Involvement of calcium in pain and antinociception

Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research

W.a. Prado¹ 

[1] ,Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto Departamento de FarmacologiaRibeirão Preto SP ,Brasil

关键词: antinociception;    analgesia;    calcium ions;    calcium antagonists;    opioids;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0100-879X2001000400003

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Calcium ions are widely recognized to play a fundamental role in the regulation of several biological processes. Transient changes in cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration represent a key step for neurotransmitter release and the modulation of cell membrane excitability. Evidence has accumulated for the involvement of calcium ions also in nociception and antinociception, including the analgesic effects produced by opioids. The combination of opioids with drugs able to interfere with calcium ion functions in neurons has been pointed out as a useful alternative for safer clinical pain management. Alternatively, drugs that reduce the flux of calcium ions into neurons have been indicated as analgesic alternatives to opioids. This article reviews the manners by which calcium ions penetrate cell membranes and the changes in these mechanisms caused by opioids and calcium antagonists regarding nociceptive and antinociceptive events.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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