title: Similarities and differences in the action of resiniferatoxin and capsaicin on central and peripheral endings of primary sensory neurons.
abstract: We have compared the ability of capsaicin and resiniferatoxin, a natural diterpene present in the latex of plants of the Euphorbia family to excite and desensitize capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents in a variety of models. Both capsaicin and resiniferatoxin inhibited the twitch contractions of the rat isolated vas deferens and prevented, in a concentration-related manner, the effect of a subsequent challenge with 1 microM capsaicin (desensitization). Resiniferatoxin was 1000-10,000 times more potent than capsaicin in both cases. The time course of action of resiniferatoxin was much slower than that of capsaicin, suggesting a slower penetration rate in the tissue. The action of resiniferatoxin was blocked by Ruthenium Red, a proposed antagonist at the cation channel coupled to the capsaicin receptor. Both capsaicin and resiniferatoxin produced a contraction of the rat isolated urinary bladder. Resiniferatoxin was about as potent as capsaicin in this assay although it was 500-1000 times more potent than capsaicin in desensitizing the primary afferents to a subsequent challenge with capsaicin itself. Resiniferatoxin did not affect motility in the isolated vasa deferentia or urinary bladder from capsaicin-pretreated rats. After topical application onto the rat urinary bladder both resiniferatoxin (10 nM) and capsaicin (10 microM) increased bladder capacity as assessed in a volume-evoked micturition reflex model in rats without affecting micturition contraction. Intrarterial injection of resiniferatoxin or capsaicin in the ear of anesthetized rabbits evoked a systemic depressor reflex due to activation of paravascular nociceptors, resiniferatoxin being about three times more potent than capsaicin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, A. Menarini Pharmaceuticals, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patacchini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tramontana
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santicioli
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000294:innervation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012430:Ruthenium Red / Q000494:pharmacology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000294:innervation
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D012430:Ruthenium Red; D013373:Substance P; C024353:resiniferatoxin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002211:Capsaicin