Cyclooxygenase inhibitors acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin do not affect capsaicin-induced neurogenic inflammation in human skin

Calcitonin gene-related peptide8-37 antagonizes capsaicin-induced vasodilation in the skin: evaluation of a human in vivo pharmacodynamic model

The purpose of this study was to identify the mediators involved in capsaicin-induced vasodilation in the human skin and to evaluate a pharmacodynamic model for the early clinical evaluation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. Dermal blood flow (DBF) response of the forearm skin to topically applied capsaicin was measured using laser Doppler perfusion imaging in 22 subjects. The effect of intra-arterially administered CGRP(8-37) (1200 ng . min(-1) . dl(-1) forearm), indomethacin (5 mug . min(-1) . dl(-1) forearm), and N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA; 0.2 mg . min(-1) dl(-1) forearm), and orally administered aprepitant (375 mg) on capsaicin-induced dermal vasodilation was assessed. Furthermore, the diurnal variation of the DBF response to capsaicin was studied. CGRP(8-37) inhibited the capsaicin-induced DBF increase: 217(145, 290)% in infused versus 370 (254, 486)% in the noninfused arm [mean (95% CI); p = 0.004]. In contrast, indomethacin, l-NMMA, aprepitant, and the time of assessment did not affect the DBF response to capsaicin. Thus, capsaicin-induced vasodilation in the human forearm skin is largely mediated by CGRP, but not by vasodilating prostaglandins, nitric oxide, or substance P. The response to capsaicin does not display a circadian rhythm. A pharmacodynamic model is proposed to evaluate CGRP receptor antagonists in humans in vivo.

Reproducibility of the capsaicin-induced dermal blood flow response as assessed by laser Doppler perfusion imaging

AIMS

Part I: to establish the dose and appropriate application site of capsaicin on the human forearm in order to produce a robust and reproducible dermal blood flow (DBF) response. Part II: to evaluate the within-subject arm-to-arm and period-to-period reproducibility.

METHODS

Both parts consisted of two study visits. In part I, placebo and 100, 300 and 1000 microg capsaicin were applied at four predefined sites on the volar surface of both forearms. Placebo and capsaicin doses were randomized and balanced by site between subjects. Changes in DBF were assessed by laser Doppler perfusion imaging up to 60 min after capsaicin application. In part II, only 1000 microg capsaicin was applied on the proximal forearm and changes in DBF assessed up to 30 min (t(30)). DBF response was expressed as percent change from baseline +/- SD and the corresponding AUC(0-30). Reproducibility assessment included calculation of the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC).

RESULTS

Part I (n = 12 subjects): compared with placebo, 300 and 1000 microg capsaicin increased DBF (P < 0.05) at all time points except at 10 min. This increase was reproducible at the two most proximal sites from the 30-min time point onwards when compared between arms (CCC >or= 0.8, i.e. substantial to almost perfect reproducibility). In part II (n = 11), t(30) averaged 390 +/- 120% and arm-to-arm reproducibility was almost perfect (CCC = 0.91) for AUC(0-30).

CONCLUSIONS

Capsaicin induces a reproducible within-subject arm-to-arm increase in DBF. We provide a non-invasive pharmacodynamic model in humans to test antagonists of mediators involved in capsaicin-induced dermal vasodilation, including calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists.

Cathodal current-induced vasodilation to single application and the amplified response to repeated application in humans rely on aspirin-sensitive mechanisms

Assumed to rely on an axon reflex, the current-induced vasodilation (CIV) interferes with the microvascular response to iontophoretic drug delivery. Mechanisms resulting in CIV are likely different at the anode and at the cathode. While studies have been conducted to understand anodal CIV, little information is available on cathodal CIV. The present study investigates CIV observed following 0.1-mA cathodal applications on forearms of healthy volunteers and the possible mechanisms involved. Results are expressed in percentage of the cutaneous heat-induced maximal vascular conductance [%MVC (means ± SE)]. 1) The amplitude of CIV was proportional to the duration of cathodal currents for periods of <1 min: r = 0.99. 2) Two current applications of 10 s, with 10-min interstimulation interval, induced a higher peak value of CIV (79.1 ± 8.6% MVC) than the one obtained with all-at-once 20-s current application (39.5 ± 4.3% MVC, P < 0.05). This amplified vascular response due to segmental application was observed for all tested interstimulation intervals (up to 40 min). 3) Two hours and 3 days following pretreatment with 1-g oral aspirin, the CIV observed following cathodal application, as well as the difference of cathodal CIV amplitude between all-at-once and segmented applications, were reduced. These findings suggest a role of prostaglandins, not only released from endothelial or smooth muscle cells, as direct vasodilator and/or as a sensitizer. Thus aspirin pretreatment could be used to decrease CIV resulting from all-at-once and repeated cathodal application and facilitate the study of the specific vascular effect induced by the drug delivered.

Prostaglandin E2 induces vasodilation and pruritus, but no protein extravasation in atopic dermatitis and controls

BACKGROUND

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) has well-established vasodilatory effects, whereas its effects on protein extravasation and its sensory effects are less clear.

OBJECTIVE

Vasoactive effects of PGE(2) were correlated to its ability to evoke pain or itch in healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

METHODS

Intradermal microdialysis was used to apply PGE(2) (10(-8)-10(-4) M) via microdialysis capillaries in 8 patients and 8 controls. Large pore size membranes (3000 kd) enabled simultaneous analysis of protein extravasation. Itch and pain sensations were measured psychophysically, and superficial blood flow was measured by laser Doppler imaging.

RESULTS

PGE(2) dose dependently provoked intense local vasodilation, weak pruritus, and pain, but no protein extravasation. No differences were found between patients with AD and controls for any parameter.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that PGE(2) is a potent vasodilator and a weak pruritic agent in normal skin and in patients with AD, but does not provoke increased protein extravasation.

