Capsaicin and Pain

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Different types of mechanical, chemical and metabolic injuries may damage peripheral nerves and produce impairments in sensory, motor and autonomic functions. Transection of peripheral nerves results in neurotmesis, the most severe form of nerve injury characterized by a complete division of the nerve, which may be associated with neuropathic pain and related painful dysaesthesias. It was suggested that both the axotomy- and the perineural capsaicin treatment-induced reductions in the sensitivity of primary afferent neurons to capsaicin might be related to a downregulation of the capsaicin/TRPV1 receptor. Changes in TRPV1 protein/mRNA level were investigated with in situ hybridization, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. Our results suggest the involvement of distinct cellular mechanisms in the regulation of the TRPV1 mRNA expression of damaged neurons, specifically triggered by the nature of the injury. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of perineurally applied capsaicin involve distinct changes in neuronal TRPV1 mRNA expression and long-lasting alterations in (post)translational regulation.

Csaba Szigeti completed his PhD thesis at the Neuroscience Doctoral School, University of Szeged, Hungary. He has 12 years of teaching experiences in cell biology, histology and anatomy. He had special curses and public lectures about the science of pain. With his co-authors they are currently involved in the molecular pain research.