CHANGES IN THE ALPHA(2)-ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR SUBTYPES GENE-EXPRESSION IN RAT DORSAL-ROOT GANGLION IN AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL OF NEUROPATHIC PAIN

We examined changes in expression of genes coding for alpha(2)-AR subt ypes in the dorsal root gan on (DRG) in rat model (spinal nerve ligati on) neuropathic pain. The present study demonstrates that the majority of DRG neurons express alpha(2)C-AR mRNA and a small proportion of ne urons express alpha(2)A-AR mRNA, while neurons express alpha(2)B-AR mR NA in non-operated animals. In addition, alpha(2)C- and alpha(2)A mRNA levels in the DRG showed a significant decrease and increase, respect ively in ligated animals. These findings suggest that alpha(2)A- and a lpha(2)C-ARs in the DRG may play an important role in generating sympa thetically maintained neuropathic pain.