Thanks to the willingness of 10 volunteers to let their arms burning hot sun, researchers at King's College London to obtain a deeper understanding of how pain works. The analysis conducted on the burn reveal the molecular role of CXCL5 increased significantly on the sunburned skin. This molecule controls the sensitivity to pain caused by sunburn.
The finding could pave the way toward new treatment methods. "I am delighted these findings may lead us to develop new kinds of analgesics for people who suffer from chronic pain," said Stephen McMahon, a professor of degenerative diseases at King's College London, who was involved in the study.
The study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine last week said it CXCL5 molecules not only stimulate pain receptors, but also attracts immune system cells to the wound site, which encourages the healing process. This is the first study to demonstrate the role of these molecules in relieving pain due to sunburn.
In the past, research on pain often face difficulties because of the research conducted on animals, like mice, not helping people. Many molecules that teriibat in the immune response to injury are different between species.
In this new study, researchers analyzed samples of human skin are sunburn and found that increased levels of CXCL5. They injected the molecules into the skin of mice. The animals become more sensitive to heat and touch around the injection area.
"We hope to identify potential targets, which can be used to understand more about pain in other inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and cystitis," McMahon said.*** [LIVESCIENCE | KORAN TEMPO 3587]
