The Application of Pulsed Radiofrequency to Dorsal Root Ganglion Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain by Reducing CCL2 Expression in the Early Stage After Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) can be treated effectively using pulsed radiofrequency (PRF). NP development and maintenance involves the essential neurotransmitter chemokine c-c motif ligand 2 (CCL2). The present study aimed to determine whether PRF regulated CCL2 expression in sciatic nerve injury (SNI) model rats. Methods: : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into a sham group, an SNI group, and a PRF group. In the PRF group, L5 dorsal root ganglia received PRF treatment. After paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) was examined, the expression levels of CCL2 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in spinal dorsal horn were determined. Results: : The PWMT in PRF group increased significantly compared with that of the SNI group (P < 0.05). The CCL2 and NF-κB expression levels in the PRF group were significant lower than those in the SNI group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: NP was effectively alleviated by PRF-mediated reductions in CCL2 expression via inhibition of NF-κB activation in the spinal cord of SNI model rats.