Scientists Discover Substance Produced In Body That Causes Pain

[n2doc]

WEDNESDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) — The human body produces a substance similar to capsaicin — which makes chili peppers hot — at sites of pain, and blocking production of this substance can ease pain, a new study shows.

The findings may lead to the development of non-addictive painkillers, according to the researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

In work with mice, the scientists found that a family of fatty acids called oxidized linoleic acid metabolites (OLAMs) play an important role in the biology of pain.

“This is a major breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms of pain and how to more effectively treat it,” senior investigator Kenneth Hargreaves, chair of the Department of Endodontics in the Dental School at the UT Health Sciences Center, said in an UT news release.

“These data demonstrate, for the first time, that OLAMs constitute a new family of naturally occurring capsaicin-like agents, and may explain the role of these substances in many pain conditions. This hypothesis suggests that agents blocking either the production or action of these substances could lead to new therapies and pharmacological interventions for various inflammatory diseases and pain disorders such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and others, including pain associated with cancer.”

http://news.health.com/2010/04/29/scientists-discover-substance-causes-pain/?pkw=outbrain-ha

[blm]

1. great news...

.

[nebenaube]

2. hmmm

So this implies that pain relief from capsaicin itself actually acts through competitive inhibition rather than by inducing production of endorphins?

[bemildred]

3. A reasonable inference.

Though I am addicted to hot peppers.

[Enthusiast]

8. Yes! Hot peppers!

Nothing ramps food up for me so much as the addition of various chiles.

[bemildred]

12. Another reason to avoid fast food, it's all horribly bland. nt

[HereSince1628]

4. Grandma always said rub butter on a 1st degree burn...

I'm sort of wondering what fat-soluble magic Grandma was actually in on.

[LiberalEsto]

5. So I'm a pepper

You're a pepper.

[thecrow]

6. K&R totally awesome!

But should pain patients stay away from spicy foods?

[DirkGently]

9. Capsaicin can actually relieve pain. Something about overwhelming neurons so they stop transmitting.

[Enthusiast]

7. The sooner the better.

This could help stop the epidemic of addiction to opiate pain killers.

[groovedaddy]

10. Feel'n no pain! It's a good thing! n.t

[Kablooie]

11. Oh boy! I could be just like Lisbeth Salander's brother!

reference to the book "The Girl who Played with Fire" for those of you who disdain popular literature.

[HuckleB]

13. .

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Orrex]

15. What the hell got deleted?

:wtf: