title: Capsaicin-induced activation of erythrocyte membrane sodium/potassium and calcium adenosine triphosphatases.
abstract: Capsaicin is the pungent ingredient present in hot peppers of the genus Capsicum. Capsaicin's effect on sensory neurons has been well studied; however, its effect on non-neuronal cells is still not fully understood. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of capsaicin on erythrocyte membrane enzymes: Na+/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase. Treatment with capsaicin (0.01-100 microM) caused a transient increase in the activities of both enzymes; the effect declined at lower concentrations of capsaicin, and no significant effect was observed at 0.01 microM capsaicin. The effect of capsaicin was fast with a significant (p<0.01) activation of enzyme activity observed within minutes of incubation. The findings on the effect of capsaicin on human erythrocyte membrane enzymes Na+/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase signify the importance of the non-neuronal effects of capsaicin, and the need for evaluating the physiological impact of high capsaicin (capsicum) consumption in some regions of the world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211002, India.
authors.forename: Syed Ibrahim
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Suaib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luqman
mesh_terms: D001565:Benzoates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D010080:Oxazoles; C108689:capsazocaine; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D002211:Capsaicin