【Objective】 Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is very important in spinal cord regulating the pain transmission process

especially the chronic pain. This study was designed to investigate the role of spinal cord TNFα on regulating the HIV-related pain. 【Methods】 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for gp120 neuropathic pain model and intrathecal catheter were set up under anesthesia. Mechanical allodynia was determined by assessing paw withdrawal to Von Frey hairs of graded tensile strength. After gp120 neuropathic pain model was set up for two weeks

we detected the TNFα protein level on spinal cord by Western blot analysis. Intrathecal injection of soluable TNFα receptor and pentoxifylline

a non-specific glial cytokine inhibitor were used to determine the mechanism of TNFα in spinal cord. 【Results】 Peripheral gp120 application into the rat sciatic nerve induced mechanical allodynia for more than 1 month. Peripheral gp120 upregulated the expression of TNFα in the protein level in spinal cord. Intrathecal administration of soluble TNFα receptor or glia inhibitor pentoxifylline reduced gp120 induced mechanical allodynia. 【Conclusion】 Our results indicate that peripheral gp120 application induces TNFα release in spinal cord. Blockade of TNFα reverses neuropathic pain induced by HIV gp120.