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Biomedical subjects

J Szolcsányi

Publications and source records attributed to J Szolcsányi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Participation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves in the gastric mucosa of patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive or-negative chronic gastritis.

Capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves (CSANs) are involved in the protection of gastric mucosa. To clarify the role of CSANs in human Helicobacter pylori-negative or -positive chronic gastritis, after bacterium detection by rapid urease test, (14)C urea breath test, and specific histological staining, the immunodistribution of capsaicin receptor, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P (SP) was studied in 21 H. pylori-positive and 30 H. pylori-negative patients with chronic gastritis and 20 patients with functional dyspepsia (as histologically healthy controls). The expression of capsaicin receptor, CGRP, and SP was significantly higher in the mucosa of patients with chronic gastritis than in controls, however, no significant difference was obtained in the immunodistribution in patients with H. pylori-negative versus H. pylori-positive gastritis. In conclusion, CSANs participate in the development of human gastritis, however, their participation does not depend on the presence of Helicobacter pylori as a causative factor.

Adult↗

Effects of the somatostatin receptor subtype 4 selective agonist J-2156 on sensory neuropeptide release and inflammatory reactions in rodents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves induce local neurogenic inflammation; somatostatin exerts systemic anti-inflammatory actions presumably via sst4/sst1 receptors. This study investigates the effects of a high affinity, sst4-selective, synthetic agonist, J-2156, on sensory neuropeptide release in vitro and inflammatory processes in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Electrically-induced SP, CGRP and somatostatin release from isolated rat tracheae was measured with radioimmunoassay. Mustard oil-induced neurogenic inflammation in rat hindpaw skin was determined by Evans blue leakage and in the mouse ear with micrometry. Dextran-, carrageenan- or bradykinin-induced non-neurogenic inflammation was examined with plethysmometry or Evans blue, respectively. Adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis was assessed by plethysmometry and histological scoring. Granulocyte accumulation was determined with myeloperoxidase assay and IL-1beta with ELISA. KEY RESULTS: J-2156 (10-2000 nM) diminished electrically-evoked neuropeptide release in a concentration-dependent manner. EC50 for the inhibition of substance P, CGRP and somatostatin release were 11.6 nM, 14.3 nM and 110.7 nM, respectively. J-2156 (1-100 microg kg(-1) i.p.) significantly, but not dose-dependently, inhibited neurogenic and non-neurogenic acute inflammatory processes and adjuvant-induced chronic oedema and arthritic changes. Endotoxin-evoked myeloperoxidase activity and IL-1beta production in the lung, but not IL-1beta- or zymosan-induced leukocyte accumulation in the skin were significantly diminished by J-2156. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: J-2156 acting on sst4 receptors inhibits neuropeptide release, vascular components of acute inflammatory processes, endotoxin-induced granulocyte accumulation and IL-1beta synthesis in the lung and synovial and inflammatory cells in chronic arthritis. Therefore it might be a promising lead for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs.

Animals↗

Effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-38 on sensory neuropeptide release and neurogenic inflammation in rats and mice.

Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves induce local neurogenic inflammation, while somatostatin exerts systemic anti-inflammatory actions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the release of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP-38) and its effects on sensory neuropeptide release in vitro and acute neurogenic ear swelling in vivo. Capsaicin (10(-6) M) or electrical field stimulation (EFS; 40 V, 0.1 ms, 10 Hz, 120 s; 1200 impulses)-induced release of PACAP-38, SP, CGRP and somatostatin from isolated rat tracheae was measured with radioimmunoassay. Mustard oil-induced neurogenic inflammation in the mouse ear was determined with a micrometer and in the rat hind paw skin by the Evans Blue leakage technique. Capsaicin and EFS evoked 27% and more than twofold elevation of PACAP-38 release respectively, compared with the prestimulated basal values from isolated trachea preparation. Exogenously administered PACAP-38 (20-2000 nM) diminished both capsaicin- and EFS-evoked sensory neuropeptide release in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal inhibitory effects of PACAP on capsaicin-induced substance P, CGRP and somatostatin release amounted to 75.4%, 73.3% and 90.0%, while EFS-evoked release of these peptides was 80.03%, 87.7% and 67.7%. In case of capsaicin stimulation the EC50 values for substance P, CGRP and somatostatin were 82.9 nM, 60.1 nM and 66.9 nM, respectively. When EFS was performed, these corresponding EC50 data were 92.1 nM, 67.8 nM and 20.9 nM. PACAP-38 (10, 100 and 1000 microg/kg i.p. in 200 microl volume) inhibited neurogenic ear swelling in the mouse. Furthermore, 100 microg/kg i.p. PACAP also significantly diminished mustard oil-evoked plasma protein extravasation in the rat skin. These results suggest that PACAP-38 is released from the stimulated peripheral terminals of capsaicin-sensitive afferents and it is able to inhibit the outflow of sensory neuropeptides. Based on this mechanism of action PACAP is also able to effectively diminish/abolish neurogenic inflammatory response in vivo after systemic administration.

