Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 May;124:124-136. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.011. Epub 2021 Feb 2.
Despite increasing progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology of pain, current management of pain syndromes is still unsatisfactory. The recent discovery of novel pathways associated with pain insensitivity in humans represents a unique opportunity to improve our knowledge on the pathophysiology of pain. Heme metabolism recently emerged as a crucial regulator of nociception. Of note, alteration of heme metabolism has been associated with pain insensitivity as well as with acute and chronic pain in porphyric neuropathy and hemolytic diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms linking heme to the pain pathways still remain unclear. The review focuses on the major heme-regulated processes relevant for sensory neurons' maintenance, peripheral and central sensitization as well as for pain comorbidities, like anxiety and depression. By discussing the body of knowledge on the topic, we provide a novel perspective on the molecular mechanisms linking heme to nociception.
尽管在理解疼痛的病理生理学方面取得了越来越多的进展，但目前对疼痛综合征的治疗仍不尽如人意。最近发现与人类无痛觉相关的新途径，为我们提高疼痛病理生理学的认识提供了一个独特的机会。血红素代谢最近成为疼痛感受的一个关键调节剂。值得注意的是，血红素代谢的改变与疼痛不敏感以及卟啉神经病和溶血性疾病中的急性和慢性疼痛有关。然而，将血红素与疼痛途径联系起来的分子机制仍不清楚。这篇综述重点介绍了与感觉神经元的维持、外周和中枢敏化以及疼痛合并症（如焦虑和抑郁）相关的主要血红素调节过程。通过讨论这一主题的现有知识，我们为血红素与伤害感受之间的分子机制提供了一个新的视角。
