scholarly journals Analgesic Effect of Acetaminophen: A Review of Known and Novel Mechanisms of Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuko Ohashi ◽  
Tatsuro Kohno
Keyword(s):  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Spinal Dorsal Horn ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Nociceptive Transmission ◽  
Spinal Dorsal ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Trpv1 Receptors ◽  
The Brain

Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used analgesic agents for treating acute and chronic pain. However, its metabolism is complex, and its analgesic mechanisms have not been completely understood. Previously, it was believed that acetaminophen induces analgesia by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes; however, it has been considered recently that the main analgesic mechanism of acetaminophen is its metabolization to N-acylphenolamine (AM404), which then acts on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain. We also recently revealed that the acetaminophen metabolite AM404 directly induces analgesia via TRPV1 receptors on terminals of C-fibers in the spinal dorsal horn. It is known that, similar to the brain, the spinal dorsal horn is critical to pain pathways and modulates nociceptive transmission. Therefore, acetaminophen induces analgesia by acting not only on the brain but also the spinal cord. In addition, acetaminophen is not considered to possess any anti-inflammatory activity because of its weak inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). However, we also revealed that AM404 induces analgesia via TRPV1 receptors on the spinal dorsal horn in an inflammatory pain rat model, and these analgesic effects were stronger in the model than in naïve rats. The purpose of this review was to summarize the previous and new issues related to the analgesic mechanisms of acetaminophen. We believe that it will allow clinicians to consider new pain management techniques involving acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen Metabolite N-Acylphenolamine Induces Analgesia via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Receptors Expressed on the Primary Afferent Terminals of C-fibers in the Spinal Dorsal Horn

2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuko Ohashi ◽  
Daisuke Uta ◽  
Mika Sasaki ◽  
Masayuki Ohashi ◽  
Yoshinori Kamiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Spinal Dorsal Horn ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Direct Application ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Spinal Dorsal ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Transient Receptor

Abstract Background The widely used analgesic acetaminophen is metabolized to N-acylphenolamine, which induces analgesia by acting directly on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 or cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain. Although these receptors are also abundant in the spinal cord, no previous studies have reported analgesic effects of acetaminophen or N-acylphenolamine mediated by the spinal cord dorsal horn. We hypothesized that clinical doses of acetaminophen induce analgesia via these spinal mechanisms. Methods We assessed our hypothesis in a rat model using behavioral measures. We also used in vivo and in vitro whole cell patch-clamp recordings of dorsal horn neurons to assess excitatory synaptic transmission. Results Intravenous acetaminophen decreased peripheral pinch-induced excitatory responses in the dorsal horn (53.1 ± 20.7% of control; n = 10; P < 0.01), while direct application of acetaminophen to the dorsal horn did not reduce these responses. Direct application of N-acylphenolamine decreased the amplitudes of monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents evoked by C-fiber stimulation (control, 462.5 ± 197.5 pA; N-acylphenolamine, 272.5 ± 134.5 pA; n = 10; P = 0.022) but not those evoked by stimulation of Aδ-fibers. These phenomena were mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors, but not cannabinoid 1 receptors. The analgesic effects of acetaminophen and N-acylphenolamine were stronger in rats experiencing an inflammatory pain model compared to naïve rats. Conclusions Our results suggest that the acetaminophen metabolite N-acylphenolamine induces analgesia directly via transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors expressed on central terminals of C-fibers in the spinal dorsal horn and leads to conduction block, shunt currents, and desensitization of these fibers.

The Role of The TRPV1 Endogenous Agonist N-Oleoyldopamine in Modulation of Nociceptive Signaling at the Spinal Cord Level

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Spicarova ◽  
Jiri Palecek
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
Trpv1 Receptors ◽  
Mepsc Frequency

Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors are abundant in a subpopulation of primary sensory neurons that convey nociceptive information from the periphery to the spinal cord dorsal horn. The TRPV1 receptors are expressed on both the peripheral and central branches of these dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and can be activated by capsaicin, heat, low pH, and also by recently described endogenous lipids. Using patch-clamp recordings from superficial dorsal horn (DH) neurons in acute spinal cord slices, the effect of application of the endogenous TRPV1 agonist N-oleoyldopamine (OLDA) on the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) was evaluated. A high concentration OLDA (10 μM) solution was needed to increase the mEPSC frequency, whereas low concentration OLDA (0.2 μM) did not evoke any change under control conditions. The increase was blocked by the TRPV1 antagonists SB366791 or BCTC. Application of a low concentration of OLDA evoked an increase in mEPSC frequency after activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester (PMA) and bradykinin or in slices from animals with peripheral inflammation. Increasing the bath temperature from 24 to 34°C enhanced the basal mEPSC frequency, but the magnitude of changes in the mEPSC frequency induced by OLDA administration was similar at both temperatures. Our results suggest that presumed endogenous agonists of TRPV1 receptors, like OLDA, could have a considerable impact on synaptic transmission in the spinal cord, especially when TRPV1 receptors are sensitized. Spinal TRPV1 receptors could play a pivotal role in modulation of nociceptive signaling in inflammatory pain.

scholarly journals Liquiritin apioside attenuates laryngeal chemoreflex but not mechanoreflex in rat pups

