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We conclude that Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761, attenuates mechanical and cold allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain, and it may be useful for the management of neuropathic pain.

DRG2, a member of the DRG subfamily in the GTP-binding protein superfamily, was identified as a repressed gene product in fibroblasts transformed by SV40. The significance of this down-regulation and the cellular role of DRG2 has not been understood in the past. To investigate the function of DRG2 we made a Jurkat cell line, Jurkat-LNCX2-DRG2, stably transfected with pLNCX2-DRG2 to overexpress human DRG2. Cell cycle distribution analysis revealed an increased accumulation of G(2)/M phase cells in Jurkat-LNCX2-DRG2 cells, indicating a retardation of cell-cycle progression. In addition, an overexpression of DRG2 reduced the sensitivity of Jurkat cells to the mitotic poison nocodazole. Our data suggest that overexpression of DRG2 in Jurkat cells affects genes regulating cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, and that these molecular changes may be important in the growth or differentiation of cells.

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Transforaminal epidural injection is used to treat radicular pain. However, there is no objective method of assessing pain relief following transforaminal injection. Perfusion index is a metric for monitoring peripheral perfusion status. This study evaluates the correlation between perfusion index change and analgesic efficacy in transforaminal blocks for lumbosacral radicular pain. We retrospectively analyzed data of 100 patients receiving transforaminal block for lumbosacral radicular pain. We assessed perfusion index before treatment and at 5, 15, and 30 min following the block. We defined responders (group R) and non-responders (group N) as those with ≥50% and <50% pain reduction, respectively, 30 min following block. Clinical data and perfusion index of the groups were analyzed. Ninety-two patients were examined, of whom 57 (61.9%) and 35 (38.0%) patients reported ≥50% and <50% pain reduction, respectively. Group R had a significantly higher perfusion index change ratio 5 min following the block (p = 0.029). A perfusion index change ratio of ≥0.27 was observed in group R (sensitivity, 75.4%; specificity, 51.4%; AUC (area under the curve), 0.636; p = 0.032). A perfusion index change ratio of ≥0.27 at 5 min after block is associated with, but does not predict improvement in, pain levels following lumbosacral transforaminal block.

The presence of congenitally impaired skin barrier followed by atopic dermatitis (AD) is an initial step in the atopic march. The maintenance of acidic pH in the stratum corneum (SC) has been suggested as a therapeutic or preventive strategy for barrier impairment caused by skin inflammation. To determine whether an AD murine model, flaky tail mice, with inherited filaggrin deficiency could develop airway inflammation by repeated topical application followed by nasal inhalation of house dust mite (HDM) antigen (defined as a novel "atopic march animal model"), and whether maintenance of an acidic SC environment by continuous application of acidic cream could interrupt the following atopic march. During the course of HDM treatment, acidic cream (pH2.8) or neutral cream (pH7.4) was applied to flaky tail mice twice daily. Repeated applications and inhalations of HDM to flaky tail mice induced AD skin lesions followed by respiratory allergies. Maintenance of SC acidity inhibited the occurrence of respiratory allergic inflammation as well as AD-like skin lesions. Collectively, a novel atopic march model could be developed by repeated epicutaneous and nasal applications of HDM to flaky tail mice, and that the acidification of SC could prevent the atopic march from AD to respiratory allergy.

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