Cytokine mRNA expression in painful radiculopathy.

UNLABELLED: Inflammatory cytokines contribute to lumbar radiculopathy. Regulation of cytokines for transient cervical injuries, with or without longer-lasting inflammation, remains to be defined. The C7 root in the rat underwent compression (10gf), chromic gut suture exposure (chr), or their combination (10gf+chr). Ipsilateral C7 spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were harvested at 1 hour after injury for real-time PCR analysis of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Cytokine mRNA increased after all 3 injuries. TNF-alpha mRNA in the DRG was significantly increased over sham after 10gf+chr (P = .026). Spinal IL-1beta was significantly increased over sham after 10gf and 10gf+chr (P < .024); IL-6 was significantly increased after 10gf+chr (P < .024). In separate studies, the soluble TNF-alpha receptor was administered at injury and again at 6 hours in all injury paradigms. Allodynia was assessed and tissue samples were harvested for cytokine PCR. Allodynia significantly decreased with receptor administration for 10gf and 10gf+chr (P < .005). Treatment also significantly decreased IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA in the DRG for 10gf+chr (P < .028) at day 1. Results indicate an acute, robust cytokine response in cervical nerve root injury with varying patterns, dependent on injury type, and that early increases in TNF-alpha mRNA in the DRG may drive pain-related signaling for transient cervical injuries. PERSPECTIVE: Inflammatory cytokine mRNA in the DRG and spinal cord are defined after painful cervical nerve root injury. Studies describe a role for TNF-alpha in mediating behavioral sensitivity and inflammatory cytokines in transient painful radiculopathy. Results outline an early response of inflammatory cytokine upregulation in cervical pain.