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J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1460–1475.

Abnormal hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons plays an important role in neuropathic pain. Voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) channels regulate neuronal excitability by affecting the resting membrane potential and influencing the repolarization and frequency of the action potential. In this study, we determined changes in Kv channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain. The densities of total Kv, A‐type (IA) and sustained delayed (IK) currents were markedly reduced in medium‐ and large‐, but not in small‐, diameter DRG neurons in diabetic rats. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of IA subunits, including Kv1.4, Kv3.4, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3, in the DRG were reduced ∼50% in diabetic rats compared with those in control rats. However, there were no significant differences in the mRNA levels of I …