Botulinum toxin type A reduces capsaicin-evoked pain and neurogenic vasodilatation in human skin

Pain. 2007 Jul;130(1-2):76-83. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.10.030. Epub 2006 Dec 27.

Abstract

The effect of Botulinum Toxin type A (BoNT/A) on pain and neurogenic vasodilatation induced by application to the human skin of thermal stimuli and capsaicin was evaluated in a double blind study. A capsaicin cream (0.5 ml of a 0.075%) was applied to the skin of both forearms of eighteen subjects randomly pretreated with either BoNT/A (Botox) or 0.9% saline (NS). Capsaicin was applied to a skin area either inside (protocol A) or adjacent to the BoNT/A treated area (protocol B). Pre-treatment with BoNT/A did not affect thermal-specific and thermal-pain thresholds (by quantitative sensory testing). However, capsaicin-induced pain sensation (by a visual analogue scale), flare area (by acetate sheet) and changes in cutaneous blood flow (CBF, by laser Doppler flowmetry) were reduced when capsaicin was administered inside (protocol A) the BoNT/A treated area. In Protocol B, capsaicin-induced pain was unchanged, and capsaicin-induced flare/increase in CBF were reduced only in the area treated with BoNT/A, but not in the BoNT/A untreated area. Results indicate that (i) BoNT/A reduces capsaicin-induced pain and neurogenic vasodilatation without affecting the transmission of thermal and thermal-pain modalities; (ii) reduction in capsaicin-induced pain occurs only if capsaicin is administered into the BoNT/A pretreated area; (iii) reduction in neurogenic vasodilatation by BoNT/A does not contribute to its analgesic action. BoNT/A could be tested for the treatment of conditions characterised by neurogenic inflammation and inflammatory pain.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage*
  • Capsaicin
  • Erythema / chemically induced
  • Erythema / drug therapy
  • Erythema / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuralgia / chemically induced
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy*
  • Neuralgia / physiopathology
  • Neuromuscular Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects
  • Skin / blood supply
  • Skin / innervation
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A
  • Capsaicin