Full transcriptome analysis reveals key regulatory networks and potential therapeutic targets of dorsal root ganglion in rats with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is a common and highly disabling complication of diabetes, the mechanism of which remains incompletely elucidated and lacks effective treatment methods. The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) plays a central role in the occurrence and development of PDPN. This study systematically delineates the mRNA–lncRNA–miRNA interaction network of the DRG in a rat model of PDPN for the first time, reveals the important roles of inflammatory signaling, neurotrophic factor deficiency, metabolic reprogramming, and ion channel abnormalities in the pathogenesis of PDPN, and proposes multiple potential molecular targets, providing theoretical basis and experimental support for the early diagnosis and precision treatment of PDPN. Overall design: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 45 mg/kg dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Seventy-two hours after injection, fasting blood glucose was measured; rats with a glucose level = 16.7 mmol/L were considered diabetic. After an 8-week observation period, the PDPN model was confirmed by combining these data with behavioral test results.