Transient receptor potential (TRP) protein is a superfamily of cation channels which have 6 transmembrane domains and mainly pass calcium ion through themselves. There are seven types of subfamilies in the TRP superfamily. TRP channels can be activated by various kinds of stimuli. Some TRP channels are polymodal receptors because two or more types of stimuli can activate the same type of TRP channels. TRP proteins can play roles in a living organism as receptors for sensing outside stimuli or inside local stimuli of itself, as signal conductors, or as signal transducers. Especially, TRP channels have key roles in thermosensation, mechanosensation, taste, trigeminal olfaction and nociception. Therefore, TRP channels can be important subjects of research in ENT field.
Calcium ; Ion Channels ; Nociception ; Nociceptors ; Proteins ; Smell ; Thermoreceptors ; Transducers

OBJECTIVETo discover the central mechanisms of antipyretic effect of moxibustion and its relationship with the acupoint sensor so as to provide the scientific evidence for "the treatment of heat syndrome with moxibustion".

METHODSEighteen New Zealand Rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups, named group A (modeling with intravenous injection of Endotoxin), group B (moxibustion at 40 degrees C after Endotoxin injection) and group C (moxibustion at 48 degrees C after Endotoxin injection), 6 rabbits in each one. The experiment was undergoing in the condition of muscular relaxation and artificial respiration for the animals. The spotlight moxibustion at constant temperature was applied to "Zhiyang" (GV 9). The discharge of heat sensitive neurons (HSNs) at the preoptic region and anterior hypothalamus (POAH) was taken as the index. The impacts of the treatment on HSNs were observed in each group.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONMoxibustion had significant antagonism to the pyrogen on its inhibition to the activity of HSNs in the thermotaxic center. As a result, the antipyretic effect was obtained. It is concluded that the effective result of moxibustion is achieved by stimulating polymodal receptors of acupoints.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Fever ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Rabbits ; Thermoreceptors ; physiopathology

The temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, is also called thermo TRP, including TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPM8 and TRPA1, which are expressed in sensory neurons and non-neuronal cells (e.g.keratinocyte, mast cell) of the skin. Thermo TRP channels are activated/sensitized by physical and chemical mediators, which participate in thermosensation and thermoregulation, so that they are key players in pruritus or pain pathogenesis. Thermo TRP channels are also involved in cutaneous neurogenic inflammation, thus they are regarded as molecular targets for future therapy in skin inflammation, pruritus and pain. In addition, following a basic syntax and molecular substrate of nociception and pruriception established by TRP channels-centered concept, the sensory categories can be distinguished and re-defined. Thermo TRP channels should be taken into account when analyzing the pathogenesis and management of itch or pruritic dermatosis.
Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Inflammation Mediators ; physiology ; Pruritus ; metabolism ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; metabolism ; Skin ; innervation ; metabolism ; Thermoreceptors ; metabolism ; Transient Receptor Potential Channels ; metabolism ; physiology