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Up-Regulation of cutaneous α1-Adrenoceptors in complex regional pain syndrome Type I
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Up-Regulation of cutaneous α1-Adrenoceptors in complex regional pain syndrome Type I

P.M. Finch, E.S. Drummond, L.F. Dawson, J.K. Phillips and P.D. Drummond
Pain Medicine, Vol.15(11), pp.1945-1956
2014
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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.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.43 Anesthesiology
1.43.1905 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Web Of Science research areas
Anesthesiology
ESI research areas
Clinical Medicine
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