Up-regulation of cutaneous α1 -adrenoceptors in complex regional pain syndrome type I.
Pain Med
; 15(11): 1945-56, 2014 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25220453
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In a small radioligand-binding study of cutaneous α1 -adrenoceptors in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), signal intensity was greater in the CRPS-affected limb than in controls. However, it was not possible to localize heightened expression of α1 -adrenoceptors to nerves, sweat glands, blood vessels, or keratinocytes using this technique.METHODS:
To explore this in the present study, skin biopsies were obtained from 31 patients with CRPS type I and 23 healthy controls of similar age and sex distribution. Expression of α1 -adrenoceptors on keratinocytes and on dermal blood vessels, sweat glands, and nerves was assessed using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:
α1 -Adrenoceptors were expressed more strongly in dermal nerve bundles and the epidermis both on the affected and contralateral unaffected side in patients than in controls (P<0.05). However, expression of α1 -adrenoceptors in sweat glands and blood vessels was similar in patients and controls. α1 -Adrenoceptor staining intensity in the CRPS-affected epidermis was associated with pain intensity (P < 0.05), but a similar trend for nerve bundles did not achieve statistical significance.DISCUSSION:
Epidermal cells influence nociception by releasing ligands that act on sensory nerve fibers. Moreover, an increased expression of α1 -adrenoceptors on nociceptive afferents has been shown to aggravate neuropathic pain. Thus, the heightened expression of α1 -adrenoceptors in dermal nerves and epidermal cells might augment pain and neuroinflammatory disturbances after tissue injury in patients with CRPS type I.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Distrofia Simpática Refleja
/
Piel
/
Receptores Adrenérgicos alfa 1
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pain Med
Asunto de la revista:
NEUROLOGIA
/
PSICOFISIOLOGIA
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia