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Updated: Aug 11, 2025
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An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain PPOP
Published on: January 27, 2010
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Hydrogen attenuates postoperative pain through Trx1/ASK1/MMP9 signaling pathway
Juan Li1,2,3, Shirong Ruan4, Jinhui Jia5
1Department of Anesthesiology, BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210019, Jiangsu, China.
Journal of Neuroinflammation
|February 4, 2023
Summary
Hydrogen (H2) alleviates postoperative pain by reducing neuroinflammation via the Trx1/ASK1/MMP9 pathway. This study identifies MMP-9 and ASK1 as potential therapeutic targets for pain relief.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Postoperative pain presents a significant clinical challenge with incompletely understood mechanisms and limited effective treatments.
- Hydrogen (H2) exhibits anti-neuroinflammatory properties, suggesting its potential therapeutic role in pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of hydrogen (H2) in alleviating postoperative pain.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, focusing on the Trx1/ASK1/MMP9 signaling pathway.
Main Methods:
- A postoperative pain model was established in mice using plantar incision surgery.
- Mechanical allodynia was assessed via the von Frey test.
- Cellular signaling pathways were analyzed using techniques including western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and gelatin zymography.
Main Results:
- Plantar incision surgery elevated MMP-9 activity and ASK1 phosphorylation in the spinal cord.
- Hydrogen (H2) treatment reduced pain, decreased ASK1, p38, and JNK phosphorylation, and lowered MMP-9 activity.
- The protective effects of H2 were mediated through the Trx1 pathway and abolished by Trx1 inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates that hydrogen (H2) can effectively alleviate postoperative pain.
- The therapeutic effect of H2 is attributed to its modulation of the Trx1/ASK1/MMP9 signaling pathway.
- MMP-9 and ASK1 are identified as potential molecular targets for the relief of postoperative pain.
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