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (1) ◽  
pp. L89-L97
Author(s):  
Wan Wei ◽  
Xiuping Gao ◽  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Jianguo Zhuang ◽  
Yang Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Rat Pups ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Trpv1 Receptors ◽  
Decay Times ◽  
Transient Receptor

Liquiritin apioside (LA), a main flavonoid component of licorice, reportedly suppresses cough responses to inhalation of aerosolized capsaicin [CAP; a stimulant to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)] in conscious guinea pigs via acting on peripheral nerves. However, the evidence of LA having a direct effect on airway sensory fibers is lacking. Considering the important role laryngeal chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors play in triggering apnea and cough, we studied whether LA suppressed the apneic responses to stimulation of these receptors via directly acting on the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Intralaryngeal delivery of chemical [CAP, HCl, and distilled water (DW)] and mechanical [an air-pulse (AP)] stimulations was applied in anesthetized rat pups to evoke the apnea. These stimuli were repeated after intralaryngeal LA treatment or peri-SLN LA treatment to determine the direct effect of LA on the SLN. Our results showed that all stimuli triggered an immediate apnea. Intralaryngeal LA treatment significantly attenuated the apneic response to chemical but not mechanical stimulations. The same attenuation was observed after peri-SLN LA treatment. Owing that TRPV1 receptors of laryngeal C fibers are responsible for the CAP-triggered apneas, the LA impact on the activity of laryngeal C neurons retrogradely traced by DiI was subsequently studied using a patch-clamp approach. LA pretreatment significantly altered the electrophysiological kinetics of CAP-induced currents in laryngeal C neurons by reducing their amplitudes, increasing the rise times, and prolonging the decay times. In conclusion, our results, for the first time, reveal that LA suppresses the laryngeal chemoreceptor-mediated apnea by directly acting on the SLN (TRPV1 receptors of laryngeal C fibers).

scholarly journals Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid in the Brain Gliovascular Unit: Prospective Targets in Therapy

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Huilong Luo ◽  
Xavier Declèves ◽  
Salvatore Cisternino
Keyword(s):  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Brain Diseases ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Trpv Channels ◽  
Gliovascular Unit ◽  
Transient Receptor ◽  
The Brain

The gliovascular unit (GVU) is composed of the brain microvascular endothelial cells forming blood–brain barrier and the neighboring surrounding “mural” cells (e.g., pericytes) and astrocytes. Modulation of the GVU/BBB features could be observed in a variety of vascular, immunologic, neuro-psychiatric diseases, and cancers, which can disrupt the brain homeostasis. Ca2+ dynamics have been regarded as a major factor in determining BBB/GVU properties, and previous studies have demonstrated the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels in modulating Ca2+ and BBB/GVU properties. The physiological role of thermosensitive TRPV channels in the BBB/GVU, as well as their possible therapeutic potential as targets in treating brain diseases via preserving the BBB are reviewed. TRPV2 and TRPV4 are the most abundant isoforms in the human BBB, and TRPV2 was evidenced to play a main role in regulating human BBB integrity. Interspecies differences in TRPV2 and TRPV4 BBB expression complicate further preclinical validation. More studies are still needed to better establish the physiopathological TRPV roles such as in astrocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, and pericytes. The effect of the chronic TRPV modulation should also deserve further studies to evaluate their benefit and innocuity in vivo.

Intra-arterial instillation of a nociceptive agent modulate cardiorespiratory parameters involving 5-HT3 and TRPV1 receptors in anesthetized rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev K. Singh ◽  
M. S. Muthu ◽  
Ravindran Revand ◽  
M. B. Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Sensory Nerve ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Anesthetized Rats ◽  
Trpv1 Receptors ◽  
Perivascular Nerves ◽  
Transient Receptor

Background: Since long back, it has been a matter of discussion regarding the role of peripheral blood vessels in regulation of cardiorespiratory (CVR) system. Objective: The role of 5-HT3 and TRPV1 receptors present on perivascular nerves in elicitation of CVR reflexes was examined after intra-arterial instillation of bradykinin in urethane anesthetized rats. Materials and Methods: Femoral artery was cannulated retrogradely and was utilized for the instillation of saline/agonist/antagonist and recording of blood pressure (BP), using a double ported 24G cannula. BP, respiration and ECG were recorded for 30 min after bradykinin (1 µM) in the absence or presence of antagonists. Results: Instillation of bradykinin produced immediate hypotensive (40%), bradycardiac (17%), tachypnoeic (45%) and hyperventilatory (96%) responses of shorter latencies (5-8 s) favoring the neural mechanisms in producing the responses. In lignocaine (2%) pretreated animals, bradykinin-induced hypotensive (10%), bradycardiac (1.7%), tachypnoeic (13%) and hyperventilatory (13%) responses attenuated significantly. Pretreatment with ondansetron (100 µg/kg), 5-HT3-antagonist attenuated the hypotensive (10%), bradycardiac (1.7%), tachypnoeic (11%) and hyperventilatory (11%) responses significantly. Pretreatment with capsazepine (1 mg/kg), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1- antagonist blocked the hypotensive (5%), bradycardiac (1.2%), tachypnoeic (6%) and hyperventilatory (6%) responses significantly. Conclusion: In conclusion, presence of a nociceptive agent in the local segment of an artery evokes vasosensory reflex responses modulating CVR parameters involving TRPV1 and 5-HT3 receptors present on the perivascular sensory nerve terminals in anesthetized rats.

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