Vanilloid receptor 1 immunoreactivity in inflamed human bowel

Vanilloid receptor 1(VR1) is expressed by sensory neurons. Once activated, these neurons evoke the sensation of burning pain and release neuropeptides that induce neurogenic Inflammation. We used immunoblotting and immunostai ning to estimate the density of VR1 in colonic tissues of patients with inf lammatory bowel disease and of controls. Our study results indicate that VR 1 immunoreactivity is greatly increased in colonic nerve fibres of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, the discovery of new drugs t hat can bind the VRI receptor, or antagonise endogenous inflammatory substa nces that activate this receptor, could lead to new therapies for pain and dysmotility.