Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the contribution of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to neuropathic pain，we examined the effects of this pathway in a rat model of bilateral chronic constriction injury (bCCI). Methods: A rat model of bCCI was established and 60 rats’ behavior tests were performed on the day before surgery and on day 3、7、14 and 21 after surgery, L4~L6 dorsal spinal cord was harvested at the each time point. RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to explore the activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Results: Pain-related behavioral tests socres in the bCCI rats were significant decreased as compared to the sham-operated and na?ve group at each time point postoperatively (P<0.05). SOCS3 mRNA and STAT3 mRNA significantly increased on day 14, accompanied by JAK2mRNA of with a similar time course. IL-6 mRNA level increased on day 3 and showed statistically significant increases on day 21. Western blot analysis showed that JAK2, P-STAT3, SOCS3 increased at different timepoints. Conclusion：Our results suggest that the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly upregulated in a rat bCCI model of neuropathic pain which will open new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Key words: Key words: JAK2, STAT3, neuropathic pain