Capsaicin Used on Skin Influences Ion Transport Pathways: An in vitro Study

Abstract

Acute, adverse skin effects to capsaicin can be activated by inhibition of sodium transport not only in nociceptive neurons, but also in keratinocytes. The aim of the current study was to describe and compare immediate (15 s) and prolonged (30 min) effects of capsaicin on epidermal (not neural) sodium transport using a rabbit skin model. Skin fragments (n = 169) were incubated in 4 conditions: undisturbed ion transport (U; n = 48); inhibited sodium transport (I_Na; n = 34) with amiloride used as sodium transport blocker; long-term irritation by capsaicin with undisturbed ion transport (CAPSA-U; n = 43) and with inhibited sodium transport (CAPSA-I_Na; n = 35). After 30 min of incubation, a solution of capsaicin was applied directly to the skin fragments. The study demonstrated that sodium transport inhibition eliminated the effects of both immediate and prolonged capsaicin application. The results could be the basis for future research considering selective sodium transport inhibitors for human skin to reduce the side effects of capsaicin, related to activation of sodium channels in keratinocytes.

The influence of hydration status on ion transport in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) skin—An in vitro study

“…A properly moisturized skin parts did not show any significant response to mechanical and mechanical–chemical stimulation. A similar intensification of the transport of sodium ions has been observed in other studies in which the irritant substance, capsaicin, was applied on the prepared skin sample, leading to the release of neuromediators from nerve endings and thus acting analgesically [ 23 ]. However, the obtained PD values were significantly lower than those recorded by Barker at al [ 26 ].…”

“…High electric resistance in the skin reflects its physiological condition, health status and the content of each layer, as well as the degree of preservation of intercellular junctions and ability to bind water by the appropriate proteins released into the extracellular matrix [ 1 , 13 , 20 , 23 – 25 ]. The electric resistance of the skin depends on the integrity of the epidermis, preservation of tight junctions and activity of sweat glands, which is associated with maintaining the appropriate hydration level [ 1 , 20 ].…”

“…The measurements of electrophysiological parameters were conducted on skin specimens derived from the abdomens of 10 rabbits in a modified Ussing chamber [ 23 , 24 ]. The experiments were approved by Local Committee for Ethical Animal Experiments of the Universities of Bydgoszcz (permit No.…”

“…After the transepithelial potential (PD) was stabilized for the fragment, series of mechanical (with RH) and mechanical–chemical stimulation (with the solutions of ion transport inhibitors) were applied ( Fig 1 ). The measured parameters were obtained as described previously [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Effect of Propolis Preparations on Transepithelial Electrical Potential, Resistance, and Ion Transport in In Vitro Study

“…On the other hand there are a lot of publications about ions transport in isolated rabbit trachea, respiratory epithelium, large intestine or frog skin. Effect of irritant substance such us capsaicin and its influence on ion transport was described in the publication of Hołyńska-Iwan et al (2018) [34]. Similarly to the results of the obtained experiment, capsaicin causes some modification of the sodium ions transport, which in turn causes their inflow into the skin cells can improve skin hydration.…”