ABSTRACT
Resumen. Introducción. El dolor es resultado del procesamiento de una gran cantidad de señales producidas a diferentes niveles del sistema nervioso central y periférico, que se generan en respuesta a estímulos provenientes del medio ambiente o del organismo mismo. Una de las estrategias para generar nuevos analgésicos consiste en el estudio de las bases moleculares que subyacen en la detección de los estímulos dolorosos, es decir, los receptores. Un receptor de gran importancia para la fisiología sensorial y del dolor es el TRPV1, encargado de la detección de estímulos mecánicos, químicos y térmicos. Objetivo. Discutir los aspectos estructurales y funcionales del canal TRPV1, además de su participación en algunos procesos patológicos y las posibles perspectivas de investigación clínica. Desarrollo. La activación del TRPV1 en neuronas sensitivas genera señalesque llegan al sistema nervioso central, donde se interpretan como dolor, además de provocar la liberación periférica de sustancias proinflamatorias que sensibilizan a otras neuronas a estímulos subsecuentes. El TRPV1 es un receptor estructuralmente similar a otros canales iónicos dependientes de voltaje, con la capacidad de detectar e integrar diversos estímulos del medio ambiente, como temperaturas elevadas nocivas o agentes irritantes. Además, la actividad de este canal se acopla a diversas cadenas de señalización relacionadas con procesos de inflamación. Conclusión. La participación central del TRPV1en la fisiología del dolor resulta alentadora para el desarrollo de fármacos dirigidos a este receptor que puedan utilizarse en el tratamiento de diversos tipos de dolor (AU)
Summary. Introduction. Pain results from the processing of a large number of signals produced at different levels of the central and peripheral nervous system, which are generated in response to stimuli from the environment or from the organism itself. One of the strategies for generating new analgesics consists in studying the molecular bases that underlie the detection of painful stimuli, that is to say, the receptors. One receptor that plays a very important role in sensory and pain physiology is TRPV1, which is responsible for detecting mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli. Aims. The aim of this study is to discuss the structural and functional aspects of the TRPV1 channel, as well as its participation in certain pathological processes and the possible perspectives for clinical research. Development. TRPV1 activation in sensory neurons generates signals that reach the central nervous system, where they are interpreted as pain, as well as triggering the peripheral release of proinflammatory substances that make other neurons sensitive to subsequent stimuli. TRPV1 is a receptor that is structurally similar to other voltage-dependent ion channels, with the capacity to detect and integrate several different stimuli from the environment, such as dangerously high temperatures or irritants. Furthermore, the activity of this channel is linked to several signalling chains related with inflammatory processes. Conclusions. The central role of TRPV1 in the physiology of pain will surely encourage the development of drugs aimed at this receptor which can be used in the treatment of several types of pain (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Pain/drug therapy , Analgesia/methods , Ion Channels , TRPV Cation Channels , Inflammation/physiopathology , Nociceptors , Inflammation Mediators/physiologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Pain results from the processing of a large number of signals produced at different levels of the central and peripheral nervous system, which are generated in response to stimuli from the environment or from the organism itself. One of the strategies for generating new analgesics consists in studying the molecular bases that underlie the detection of painful stimuli, that is to say, the receptors. One receptor that plays a very important role in sensory and pain physiology is TRPV1, which is responsible for detecting mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli. AIMS. The aim of this study is to discuss the structural and functional aspects of the TRPV1 channel, as well as its participation in certain pathological processes and the possible perspectives for clinical research. DEVELOPMENT: TRPV1 activation in sensory neurons generates signals that reach the central nervous system, where they are interpreted as pain, as well as triggering the peripheral release of pro-inflammatory substances that make other neurons sensitive to subsequent stimuli. TRPV1 is a receptor that is structurally similar to other voltage-dependent ion channels, with the capacity to detect and integrate several different stimuli from the environment, such as dangerously high temperatures or irritants. Furthermore, the activity of this channel is linked to several signalling chains related with inflammatory processes. CONCLUSIONS: The central role of TRPV1 in the physiology of pain will surely encourage the development of drugs aimed at this receptor which can be used in the treatment of several types of pain.
