Effect of Paroxetine on the Neuropathic Pain: A Molecular Study

Background: Neuropathic pain due to damage to the peripheral nerve has influenced millions of people living all over the world. It has been shown that paroxetine can relieve neuropathic pain. Recently, the role of some proteins like BDNF, GABAA receptor, and KCC2 transporter in the occurrence of neuropathic pain has been documented. In the current study, the expression of these proteins affected by paroxetine was evaluated. Methods: Male Wistar rats were allocated into two main groups ofpre- and post-injury. Rats in each main group received paroxetine before nerve injury and at day seven after nerve damage till day 14, respectively. The lumbar spinal cord of animals was extracted to assess the expression of target genes and proteins. Results: In the preventive study, paroxetine decreased BDNF and increased KCC2 and GABAA gene and protein expression, while in the post-injury paradigm, it decreased BDNF and increased KCC2 genes and protein expression. In this regard, an increase in the protein expression of GABAA was observed. Conclusion: It seems that paroxetine with a change in the expression of three significant proteins involved in neuropathic pain could attenuate this type of chronic pain.