Figure 3
Protein expressions of Nav1.3, Nav1.8, and Nav1.7 in left L5 DRG by western blot analyses. Quantification of Nav levels at each time point for each group was normalized against the Nav levels of the sham group. SNL (group L) induced up-regulation of Nav1.3 (A) and down-regulated Nav1.8 (B) for 28 days. Treatment with amitriptyline intra-peritoneally (group A) did not have a significant effect on SNL-induced up-regulation of Nav1.3. Pretreatment with intrathecal amitriptyline together with post-injury treatment with the same compound intra-peritoneally (group P) decreased SNL-induced up-regulation of Nav1.3 for 2 weeks (A). Significant inhibition of SNL-induced down-regulated Nav1.8 was found in groups A and P; the effect lasting for 2 and 3 weeks, respectively (B). Furthermore, both amitriptyline regimens reversed the SNL-induced down-regulation of Nav1.7 on POD4 (C). Data represent mean ± SE. One way ANOVA (n = 24/group, 4-5/each time point). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ☆:p < 0.001,NS: not significant. POD: postoperative day; S: Sham; L: Ligation followed by vehicle treatment; A: ligation and treatment with amitriptyline intra-peritoneally (Abdomen) post-injury; P: Pretreatment with intrathecal amitriptyline, ligation and intra-peritoneal amitriptyline post-injury.