Nitric oxide evokes pain in humans on intracutaneous injection.
To test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) acts algetically in humans, we determined pain intensity/dose relations for intracutaneously applied NO solutions. NO, dissolved in isoosmolar phosphate buffer, was injected in the forearm of six volunteers and the subjects rated NO-evoked pain continuously with the help of an electronically controlled visual analogue scale. Pain always occurred at a NO dose of 12 nmol, increased with dose and reached the tolerance maximum at 50 nmol. This shows for the first time the genuine pain evoking properties of NO.
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Institut für Experimentelle Anaesthesiologie, FRG.
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Holthusen
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Arndt
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010147:Pain Measurement
D009569:Nitric Oxide