Effects and Mechanism of Epidural Administration of Triamcinolone Acetonide on Nerve Root Inflammation and Epidural Space Adhesion in Rabbits

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of triamcinolone acetonide on nerve root inflammation and epidural adhesion in rabbits. The experiment involved 30 male New Zealand white rabbits, which were divided into three groups: Model, Dexamethasone, and Triamcinolone. After establishing the rabbit model of nerve root inflammation and epidural adhesion, dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide were injected through the epidural catheter. The results showed that triamcinolone acetonide significantly reduced nerve root inflammation, epidural adhesion, and nerve root pain. It also decreased the mRNA expression levels of NF-KB, TLR9, IL-6, and TNF-α in spinal cord tissue and spinal nerve roots. Compared with the dexamethasone group, the triamcinolone group had a lower Rydell-Balaz score, indicating less epidural adhesion. The Paw Withdraw Threshold and Paw Withdraw Latency decreased significantly in the triamcinolone group compared to the model group, and there was no obvious nerve root inflammatory reaction in the triamcinolone group. Therefore, epidural triamcinolone acetonide injection may be an effective treatment to reduce nerve root inflammation, epidural adhesion, and nerve root pain by inhibiting the NF-KB/TLR9-mediated inflammatory response.