Hill R G, Oliver K R
Merck, Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, Terlings Park, Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR, UK.
Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2007(177):181-216. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-33823-9_7.
Neuropeptides and kinins are important messengers in the nervous system and--on the basis of their anatomical localisation and the effects produced when the substances themselves are administered, to animals or to human subjects-a significant number of them have been suggested to have a role in pain and inflammation. Experiments in gene deletion (knock-out or null mutant) mice and parallel experiments with pharmacological receptor antagonists in a variety of species have strengthened the evidence that a number of peptides, notably substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the kinins have a pathophysiological role in nociception. Clinical studies with non-peptide pharmacological antagonists are now in progress to determine if blocking the action of these peptides might have utility in the treatment of pain.
