Publications by authors named "A Ferrer-Montiel"

Introduction: TRPV1, a pivotal therapeutic target for chronic pain and pruritus, has been validated in the pathogenesis of several pathologies from diabetes to cancer. Despite the constellation of chemical structures and strategies, none of these molecules has yet been clinically developed as a new drug application due to safety concerns, particularly in thermoregulation. Thus, clinical development of TRPV1 modulators remains a challenge.

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Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is a prevalent drug side effect with unclear molecular mechanism and sex differences. We report that a 48-hour exposure of 1 µg·mL oxaliplatin potently and reversibly increased the excitability of IB4(+) male and female nociceptors. In females, oxaliplatin augmented spontaneous and tonic activity, increased the overshoot and amplitude of action potentials, depolarized the membrane potential, reduced the rheobase, and raised the firing frequency, primarily due to the depolarization of K currents and a mild up-regulation of TTX-resistant (TTX-r) Na currents.

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A growing body of evidence points to the existence of a crosstalk between the endovanilloid (EV)- and the endocannabinoid (EC) systems, leading to the concept of a single system based on a shared set of endogenous ligands and regulation mechanisms. The EV/EC system encompasses the ion channel TRPV1, the G protein coupled receptors CB1 and CB2, their endogenous ligands and the enzymes for biosynthesis and inactivation. Disorders in which the EV/EC interaction is involved are inflammation, pain, neurodegenerative diseases and disorders of bones and skin.

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Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition currently lacking treatment. Severe SCI causes the loss of most supraspinal inputs and neuronal activity caudal to the injury, which, coupled with the limited endogenous capacity for spontaneous regeneration, can lead to complete functional loss even in anatomically incomplete lesions. We hypothesized that transplantation of mature dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) genetically modified to express the NaChBac sodium channel could serve as a therapeutic option for functionally complete SCI.

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The protein transient receptor potential melastatin type 8 (TRPM8), a non-selective, calcium (Ca)-permeable ion channel is implicated in several pathological conditions, including neuropathic pain states. In our previous research endeavors, we have identified β-lactam derivatives with high hydrophobic character that exhibit potent and selective TRPM8 antagonist activity. This work describes the synthesis of novel derivatives featuring -terminal amides and diversely substituted '-terminal monobenzyl groups in an attempt to increase the total polar surface area (TPSA) in this family of compounds.

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