Tetrodotoxin (TTX) as a therapeutic agent for pain.

Abstract

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). VGSCs play a critical role in neuronal function under both physiological and pathological conditions. TTX has been extensively used to functionally characterize VGSCs, which can be classified as TTX-sensitive or TTX-resistant channels according to their sensitivity to this toxin. Alterations in the expression and/or function of some specific TTX-sensitive VGSCs have been implicated in a number of chronic pain conditions. The administration of TTX at doses below those that interfere with the generation and conduction of action potentials in normal (non-injured) nerves has been used in humans and experimental animals under different pain conditions. These data indicate a role for TTX as a potential therapeutic agent for pain. This review focuses on the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting a potential analgesic role for TTX. In addition, the contribution of specific TTX-sensitive VGSCs to pain is reviewed.

• Authors: Francisco Rafael Nieto, Enrique José Cobos, Miguel Ángel Tejada, Cristina Sánchez-Fernández, Rafael González-Cano, Cruz Miguel Cendán
• Journal: Marine drugs (Mar Drugs) Vol. 10 Issue 2 Pg. 281-305 (Feb 2012) ISSN: 1660-3397 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 22412801 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Neurotoxins
• Protein Isoforms
• Sodium Channel Blockers
• Sodium Channels
• Tetrodotoxin

Topics

• Acute Pain (drug therapy, immunology, metabolism)
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Humans
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors, chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• Neuralgia (drug therapy, immunology, metabolism)
• Neurons (drug effects, metabolism)
• Neurotoxins (therapeutic use)
• Protein Isoforms (antagonists & inhibitors, chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• Sodium Channel Blockers (therapeutic use)
• Sodium Channels (chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• Tetrodotoxin (therapeutic use)