title: [Zinc and nociception: a pharmacological approach].
abstract: In the last decade, neurophysiological research regarding nociceptive mediation seems to suggest a possible new approach in pain management--zinc applicability. Immunohistochemical studies prove that zinc can be found in central nervous system, inside structures active in nociception. Zinc stabilizes primary afferent C fibers, nervous fibers involved in nociception. However, this phenomenon is probably only true for extreme zinc concentrations--excess or deficit. Electrophysiological studies indicate that zinc inhibits NMDA receptors, while potentiating the activity of non-NMDA receptors. All these are arguments supporting the existence of a role of endogenous zinc regarding pain transmission.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Farmacologie-Toxicologie-Algeziologie, Facultatea de Medicină, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iaşi.
authors.forename: Q C
authors.initials: QC
authors.lastname: Mungiu
authors.forename: Dunărea Georgeta
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ionescu
authors.forename: Irina Maria
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Jaba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000187:drug effects*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D015032:Zinc