Early high-frequency spinal cord stimulation modulates the ROS/p38 MAPK/NF-κB and CXCL10/CXCR3 pathways to alleviate neuropathic pain and promote spinal cord injury repair

This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect of early HF-SCS in a rat model of SCI and its potential molecular mechanism. The SD rat model of T10 spinal cord contusion was established, and stimulation electrodes were implanted epidurally, followed by HF-SCS treatment (movement threshold 40%, frequency 10,000 Hz).

The results showed that HF-SCS significantly attenuated SCI-induced neuropathic pain, facilitated functional recovery, and accelerated axonal regeneration and myelin repair. Further mechanism studies indicated that HF-SCS exerts its neuroprotective effect by down-regulating the ROS/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce microglial activation and decrease the release of pro-inflammatory factors; simultaneously, it inhibits the activation of the CXCL10/CXCR3 axis to alleviate central sensitization.