title: Neurochemical characterization of the vestibular nerves in women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.
abstract: Women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) have a distinct burning pain provoked by almost any stimuli in the area around the vaginal introitus. In a previous study we observed an increased number of intraepithelial free nerve endings in women with VVS. The aim of the present study was to neurochemically characterize the superficial nerves in the vulvar vestibular mucosa of women with VVS. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect neuropeptides normally found in various types of nerve fibers. Calcitonin gene-related peptide, which is known to exist in nociceptive afferent nerves, was the only neuropeptide detected in the superficial nerves of the vestibular mucosa. These findings confirm our previous theory that the free nerve endings within the epithelium are nociceptors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. nina.bohm-starke@kvk.ds.sll.se
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bohm-Starke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hilliges
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falconer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rylander
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019004:Galanin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000737:chemistry*; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014844:Vulva / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019004:Galanin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide