title: Peripheral and central actions of capsaicin and VR1 receptor.
abstract: Vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1), a capsaicin receptor, is expressed in primary sensory neurons and vagal nerves. Heat and protons as well as capsaicin activate VR1 to induce the influx of cations, particularly Ca2+ and Na+ ions. Characteristic effects of capsaicin are the induction of a burning sensation after acute administration and the desensitization of sensory neurons after large doses and prolonged administration. The latter feature made capsaicin cream applicable for the treatment of chronic pain and pruritus. Capsaicin alters several visceral functions, which may be mediated by action on vagal nerves and central neurons. Capsaicin affects thermoregulation after intra-hypothalamic injection and releases glutamate from the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex slices, while VR1-like immunoreactivity is not apparent in these regions. These findings taken together suggest the existence of other subtypes of vanilloid receptors in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasamura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuraishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011522:Protons; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D012964:Sodium; D002211:Capsaicin; D002118:Calcium