Animals↗

Relative roles of protein kinase A and protein kinase C in modulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor responsiveness in rat sensory neurons in vitro and peripheral nociceptors in vivo.

The function of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 capsaicin receptor is subject to modulation by phosphorylation catalyzed by various enzymes including protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The aim of this study was to compare the significance of the basal and stimulated activity of protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor responsiveness in the rat in vitro by measurement of the intracellular calcium concentration in cultured trigeminal ganglion neurons and in vivo by determination of the behavioral noxious heat threshold. KT5720, a selective inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, reduced the calcium transients induced by capsaicin or the other, much more potent transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor agonist resiniferatoxin in trigeminal sensory neurons and diminished the drop of the noxious heat threshold (heat allodynia) evoked by intraplantar resiniferatoxin injection. Chelerythrine chloride, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, failed to alter either of these responses, although it inhibited the effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in the in vitro assay. Staurosporine, a rather nonselective protein kinase inhibitor, failed to reduce the capsaicin- and resiniferatoxin-induced calcium transients but inhibited the resiniferatoxin-evoked heat allodynia. Dibutyryl-cAMP and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, activator(s) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C, respectively, enhanced the effect of capsaicin in the calcium uptake assay while forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, augmented that of resiniferatoxin in the heat allodynia model. None of the protein kinase inhibitors or activators altered the calcium transients evoked by high potassium, a nonspecific depolarizing stimulus. It is concluded that basal activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, unlike protein kinase C, is involved in the maintenance of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor function in somata of trigeminal sensory neurons but stimulation of either cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C above the resting level can lead to an enhanced transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor responsiveness. Similar mechanisms are likely to operate in vivo in peripheral terminals of nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Direct evidence for activation and desensitization of the capsaicin receptor by N-oleoyldopamine on TRPV1-transfected cell, line in gene deleted mice and in the rat.

Effects of the endogenous lipid N-oleoyldopamine (OLDA) were analyzed on the rTRPV1-expressing HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line (HT5-1), on cultured rat trigeminal neurons, on the noxious heat threshold of rats and on nocifensive behavior of TRPV1 knockout mice. The EC(50) of capsaicin and OLDA on (45)Ca accumulation of rTRPV1-expressing HT5-1 cells was 36 nM and 1.8 microM, respectively. The efficacy of OLDA was 60% as compared to the maximum response of capsaicin. OLDA (330 nM to 3.3 microM) caused a transient increase in fluorescence of fura-2 loaded cultured small trigeminal neurons of the rat and rTRPV1-transfected HT5-1 cells measured with a ratiometric technique. Repeated application of OLDA and capsaicin caused similar desensitization in the Ca(2+) transients both in cultured neurons and rTRPV1-transfected HT5-1 cells. In the rat intraplantar injection of OLDA (5 nmol) decreased the noxious heat threshold by 6-9 degrees C and this response was strongly inhibited by the TRPV1 antagonist iodoresiniferatoxin (0.05 nmol intraplantarly (i.pl.)). In wild-type mice OLDA (50 nmol i.pl.) evoked paw lifting/licking which was significantly less sustained in TRPV1 knockout mice. It is concluded that on TRPV1 capsaicin receptors OLDA is 50 times less potent than capsaicin and it might serve as an endogenous ligand for TRPV1 in the rat, but more likely in humans.

Animals↗

Mustard oil induces a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor-independent neurogenic inflammation and a non-neurogenic cellular inflammatory component in mice.

A neurogenic component has been suggested to play a pivotal role in a range of inflammatory/immune diseases. Mustard oil (allyl-isothiocyanate) has been used in studies of inflammation to mediate neurogenic vasodilatation and oedema in rodent skin. The aim of the present study was to analyse mustard oil-induced oedema and neutrophil accumulation in the mouse ear focussing on the roles of neurokinin 1 (NK(1)) and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors using normal (BALB/c, C57BL/6) as well as NK(1) and TRPV1 receptor knockout mice. A single or double treatment of 1% mustard oil on the BALB/c mouse ear induced ear oedema with responses diminished by 6 h. However a 25-30% increase in ear thickness was maintained by the hourly reapplication of mustard oil. Desensitisation of sensory nerves with capsaicin, or the NK(1) receptor antagonist SR140333, inhibited oedema but only in the first 3 h. Neutrophil accumulation in response to mustard oil was inhibited neither by SR140333 nor capsaicin pre-treatment. An activating dose of capsaicin (2.5%) induced a large oedema in C57BL/6 wild-type mice that was minimal in TRPV1 receptor knockout mice. By comparison, mustard oil generated ear swelling was inhibited by SR140333 in wild-type and TRPV1 knockout mice. Repeated administration of mustard oil maintained 35% oedema in TRPV1 knockout animals and the lack of TRPV1 receptors did not alter the leukocyte accumulation. In contrast repeated treatment caused about 20% ear oedema in Sv129+C57BL/6 wild-type mice but the absence of NK(1) receptors significantly decreased the response. Neutrophil accumulation showed similar values in both groups. This study has revealed that mustard oil can act via both neurogenic and non-neurogenic mechanisms to mediate inflammation in the mouse ear. Importantly, the activation of the sensory nerves was still observed in TRPV1 knockout mice indicating that the neurogenic inflammatory component occurs via a TRPV1 receptor independent process.

Animals↗

Daily body temperature rhythm and heat tolerance in TRPV1 knockout and capsaicin pretreated mice.

Daily body temperature (DBT) rhythm of mice lacking one of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of proteins, the capsaicin receptor or TRPV1, was recorded by biotelemetry and found to have significantly higher amplitude than that of wild-type mice. Capsaicin-desensitized wild-mice exhibited an even higher DBT amplitude than did TRPV1 deficient mice. A standard heat load (radiant temperature of 36-37 degrees C) resulted in similar rises in body core temperature in wild-type mice and in TRPV1 deficient mice, while capsaicin-desensitized wild-type mice exhibited a robust heat-intolerance. The lack of TRPV1 slightly modifies amplitude of daily body temperature rhythm but does not seem to influence physiological heat defence in mice. In vivo evidence for a TRP protein functioning in the physiological heat-defence range is still lacking.

Animals↗

Neonatal capsaicin treatment results in prolonged mitochondrial damage and delayed cell death of B cells in the rat trigeminal ganglia.

Capsaicin acts on the vanilloid receptor subtype 1, a noxious heat-gated cation channel located on a major subgroup of nociceptive primary afferent neurons. Following the systemic capsaicin treatment of neonatal rats, the loss of B-type sensory neurons in trigeminal ganglion of adult rats with chemoanalgesia and abolition of neurogenic inflammation was investigated. Our quantitative morphometric analysis revealed that in the trigeminal ganglion of neonatal rats treated with 50 mg/kg s.c. capsaicin, the total number of neurons, morphology of B-type cells and cell-size histograms did not differ from that of the controls 1 or 5 days after treatment. These observations indicate that early cell death does not play a significant part in the loss of B-type cells, which in our sample was 39.4% on the 19th day. However under the electron microscope pronounced selective mitochondrial swelling with disorganized cristae was observed in B-type neurons at 1-20 weeks after capsaicin treatment. Daily treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF, 10 x 100 microg/kg s.c.), started 1 day after capsaicin injection, prevented the loss of B-type cells but did not counteract the development of long-lasting mitochondrial damage. After NGF treatment, partial restitution of chemonociception to capsaicin instillation into the eye occurred but capsaicin-induced inhibition of neurogenic plasma extravasation in the hindpaw evoked by topical application of mustard oil remained unaltered. We conclude, that capsaicin treatment in neonatal rats, as in the adults, destroys terminal parts of the sensory neurons supplied by vanilloid receptors and induces long-lasting mitochondrial swelling in the soma. We hypothesize that loss of NGF uptake results in delayed cell death of B-type neurons in neonates.

Animals↗

Neonatal anandamide treatment results in prolonged mitochondrial damage in the vanilloid receptor type 1-immunoreactive B-type neurons of the rat trigeminal ganglion.