Vasodilatation in response to repeated anodal current application in the human skin relies on aspirin-sensitive mechanisms

The vasodilatation resulting from prolonged square-wave monopolar current application as used in iontophoresis is assumed to rely on an axon reflex. Involvement of prostaglandins in the anodal current-induced vasodilatation remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that prostaglandins participate in a sensitisation mechanism to current application rather than as direct vasodilators. In healthy volunteers, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was recorded in the forearm during and following isolated or repeated 0.1 mA transcutaneous anodal current applications, using deionised water as a vehicle. Segmented current applications of 6 or 12 mC resulted in an LDF increase twice that observed following current applications of comparable total charge delivered all at once (P < 0.05). Following a 1 min anodal application, a slow and prolonged LDF drift occurred (slope: 0.3 +/- 0.5 arbitrary units min(-1)). When the same current application was repeated after intervals of 5 and 20 min, an abrupt vasodilatation occurred, with maximal LDF amplitude of 53.5 +/- 34.0 and 48.2 +/- 19.1 arbitrary units, respectively. Pretreatment with 1 g oral aspirin abolished the abrupt vasodilatation to repeated current application but not the initial slow drift. We suggest that vasodilatation occurs through two parallel pathways: (1) a slow progressive drift of LDF of limited amplitude insensitive to aspirin pretreatment, and (2) an abrupt vasodilatation probably resulting from afferent fibre activation, appearing if a preliminary sensitisation by current application is performed. Sensitisation lasts for at least 20 min, and is blocked by aspirin, suggesting participation of prostanoids.

Topical acetyl salicylate and dipyrone attenuate neurogenic protein extravasation in rat skin in vivo

The effect of topically applied acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and dipyrone on capsaicin-evoked protein extravasation was investigated by dermal microdialysis in rat. After a baseline of 75 min, capsaicin (1%) was applied epicutaneously under occlusion for 75 min above the capillaries. Topical capsaicin stimulation induced neurogenic protein extravasation with a mean increase of protein concentration in the perfusate of 165+/-27% (mean+/-SEM; n=15), whereas in sham-stimulated sites protein concentration decreased to 73+/-7% of the prestimulation value (n=6). ASA (2-200 mg/ml) and dipyrone (3-300 mg/ml) dose-dependently reduced the capsaicin induced protein extravasation to 118+/-23% (ASA, 200 mg/ml; n=8) and 72+/-9% (dipyrone, 300 mg/ml; n=8) of the prestimulation value. ASA and dipyrone antagonized the excitatory effects of capsaicin on skin nociceptors and thus suppressed the neurogenic protein extravasation.

Topical acetylsalicylate attenuates capsaicin induced pain, flare and allodynia but not thermal hyperalgesia

The effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on capsaicin-evoked activation of cutaneous nociceptors was tested in a double blind study in 10 volunteers. Capsaicin (2% in ethanol) was applied topically for 30 min. Topical ASA (0.25 g/ml) reduced pain intensity and axon reflex flare size. Also, areas of secondary hyperalgesia to light touch and pin-prick were diminished. In contrast, capsaicin-induced heat hyperalgesia was unaffected by ASA. It is concluded that ASA counteracts the excitatory effects of capsaicin on nociceptors and mechanical hyperalgesia but not its sensitizing action to heat.

Axon-reflex-mediated vasodilatation in the psoriatic plaque?

Blood flow in the psoriatic plaque is increased, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. The aim of the present study was to examine whether neurogenic factors are important for blood flow regulation in the plaque. Local neurogenic mechanisms were inhibited by surface anesthesia and central nervous control by conduction anesthesia of nerves to the psoriatic plaque. The differences in skin perfusion before and after anesthesia were measured with a laser Doppler perfusion imager. The skin perfusion in psoriatic plaques located in hairy skin was unaffected by conduction anesthesia, but surface anesthesia of the plaque evoked a marked blood flow reduction. The perfusion in ultraviolet-B-irradiated skin, used as a control for nonspecific phenomena, was reduced after local application of indomethacin but was unaffected or increased after surface anesthesia. The results are compatible with the idea that a local neurogenic mechanism (axon-reflex) contributes to the high blood flow in the psoriatic plaque.

Clinical response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urate-crystal induced inflammation: a simultaneous study of intersubject and intrasubject variability

1. It is well known that an individual subject often responds preferentially to a particular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and clinical response to these drugs is characterised by considerable variability between individuals. Variability in response has often been attributed to the episodic nature of musculoskeletal disease. Few studies have studied intrasubject variability in response to these drugs using a multiple crossover design. A major difficulty has been the lack of objective, validated measures of inflammation sensitive to NSAIDs. The primary aim of the present study was to test the utility of urate-crystal induced inflammation as a tool to predict NSAID response in humans. 2. An inflammatory reaction was established in twenty-five healthy subjects with intradermal injection of urate crystals on four separate occasions separated by 1 week. Each subject was randomly assigned to receive either ibuprofen on two of these occasions (800 mg four times over 36 h) or matched placebo on the other two occasions using a double-blind, cross-over design. Decrease in the area under the wheal size-time curve was used to indicate anti-inflammatory response. 3. Peak inflammatory response was observed at about 32 h and had dissipated by 56 h post-urate injection. The logarithmic mean wheal area was significantly lower after ibuprofen (mean +/- s.e. mean; 6.74 +/- 0.09) compared with placebo (6.96 +/- 0.07 mm h); a difference of 20% (95% confidence interval for difference: 1 to 35%; P < 0.05). 4. There was marked intra- and intersubject variability in response to ibuprofen over the four treatment periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)