Inhibition of Adenylyl Cyclase in the Spinal Cord Alleviates Painful Diabetic Neuropathy in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

Abstract Objectives Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that impaired Gi protein expression/function in the spinal cord is associated with the development of painful neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes and that reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase in the spinal cord can alleviate diabetic neuropathy. Methods To this end, we examined the levels of cAMP, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the spinal cord after the development of neuropathic pain in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with type 2 diabetes. We evaluated the effects of intrathecal injections of SQ22536, an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, on mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in rats with painful diabetic neuropathy. Results We found that diabetic ZDF rats exhibited mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, which are associated with enhanced cAMP production, increased PKA activation and elevated CREB phosphorylation in the spinal cord. Additionally, diabetic ZDF rats exhibited attenuated expression of Giα, but not Gsα, in the spinal cord. Furthermore, intrathecal administrations of SQ22536 dose-dependently alleviated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in diabetic ZDF rats and reduced cAMP production, PKA activation and p-CREB expression in the spinal cord. Conclusions Taken together, our study suggested that cAMP-mediated signalling in the spinal cord is likely critical for the development of painful neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes.