title: A new human experimental pain model: the heat/capsaicin sensitization model.
abstract: The heat/capsaicin sensitization model is a new human experimental pain model that synergistically combines non-invasive physical and chemical methods of nociceptor stimulation to produce stable and long-lasting hyperalgesia with a low potential for skin injury. In 10 healthy volunteers the forearm was stimulated with a 45 degrees C thermode for 5 min to produce an area of secondary hyperalgesia. Applying capsaicin cream for 30 min further expanded the area of secondary hyperalgesia. Periodically heating the treated skin with a previously non-painful temperature of 40 degrees C re-kindled the sensitization enough to maintain stable areas of secondary hyperalgesia for 4h. The evoked pain was moderate and well tolerated. The heat/capsaicin sensitization model should be well suited for studying pain mechanisms and testing new analgesics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, UCSF Pain Clinical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco 94115, USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin