Substance P contributes to spinal cord central sensitization induced by capsaicin

Unravelling the Mystery of Capsaicin: A Tool to Understand and Treat Pain

“…Willis, 2001 demonstrated that a heightened release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in response to capsaicin resulted in an increased activation of AMPA, NMDA, mGlu and NK1 receptors on second-order neurons. It was later shown that SP synthesis, as well as release, was amplified after injection and is also believed to contribute to sensitization of second-order neurons (Yan et al, 2005). Sun et al (2003) have since shown that CGRP is another important neuropeptide contributing to central sensitization.…”