Astrocytes, once thought to be passive cells merely filling the space between neurons in the nervous system, are receiving attention as active modulators of the brain and spinal cord physiology by providing nutrients, maintaining homeostasis, and modulating synaptic transmission. Accumulating evidence indicates that astrocytes are critically involved in chronic pain regulation. Injury induces astrocytes to become reactive, and recent studies suggest that reactive astrocytes can have either neuroprotective or neurodegenerative effects. While the exact mechanisms underlying the transition from resting astrocytes to reactive astrocytes remain unknown, astrocytic calcium increase, coordinated by inflammatory molecules, has been suggested to trigger this transition. In this mini review article, we will discuss the roles of astrocytic calcium, channels contributing to calcium dynamics in astrocytes, astrocyte activations along the pain pathway, and possible relationships between astrocytic calcium dynamics and chronic pain.

星形胶质细胞曾经被认为是仅充填神经系统中神经元之间空间的被动细胞，通过提供营养，维持体内稳态和调节突触传递，作为大脑和脊髓生理的活性调节剂而受到关注。越来越多的证据表明，星形胶质细胞在慢性疼痛调节中起关键作用。损伤诱导星形胶质细胞反应，最近的研究表明，活性星形胶质细胞可以具有神经保护作用或神经退行性作用。虽然从静止的星形胶质细胞过渡到反应性星形胶质细胞的确切机制仍是未知的，但提示由炎症分子协调的星形胶质钙的增加会触发这种过渡。在这篇迷你评论文章中，我们将讨论星形细胞钙的作用，