Abstract:Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of PGC-1α-regulated mitochondrial biogenesis on bone cancer pain with concurrent mirror-image pain. Methods: In the first part of the experiment, the animals were divided into 2 groups, sham group and BCP group. In the second part of the experiment, the animals were divided into 3 groups, sham+vehicle (sham) group, BCP+vehicle (vehicle) group, BCP+ZLN005 (ZLN) group. MRMT-1 breast cancer cells were injected into the medullary cavity of the left tibia to establish BCP rat model, and sham group rats were injected with equal volume of Hank's balanced salt solution. In the second part of the experiment, rats in the ZLN group were injected intrathecally with ZLN005 (PGC-1α activator, single single dose of 100μg/30μL), and the sham group and vehicle group rats were injected with an equal volume of vehicle. The levels of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam were analysed in the spinal cord of the rats by western blot. And mtDNA copy number expression was analysed by qPCR. The localisation of PGC-1α was analysed by immunofluorescence. Results: Mechanical hyperalgesia was induced in the bilateral hind paws of rats by intra-bone marrow injection of cancer cells. ZLN005 intrathecally attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia in BCP rats. In the spinal cord of BCP rats, a decreased in levels of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam and mtDNA copy number were observed. The expression of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam and mtDNA copy numbe was elevated after administration with ZLN005. The distribution of PGC-1α was demonstrated in the spinal dorsal horn on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. The fluorescence intensity of PGC-1α was declined in BCP rats. PGC-1α was mainly co-located with neurons. Conclusions: In the spinal cord, damage to mitochondrial biogenesis facilitated the development of bone cancer pain concomitant with mirror-image pain. PGC-1α activation can alleviate bone cancer pain with concurrent mirror-image pain by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.