Changes in median eminence of fatty acid–binding protein 3 in a mouse model of pain

AIMS: Fatty acid–binding protein (FABP) regulates polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intracellular trafficking and signal transduction. Our previous studies demonstrated that the alteration of PUFA in the hypothalamus is involved in pain process. However, how FABP subtypes change during pain remain unclear. Here, we examined the expression changes and localization in the hypothalamic FABP subtype in postoperative pain model mice. METHODS: Paw incision–induced postoperative methods were adopted as a pain model in male ddY mice. Mechanical allodynia was examined using the von Frey test. The analysis of several FABPs mRNA was measured by real‐time PCR, and cellular localization of its protein level was measured by immunofluorescent study. RESULTS: Postoperative pain mouse elicited mechanical allodynia on Day 2 after paw incision, and mRNA expression of FABP3 increased significantly in the hypothalamus in the postoperative pain mouse model compared to that in control mice. FABP3 protein expressed in the median eminence and the arcuate nucleus, and colocalized with Iba‐1, which is a microglial cell marker. Its protein level significantly increased in the median eminence on Day 2 after incision and returned to the control level on Day 4 after incision. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that FABP3 in the median eminence may change in pain stimuli and may represent a molecular link controlling pain.