• R P Willert, A R Hobson, C Delaney, K J Hicks, O E Dewit, and Q Aziz.
• GI Sciences Group, Manchester University, CSB, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
• Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 2007 Feb 1;25(3):309-16.

BackgroundSubstance P acting via the neurokinin-1 receptor is involved in the development of hyperalgesia, although studies using neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (NK-1RA) in human somatic pain have been disappointing.AimTo evaluate whether Substance P is involved in the development of human visceral pain/hyperalgesia using a selective NK-1RA.MethodsUsing a validated human model of acid-induced oesophageal allodynia, pain thresholds to electrical stimulation (mA) were measured in the proximal oesophagus and the foot (somatic control), pre- and for 4 h postdistal oesophageal acid in 14 healthy subjects, using a double-blind, randomized, two-period, crossover study. Measurements were taken on the third day of dosing with either an oral NK-1RA or matching placebo, with 2 weeks washout between periods.ResultsBaseline pain threshold did not differ between treatments (proximal oesophagus 37 +/- 7.4 mA NK-1RA vs. 38 +/- 10.1 placebo P = 0.81, foot 40 +/- 15 mA NK-1RA vs. 38 +/- 14 placebo P = 0.68). NK-1RA did not attenuate the reduction in pain threshold in the proximal oesophagus postacid infusion (AUC-394 +/- 279 NK-1RA vs. -262 +/- 397 placebo P = 0.54).ConclusionsThe lack of effect of NK-1RA on oesophageal pain threshold in our model does not support a role for Substance P in the development of acid-induced oesophageal allodynia.

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