Chiropractic Therapy Alleviates Pain Hypersensitivity via the Mast Cell Receptor TRPV1 in PD Model Rats

Abstract

Objective:

This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of chiropractic therapy in a rat model of cold-stimulated primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and explored the mechanism through which it modulates the expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in mast cells (MCs) to ameliorate pain sensitization.

Methods:

Five groups of rats were used: blank, model, chiropractic, sodium cromoglicate (SCG) + chiropractic, and ibuprofen. Following chiropractic intervention, behavioral responses were observed; serum levels of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were measured via ELISA; uterine mast cell (MC) expression was detected by toluidine blue staining; and Western blotting and RT–qPCR were employed to quantify TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression, respectively, in the uterus, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and periaqueductal gray (PAG).

Results:

Compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a shortened writhing latency (P < 0.01). Serum PGF2α, COX-2, and AVP levels were significantly elevated, while PGE2 levels were reduced (P < 0.01). Uterine MC counts and degranulation increased (P < 0.01), and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression in the uterus, DRG, and PAG increased (P < 0.01). After chiropractic treatment, writhing latency increased (P < 0.01). Serum PGF2α, COX-2, and AVP levels decreased, whereas PGE2 levels increased (P < 0.01). Uterine MC counts and degranulation decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression in the uterus, DRG, and PAG decreased (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Chiropractic therapy alleviates pain hypersensitivity in cold-stimulated PD model rats, potentially by modulating uterine MC activation and subsequently downregulating TRPV1 expression in the uterus, DRG, and PAG.

Keywords

primary dysmenorrhea chiropractic therapy mast cells TRPV1 pain hypersensitivity

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