title: Dexamethasone attenuates exercise-induced dental analgesia in man.
abstract: The effect of dexamethasone on exercise-induced adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion and dental analgesia was studied in healthy human subjects. Different levels of exercise (100-200 W) were produced by a cycle ergometer. Dental pain thresholds were tested with a constant current stimulator. Dental pain thresholds were elevated with increasing work loads, and the elevation was still significant 30 min after the end of the exercise. Dexamethasone produced a significant reversal of exercise-induced pain threshold elevations concomitantly with the suppression of exercise-induced ACTH release. The results suggest that the corticotropin releasing factor-ACTH axis is involved in the exercise-induced analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kemppainen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paalasmaa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pertovaara
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alila
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000698:Analgesia; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D014070:Tooth / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone