Monday, February 15, 2010

New Type of Painkiller

A new type of painkiller, known as TRPV1 antagonists, has been developed. They function by blocking the transient receptor potential vannilloid-1 (TRPV1). Activation of this receptor is what causes painful sensations when eating hot peppers. Initially, these painkillers were not useful because while they blocked the TRPV1 receptor, they could also cause dangerous side effects such as hyperthermia. Dr. Romanovsky of the Barrow Neurological Institute led a research team to enhance the drugs to not include these harmful side effects. They concluded that the antagonist chemicals could block the TRPV1 receptor and not cause any dangerous side effects as long as they did not interact by blocking the proton activation of the receptor. This finding is very significant because scientists believe that this new type of painkiller can possibly help mitigate pain caused by an array of illnesses including cancer, AIDS, migraines and diabetes.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209123808.htm

Posted by Cullen Marshall

1 comment:

  1. It is interesting to see that new painkillers are constantly being created on a regular basis. The idea that now America has a pain killer that will help combat the side effect of a common hot pepper is nothing but extraordinary. Many people underestimate the power of modern scienist today, nonetheless scientist are working day in and out to help others in society. Like, referenced in this article pain is a common enemy of contemporary society and most people will do anything to live a painless long life. Know that new modern day pain killer are being invented without the scary side effects is nice. But I think that Medical research should honestly in my opinion first advertise the dangers of modern day pain killers, because to day it is the leading killer of drug overdose compared alongside cocaine and heroin. I digress, painkillers is a positive sign that doctors are researching possible cures for many uncurable disease and I know that in this generation we will see many cure found.

    Castro, Irwin

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