Capsaicin acting on the vanilloid type 1 receptor (VR1) excites a subset of primary sensory neurons. Systemic capsaicin treatment of adult or neonatal rats results in selective damage of the B-type neurons in the rat sensory ganglia by causing a long-lasting mitochondrial lesion that has been described in detail in previous studies. The endocannabinoid, anandamide, exhibits an agonist effect on VR1 receptors. The physiological role of anandamide as a VR1 agonist is still uncertain. This study addresses whether high doses of anandamide induce similar ultrastructural changes to those described for capsaicin. The effect of neonatally administered anandamide (1 mg/kg) on neurons of the trigeminal ganglia and the hippocampal formation was examined in the light and electron microscope from the first day after injections to the 20th week after treatment. Anandamide was found to cause mitochondrial damage of the B-type neurons of trigeminal ganglia similar to what has been described for capsaicin. The time course of damage was also comparable. In addition to the cells of the trigeminal ganglia, B-type cells of dorsal root ganglia were also damaged. A-type neurons and satellite glial cells were not affected either in the trigeminal or in the dorsal root ganglia. In the hippocampal formation, where a subpopulation of local circuit neurons is known to contain cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) but not VR1 receptors, anandamide did not cause morphological changes of mitochondria either in the dentate gyrus or in Ammon's horn. At 3 weeks of age, all VR1-immunoreactive neurons in the trigeminal ganglia of animals treated neonatally with anandamide displayed swollen mitochondria. The results suggest that anandamide, at pharmacologically relevant doses, acts on the VR1 receptor and causes prolonged and selective mitochondrial damage of B-type sensory neurons, as has previously been described for capsaicin.

Animals↗

Anti-inflammatory effect of synthetic somatostatin analogues in the rat.

1. Somatostatin (6.11 nmol kg(-1) i.p.) inhibited neurogenic plasma extravasation evoked by 1% mustard oil and non-neurogenic oedema induced by 5% dextran in the rat skin. 2. Cyclic synthetic octapeptide (TT-248 and TT-250) and heptapeptide (TT-232) somatostatin analogues proved to be more effective in reducing neurogenic and non-neurogenic inflammatory reactions but octreotide had no influence on either neurogenic or non-neurogenic inflammation. 3. TT-232 administered i.p. or i.v. (1.06 - 42.40 nmol kg(-1)) inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the plasma extravasation evoked by mustard oil in the rat's paw. Neither diclofenac (15.78 - 315.60 micromol kg(-1)) nor the selective COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam (2.95 - 569.38 micromol kg(-1)) attenuated the mustard oil-induced neurogenic plasma extravasation. 4. TT-232, diclofenac and meloxicam dose-dependently diminished non-neurogenic dextran-oedema of the paw the ED(35) values were 1.73 nmol kg(-1) for TT-232 and 34.37 micromol kg(-1) for diclofenac. 5. TT-232 inhibited in the dose range of 1.06 - 21.21 nmol kg(-1) the bradykinin-induced plasma extravasation in the skin of the chronically denervated paw. 6. Mustard oil-induced cutaneous plasma extravasation was dose-dependently diminished by s.c. TT-232 1, 2, 4, 6 or 16 h after the treatment. TT-232 (2 x 106, 2 x 212 and 2 x 530 nmol kg(-1) per day s.c. for 18 days) caused dose-dependent inhibition of chronic Freund adjuvant-induced arthritis during the experimental period. 7. TT-232 (200 and 500 nM) inhibited the release of SP, CGRP and somatostatin from the rat isolated trachea induced by electrical field stimulation (40 V, 0.1 ms, 10 Hz, 120 s) or by capsaicin (10(-7) M), but did not influence the basal, non-stimulated peptide release. 8. It is concluded that somatostatin analogues without endocrine functions as TT-232 are promising compounds with a novel site of action for inhibition of non-neurogenic and neurogenic inflammatory processes.

Animals↗

Four response stages of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurons to capsaicin and its analog: gastric acid secretion, gastric mucosal damage and protection.

