Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026

The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
BDNF/TRK/KCC2 pathway in nicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia
Wenhui Shi1, Yonghong Ding1, Ailan Yu2
1Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P. R. China.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) on potassium chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) in rats following nicotine withdrawal and the roles played by BDNF/Trk/KCC2 pathway in nicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia.
Methods:
Seventy-eight rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control group (n = 12) without any treatment, normal saline group (NS group, n = 12) and nicotine withdrawal group (NW group, n = 30) receiving a subcutaneous injection of saline or nicotine for 7 days, respectively. The NW + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (n = 12) and NW+ Trk antagonist K252a groups (n = 12) received an intrathecal injection of DMSO (10 μl) and K252a (10 μg/10 μl) for 3 days after nicotine withdrawal, respectively. Nicotine withdrawal was precipitated by subcutaneous injection of nonselective and noncompetitive antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mecamylamine. Pain was tested using thermal withdrawal latency (TWL). A Western blot was used to examine the expression of BDNF and KCC2.
Results:
The TWL was significantly decreased in NW group relative to control and NS groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the NW group, the NW+K252a group manifested a significantly higher latency (P < 0.01). The BDNF expression was increased and KCC2 was decreased in NW group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). K252a reduced KCC2 downregulation.
Conclusion:
BDNF/Trk signaling may contribute to nicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia via downregulation of KCC2.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Nociception
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...

