title: Pain: current aspects on peripheral and central sensitization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Current research has focused on the biochemical and structural plasticity of the nervous system secondary to tissue injury. The mechanisms involved in the transition from acute to chronic pain are complex and involve the interaction of receptor systems and the flow of intracellular ions, second messenger systems, and new synaptic connections. The aim of this article was to discuss the new mechanisms concerning peripheral and central sensitization.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Tissue injury increases the response of nociceptors, known as sensitization or facilitation. These phenomena begin after the local release of inflammatory mediators and the activation of the cells of the immune system or specific receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tissue and neuronal lesions result in sensitization of the nociceptors and facilitation of the central and peripheral nervous conduction.
authors.affiliation: CET/SBA da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (FMB-UNESP), Botucatu, SP. anitaperpetua@bol.com.br
authors.forename: Anita Perpétua Carvalho
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Durval Campos
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kraychete
authors.forename: Lino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lemonica
authors.forename: Lídia Raquel
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Guilherme Antônio Moreira
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: de Barros
authors.forename: João Batista dos Santos
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Rioko Kimiko
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sakata