Role of neurogenic inflammation in pancreatitis and pancreatic pain.
Pain arising from pancreatic diseases can become chronic and difficult to treat. There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the mechanisms that sensitize neural pathways that transmit noxious information from visceral organs. In this review, neurogenic inflammation is presented as a possible amplifier of the noxious signal from peripheral organs including the pancreas. The nerve pathways that transmit pancreatic pain are also reviewed as a conduit of the amplified signals. It is likely that components of these visceral pain pathways can also be sensitized after neurogenic inflammation.
Vera-Portocarrero
Louis
L
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Westlund
Karin N
KN
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D020078:Neurogenic Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications*