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Related Concept Videos

Nociception01:44

Nociception

Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain. Thus, pain helps the...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Pain01:20

Pain

Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects01:25

Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects

Acute inflammation produces a coordinated set of local and systemic changes that limit injury, eliminate pathogens, and initiate repair. These responses arise within minutes of infection, trauma, or chemical insult and are driven by vascular alterations and leukocyte-derived mediators. When the stimulus resolves, the reaction typically abates within days.Local EffectsAt the site of injury, arteriolar vasodilation increases blood flow, resulting in redness and warmth. Simultaneously, increased...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
08:50

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: June 25, 2013

Prostanoids in nociception and pain.

Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer1

  • 1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. zeilhofer@pharma.unizh.ch

Biochemical Pharmacology
|September 9, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Prostaglandins mediate inflammation and pain. New research explores alternative targets beyond NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, focusing on diverse prostaglandin pathways and receptors to understand their role in pain.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Prostaglandins, lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid, are crucial in inflammation and pain.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) target cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes for pain relief, but also cause side effects.
  • Selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) reduced gastrointestinal issues but raised cardiovascular concerns, prompting research into new targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse roles of prostaglandins, their synthases, and receptors in pain pathways.
  • To identify alternative therapeutic targets for pain management beyond traditional NSAIDs and coxibs.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the roles of various prostaglandin synthases and receptors.
  • Utilized genetically engineered mouse models for behavioral and electrophysiological studies.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
08:50

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: June 25, 2013

  • Examined the impact of targeting different components of the prostanoid synthetic pathway.

    • Main Results:

    • Uncovered significant diversity within the prostanoid synthetic pathway.
    • Identified specific prostaglandins, synthases, and receptors involved in pain signaling.
    • Provided new insights into the mechanisms of pain mediated by prostanoids.

    Conclusions:

    • The prostanoid pathway offers a rich landscape for novel pain therapeutics.
    • Understanding the specific roles of different prostanoid mediators and receptors is key to developing safer and more effective analgesics.