Pe 20 polyethylene tubing

The CCI model was used for behavioral tests based on hindpaw movement (response to stimulus to the plantar surface of the foot) as well as ex vivo recording from the hairy skin under pathological conditions. Surgery was performed under brief isoflurane anesthesia. The main branch of the left sciatic nerve was exposed and a cuff of PE-20 polyethylene tubing (0.38 mm internal diameter, 1.09 mm external diameter; Harvard Apparatus) of standardized length (2 mm) was applied (Benbouzid et al., 2008 (link)). The shaved skin layer was closed using sutures. Compared with baseline, the mechanical and heat thresholds were significantly reduced following sciatic nerve cuffing on postoperative days 12–15 (Wilcoxon signed rank test, Ps < 0.001), indicating neuropathic pain. The left sural nerve, which was affected by the CCI, was used for ex vivo recording.

Neuropathic pain was induced by cuffing the main branch of the right sciatic nerve as previously described (Benbouzid et al., 2008c (link); Yalcin et al., 2014 (link)). Before surgeries, mice were anesthetized with ketamine (Vibrac, Carros, France)/xylazine (Rompun, Kiel, Germany; 100/10 mg/kg, i.p.). The common branch of the right sciatic nerve was exposed, and a cuff of PE-20 polyethylene tubing (Harvard Apparatus, Les Ulis, France) of standardized length (2 mm) was unilaterally inserted around it (Cuff group). Sham-operated animals underwent the same surgical procedure without cuff implantation (Sham group). Animals were placed on their left side in a clean home cage immediately after surgery and kept under the heat lamp until they awoke. Water and chow were placed directly in the home cage. The surgical site was checked daily during the next 3 days, and animals were monitored for signs of unusual suffering or infection with endpoints defined in agreement with the recommendations of the ethical committee.