Publications by authors named "B J Undem"

In mammals, many Hymenopteran stings are characterized by pain, redness, and swelling - three manifestations consistent with nociceptive nerve fiber activation. The effect of a Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom on the activation of sensory C-fibers in mouse skin was studied using an innervated isolated mouse skin preparation that allows for intra-arterial delivery of chemicals to the nerve terminals in the skin. Our data show that honeybee venom stimulated mouse cutaneous nociceptive-like C-fibers, with an intensity (action potential discharge frequency) similar to that seen with a maximally-effective concentration of capsaicin.

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Na1.7 plays a crucial role in inducing and conducting action potentials in pain-transducing sensory nociceptor fibres, suggesting that Na1.7 blockers could be effective non-opioid analgesics.

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Heightened excitability of vagal sensory neurons in inflammatory visceral diseases contributes to unproductive and difficult-to-treat neuronally based symptoms such as visceral pain and dysfunction. Identification of targets and modulators capable of regulating the excitability of vagal sensory neurons may lead to novel therapeutic options. genes encode K7.

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Respiratory viral infection can lead to activation of sensory afferent nerves as indicated by the consequential sore throat, sneezing, coughing, and reflex secretions. In addition to causing troubling symptoms, sensory nerve activation likely accelerates viral spreading. The mechanism how viruses activate sensory nerve terminals during infection is unknown.

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The influence of Na 1.9 on inflammatory mediator-induced activation of airway vagal nodose C-fibres was evaluated by comparing responses in wild-type versus Na 1.9-/- mice.

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