Abstract:Objective To compare the effects of percutaneous intervertebral foramen injection of doxorubicin and pegylated liposomes doxorubicin on the behavior of hind limbs in adult rats, and to explore the analgesic effect of doxorubicin liposomes on dorsal root ganglion. Methods 52 healthy male SD rats, weighing 200-250 g, aged 3 months, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=13): normal saline group (Vehicle Group), stealth liposome group (Liposome group), 0.2% doxorubicin group (DOX group) and 0.2% pegylated liposomes doxorubicin group (PLD group). According to the different groups, normal saline, stealth liposome, doxorubicin and pegylated liposomes doxorubicin 10ul were injected respectively into the intervertebral foramen of the left L4/5 and L5/6 of rats by percutaneous intervertebral foramen injection. Three days after administration, 1 rat in DOX group and PLD group was randomly selected for 4% polymethylaldehyde perfusion and frozen section. The spontaneous fluorescence of doxorubicin was observed by fluorescence microscope. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) of rats were measured before and after administration at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, and the movement of hind limbs of rats after administration was also observed. Results Fluorescence microscope showed that a large number of orange doxorubicin autofluorescence distribution could be seen in the DRG on the injection side of DOX group and PLD group, no autofluorescence distribution could be seen on the contralateral DRG. Compared with vehicle group, there was no significant difference in PWMT and PWTL values at each time point after administration in liposome group (P>0.05); Compared with vehicle group and liposome group, PWMT value in DOX group decreased within 1 week after administration, while that within 2 weeks in PLD group after administration, and there were no significant difference compared with the basic value (P >0.05); then, the PWMT showed a gradual upward trend, and the increase was most obvious at 28 days after administration (P <0.05); PWTL value of DOX group and PLD group decreased one day after administration, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the basic value (P <0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the other time points (P >0.05). The hind limb movement of all rats was normal after administration. Conclusion Percutaneous injection of pegylated liposomes doxorubicin into intervertebral foramen can produce similar analgesia effect to doxorubicin, and does not affect the motor function of hind limbs.