Zeng Xu, Bo Hu, Genjiang Zheng, Wei Yu, Chen Yang, Hui Wang, Keyi Chen, Shatong He, Lei Liang, Chen Xu, Xiaodong Wu, Fazhi Zang, Wei-En Yuan, Huajiang Chen
Epidural fibrosis (EF), associated with various biological factors, is still a major troublesome clinical problem after laminectomy. In the present study, we initially demonstrate that sensory nerves can attenuate fibrogenic progression in EF animal models via the secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), suggesting a new potential therapeutic target. Further studies showed that CGRP could inhibit the reprograming activation of fibroblasts through PI3K/AKT signal pathway. We subsequently identified metformin (MET), the most widely prescribed medication for obesity-associated type 2 diabetes, as a potent stimulator of sensory neurons to release more CGRP via activating CREB signal way...
February 8, 2024: Journal of Controlled Release