hz in week 12. According to correlation analy-sis, the PSN discharge frequency within VPL was negatively correlated with motor and standing scores, and positively correlated with joint flexion score, but was not correlated with cartilage thickness. Conclusion The changing pattern of PSN discharge frequency in VPL may somehow reflect the level of pain in osteoarthritis, and therefore can be promising as a significant index for pain evaluation in patients with osteoarthritis.
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