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. 1983 Apr;78(4):665–669. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1983.tb09418.x

Topical capsaicin pretreatment inhibits axon reflex vasodilatation caused by somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in human skin

P Anand, SR Bloom, GP McGregor
PMCID: PMC2044739  PMID: 6133573

Abstract

1 Wheal and flare reactions are described following intradermal injections of somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and histamine in normal human forearm skin. Bombesin failed to produce a significant wheal and flare.

2 Pretreatment of skin with capsaicin in all cases dramatically inhibited the flare but not the wheal. This result is in accord with the hypothesis that capsaicin blocks the effector side of the axon reflex, perhaps by depleting nerve terminals of vasodilatory peptide(s).

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Selected References

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