P3.52. SEX-DEPENDENT DIFFERENCES IN NEUROPATHIC PAIN: INSIGHTS FROM FUNCTIONAL METABOLIC PHENOTYPING AND IMMUNOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS
Magdalena Maciuszek1, Magdalena Białoń1, Justyna Barut2, Marta Kamińska3, Katarzyna Starowicz1, Natalia Małek4, Katarzyna Popiołek-Barczyk1
1 Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurochemistry, Smetna 12 street, Cracow, Poland
2 Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Brain Biochemistry, Smetna 12 street, Cracow, Poland
3 University of Bergen, Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Haukelandsveien 28, Bergen, Norway
4 Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, 27 Wybrzeze Stanislawa Wyspianskiego st., Wroclaw, Poland
INTRODUCTION: Sex is recognized as a significant biological variable in chronic neuropathic pain. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroimmune interactions contribute substantially to sex-related differences in pain mechanisms.
AIM(S): The aim of this study was to identify sex-dependent differences in metabolic and immunological responses in the spinal cord of neuropathic mice.
METHOD(S): Neuropathic pain was induced via chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in male and female mice. Fourteen days post-surgery, animals were monitored in Promethion metabolic cages for 24 hours. Parameters assessed included oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure (EE), and locomotor activity. Spinal cord immunoprofiles were evaluated using the Hyperion Imaging System.
RESULTS: Neuropathic males exhibited a reduced RER compared to naïve controls, while no change was observed in females. Females showed lower EE in both naïve and CCI groups. Furthermore, CCI females displayed decreased sleep time compared to naïve. Locomotor activity remained unchanged across all groups. Preliminary immunological analyses indicated reduced GFAP (astrocyte marker) expression in CCI females, whereas CCI males exhibited increased GFAP levels. IBA1 (microglial marker) levels were elevated in both sexes following CCI.
CONCLUSIONS: These data reveal sex-dependent differences in metabolic and immunological responses in neuropathic mice, emphasizing the necessity for sex-specific approaches in the development of pain therapies.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Work was financed by a grant from the National Science Centre, Poland, SONATA 2019/35/D/NZ7/01042, OPUS 2023/49/B/N27/02172.