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Spinal lncRNA_RT1-CE10 attenuates chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome via inhibiting microglial activation

LIU Zi-Han^1,2, LIU Yi-Qian², ZHANG Qian-Li², LIN Chun², HUANG Yang^2,*

¹College of Medicine, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan 467000, China；²Institute of Pain Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)_RT1-CE10 and its molecular mechanisms in chronic visceral pain of rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to colorectal distention (CRD) stimulation at a pressure of 60 mmHg for 1 min from 8 to 14 days after birth. The visceral hypersensitivity was assessed by measuring electromyographic (EMG) responses of external oblique muscle to CRD at 40 mmHg and 60 mmHg when the rats were 6 weeks old. The expression of lncRNA_RT1-CE10, Iba-1 and MHCII in the spinal cord was detected by RT-qPCR or Western blot. After intrathecal injection of minocycline (an inhibitor of microglia), the expression of Iba-1, MHCII and the visceral hypersensitivity were determined by Western blot and EMG, respectively. After intrathecal injection of AAV-lncRT1-CE10 and AAVshlncRT1- CE10, the expression of Iba-1 and MHCII was examined by Western blot, respectively. The results showed that the expression of lncRNA_RT1-CE10 was decreased in the spinal cord of IBS rats, while the expression of Iba-1 and MHCII was increased. Inhibition of microglial activation by minocycline attenuated visceral hypersensitivity in IBS rats. Over-expression of lncRNA_RT1- CE10 decreased the Iba-1 and MHCⅡ levels in IBS rats, while knockdown of lncRNA_RT1-CE10 increased the Iba-1 and MHCⅡ levels in control rats. Collectively, these results demonstrate that lncRNA_RT1-CE10 attenuates visceral hypersensitivity by inhibiting microglial activation in IBS rats.

Key words: irritable bowel syndrome; lncRNA; microglia; hyperalgesia; spinal cord

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 黄扬　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2026.0002

Citing This Article：

LIU Zi-Han, LIU Yi-Qian, ZHANG Qian-Li, LIN Chun, HUANG Yang. Spinal lncRNA_RT1-CE10 attenuates chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome via inhibiting microglial activation. Acta Physiol Sin 2026; 78 (1): 246-252 (in Chinese with English abstract).