The depolarising action of capsaicin on rat isolated sciatic nerve

The effect of capsaicin on the isolated sciatic nerve of rat was studied by extracellular recording of membrane polarisation. Capsaicin depolarised the sciatic nerve, but desensitization occurred rapidly upon repeated administration. Several other neuroactive substances, including substance P, were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Life sciences (1973) Vol. 35; no. 15; p. 1561
Main Authors:	Hayes, A G, Hawcock, A B, Hill, R G
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Netherlands 08-10-1984
Subjects:	Afferent Pathways Animals Capsaicin - analogs & derivatives Capsaicin - pharmacology Membrane Potentials - drug effects Nociceptors - drug effects Rats Sciatic Nerve - drug effects Structure-Activity Relationship Substance P - pharmacology
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Summary:	The effect of capsaicin on the isolated sciatic nerve of rat was studied by extracellular recording of membrane polarisation. Capsaicin depolarised the sciatic nerve, but desensitization occurred rapidly upon repeated administration. Several other neuroactive substances, including substance P, were inactive. The depolarisation was reduced in nerves depleted of unmyelinated fibres by neonatal capsaicin treatment, suggesting that it occurs mainly in C-fibres. This depolarising action of capsaicin could explain the irritant and acute antinociceptive properties of capsaicin.
ISSN:	0024-3205
DOI:	10.1016/0024-3205(84)90354-0