Capsaicin is the active component of red hot peppers, which modifies specifically the capsaicin-sensitive sensory afferent nerves. The action of capsaicin is an initial short-lasting stimulation, which is followed by desensitization to capsaicin itself, and to other stimuli of afferent sensory nerves. Four response stages of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents exist to capsaicin, depending on the dose and duration of exposure to the drug. These are excitation, a sensory blocking effect, long-term selective neurotoxic impairment, and irreversible cell destruction. The possible roles of four stages of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents can be evaluated in relation to gastric acid secretion, and to the details of the defensive side of gastric mucosa against different chemicals, physical agents, drugs and other pathological stress. Capsaicin inhibited the gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats when it was given intragastrically at a dose of 0.4-1.8 microg/kg. Small doses of capsaicin (up to 800 microg, i.g.) produced a dose-dependent inhibition (ID50 = 400 microg), and its inhibitory effect was exerted for 1 h in healthy human subjects. While a small dose (5 microg/kg) of capsaicin caused inhibition, a high dose (50-100 mg/kg) enhanced the gastric mucosal lesions productivity by causing hyperacidity in pylorus-ligated animals. Capsaicin and its analog inhibited the development of different chemically induced gastric mucosal damage in various experimental models if they were given intragastric doses (microg/kg). The final effects of capsaicin depend on the dosage and timing. The different effects are excitation, a sensory-blocking effect, long-term selective neurotoxic impairment and irreversible cell destruction.

Afferent Pathways↗

Effect of capsaicin on voltage-gated currents of trigeminal neurones in cell culture and slice preparations.

Effects of capsaicin on voltage-gated currents were examined in vitro by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from small neurones of rat trigeminal ganglia either in slice preparations or in different cell cultures. Cells were classified as sensitive to capsaicin if they responded with inward current and/or conductance change to the agent in nanomolar concentration. Capsaicin (150 to 330 nM) in sensitive cells reduced the mixed inward current evoked by depolarizing step or ramp commands in all preparations. In cultured cells, the inward current was depressed to 32.78 +/- 26.42% (n = 27) of the control. Both the tetrodotoxin-sensitive and -resistant inward currents were affected. The data support the concept that capsaicin besides acting on VR-1 receptors inhibits also some voltage gated channels. In 34 cultured cells, capsaicin increased the slope conductance to 170.5 +/- 68%. Percentage of capsaicin sensitive cells observed in nerve growth factor-treated cultured cell populations was higher (77.8%) than in the two other preparations (14.3 or 38.8%). It is concluded that 1) depression of the voltage-gated currents may play an important role in the functional desensitization of the sensory receptors and in the analgesic effect induced by the agent and 2) cell body of sensory neurones under native condition seems less sensitive to capsaicin then that of cells cultured in the presence of nerve growth factor.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Impaired capsaicin-induced decrease in heart rate and coronary flow in isolated heart of diabetic rats.

The effect of capsaicin (0.1 microM) on heart rate and coronary flow was studied in Langendorff-perfused heart from streptozotocin-induced (50 mg/kg i.v.) diabetic rats where sensory neuropathy developed. In hearts from animals 4- and 8-week diabetes baseline heart rate and coronary flow decreased from 317.9 +/- 2.9 b.p.m. and 13.4 +/- 0.7 m/min to 255.1 +/- 12.7 and 219.8 +/- 2.8 b.p.m. and 8.9 +/- 0.6 and 10.0 +/- 0.1 ml/min (P<0.05), respectively. Capsaicin significantly decreased both variables in either normal or 4-week diabetic animals its effects, however, on coronary flow or heart rate were missing in preparations from 8-week diabetic rats. Endothelin-1 (0.1 nM), the putative mediator of the capsaicin effect, significantly decreased heart rate and coronary flow irrespective of the presence or absence of diabetes. In the femoral nerve of streptozotocin-treated animals conduction velocity involving both fast conducting A- and slow-conducting C-fibres was decreased proportional to the duration of the pre-existing diabetic state. It is concluded that in insulin deficient diabetes the diminished responses evoked by capsaicin on heart rate and coronary flow are signs of sensory neuropathy. This is related to a feeble endothelin release from sensory nerve endings without changes in post-receptor mechanisms mediating the endothelin effects.

Animals↗

Systemic anti-inflammatory effect of somatostatin released from capsaicin-sensitive vagal and sciatic sensory fibres of the rat and guinea-pig.

The systemic anti-inflammatory effect induced by antidromic sensory nerve stimulation was investigated in rats and guinea-pigs. In atropine-pretreated rats, bilateral antidromic stimulation of vagal afferent fibres (8 Hz, 20 min, at C-fibre strength) inhibited plasma extravasation induced by 1% mustard oil on the acutely denervated hindlegs by 36.45+/-3.95%. Both the prevention of this inhibitory effect by cysteamine pretreatment and the stimulation-evoked rise of plasma somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the two species suggest a mediator role of neural somatostatin. Since this response was blocked by systemic capsaicin pretreatment and slightly reduced after subdiaphragmal vagotomy, participation of thoracic capsaicin-sensitive afferents is indicated. In guinea-pigs pretreated with guanethidine and pipecuronium, antidromic sciatic nerve stimulation induced 45.46+/-5.08% inhibition on the contralateral leg and increased plasma somatostatin-like immunoreactivity. It is concluded that somatostatin released from the activated vagal capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve terminals of the rat and somatic nerves of the guinea-pigs exerts a systemic humoral function.

Afferent Pathways↗

Interacting effects of capsaicin and anandamide on intracellular calcium in sensory neurones.

Capsaicin (100 nM to 1 microM) and anandamide (200 nM to 10 microM) caused a transient increase in fluorescence of fura-2 loaded cultured small trigeminal neurones of rats measured with a ratiometric technique. The percentage of cells responding to capsaicin at 100 nM, 330 nM and 1 microM was 47.4%, 45.3%, and 70.4%, respectively. Averaged peak value of fluorescense ratio (R) at 340 and 380 nm excitation was slightly dose dependent. Peaks of anandamide-induced transients were R = 0.2 at 200 nM and 0.16 at 10 microM. Near 40% of capsaicin-sensitive cells responded also to anandamide. Anandamide (200 nM) inhibited the capsaicin-induced calcium influx. The results suggest that anandamide increases intracellular calcium and inhibits capsaicin-evoked calcium transients.

Animals↗

Evidence for the involvement of ATP, but not of VIP/PACAP or nitric oxide, in the excitatory effect of capsaicin in the small intestine.

The contractile effect of capsaicin in the guinea-pig small intestine involves an activation of enteric cholinergic neurons. Our present data show that the P(2) purinoceptor antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS, 30 microM) significantly reduces the contractile response to capsaicin (2 microM) in the presence, but not in the absence, of the tachykinin receptor antagonists [O-Pro(9), (Spiro-gamma-lactam)Leu(10), Trp(11)]physalaemin (1-11) (GR 82334; 3 microM) and (S)-(N)-(1-(3-(1-benzoyl-3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-3-yl)propyl)-4-phenylpiperidine-4-yl)-N -methylacetamide (SR 142804: 100 nM) (for blocking tachykinin NK1 and NK3 receptors, respectively). PPADS (30 microM) fails to influence submaximal cholinergic contractions evoked by cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8; 2-3 nM) or senktide (1 nM), or the direct smooth muscle-contracting effect of histamine (100-200 nM). A higher concentration (300 microM) of PPADS is also without effect against the stimulatory action of cholecystokinin octapeptide. This means that PPADS can probably be safely used as a purinoceptor antagonist in intestinal preparations. The putative pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) receptor antagonist PACAP-(6-38) (3 microM) significantly reduces the contractile effect of PACAP-(1-38) (10 nM) and abolishes that of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP; 10 nM). PACAP-(6-38) (3 microM) fails to influence the effect of capsaicin (2 microM) both in the absence and in the presence of tachykinin receptor antagonists. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG; 100 microM) also fails to inhibit the capsaicin-induced motor response. We conclude that an endogenous ligand of PPADS-sensitive P(2) purinoceptors (possibly ATP), but not a VIP/PACAP-like peptide or NO, is involved in the nontachykininergic activation of cholinergic neurons in the course of the capsaicin-induced contraction.

Acetylcholine↗

Anti-nociceptive effect induced by somatostatin released from sensory nerve terminals and by synthetic somatostatin analogues in the rat.

In rats anaesthetized with urethan and pretreated with pipecuronium bromide nocifensive reaction of blood pressure elevation evoked by intraarterial capsaicin injection was inhibited over 40 min by bilateral antidromic stimulation of the sensory fibres of the sciatic nerves. Rise in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory frequency evoked by capsaicin were markedly diminished after smearing 1% mustard oil on the acutely denervated hindpaws indicating a release of mediators with anti-nociceptive action from cutaneous nociceptors. Intravenous injection of the putative mediator somatostatin (10 microg/kg) or its analogues RC-160 and TT-232, but not octreotide inhibited the cardiorespiratory and blood pressure responses evoked by topical cutaneous application of mustard oil or capsaicin instillation into the eye. It is concluded, that the endocrine and the anti-nociceptive effects of somatostatin are mediated through distinct receptor subtypes and therefore, TT-232, a novel heptapeptide analogue without endocrine action, is a promising analgesic compound.

Analgesics↗