Updates
HOT SUBSTANCE IN CHILLI PEPPERS LINKED TO PAIN
HOT SUBSTANCE IN CHILLI PEPPERS LINKED TO PAIN
The “hot” substance found in chilli peppers is key to killing pain. A chemical similar to capsaicin, the active ingredient in chillies, is found in the body at sites of pain. By blocking the action of the substance, researchers hope to be able to relieve pain.
This research in mice and rats will be of interest to those working in the field of pain relief. The researchers succeeded in breeding mice without receptors for the chilli-like substance (because they had no gene to make them) and showed that these mice had no sensitivity to pain from capsaicin. The researchers say that this is a major breakthrough as it improves the understanding of how pain is transmitted and ultimately may lead to the development of new drugs.
This research was carried out by Dr Amol M Patwardhan and colleagues from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Texas, USA. The study paper was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
In this animal study, the researchers followed up their own previous research, which indicated that substances similar to capsaicin (found in chilli peppers) are made in the nerves of the spine in response to pain. This research aimed to further evaluate the theory that these newly discovered substances are involved in the transmission of pain sensations.
The substances, called oxidized linoleic acid metabolites (OLAMs), are metabolised forms of a fatty acid known as linoleic acid. OLAMs are released by the body when it is injured and can cause pain by stimulating receptors on the surface of cells that then transmit pain sensation. These receptors, known as TRPV1, are also called the capsaicin receptors as they are activated by a wide variety of painful physical and chemical stimuli, such as heat injury and chilli pepper. The activation of TRPV1 leads to a painful, burning sensation.
This is early research and much further study is needed before we know if this finding can be translated into new painkillers stressing the early nature of the research. However, this is the sort of research that begins the process.
Written by Dr Martin Harris, Doctor and Mohel for Jewish Circumcision Clinic in London Bris Mila Brit Milah.
www.circumcisionlondon.co.uk
Contact Dr Martin Harris
KosherPages medical columnist Dr Martin Harris (GP, Honorary Consultant Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children & Mohel) answers your questions on health. You may contact Dr Harris using the form below.