Spinal Glial Activation and Cytokine Expression After Lumbar Root Injury in the Rat

Abstract

Direct mechanical and/or chemical injury to lumbar roots in the rat gives rise to pain behavior suggestive of lumbar radiculopathy. The finding that glial activation and enhanced IL-1beta expression are observed in the spinal cord after root injury supports a central, neuroimmune component in the generation of lumbar radiculopathy. A further understanding of the immunologic consequences of root injury may lead to further development and the novel use of selective cytokine-inflammatory inhibitors for the treatment of low back pain associated with radiculopathy.