Inhibition of TRPM8 channels reduces pain in the cold pressor test in humans.

The transient receptor potential (subfamily M, member 8; TRPM8) is a nonselective cation channel localized in primary sensory neurons, and is a candidate for cold thermosensing, mediation of cold pain, and bladder overactivity. Studies with TRPM8 knockout mice and selective TRPM8 channel blockers demonstrate a lack of cold sensitivity and reduced cold pain in various rodent models. Furthermore, TRPM8 blockers significantly lower body temperature.

The role of TRPM8 in the Guinea-pig bladder-cooling reflex investigated using a novel TRPM8 antagonist.

Patients with overactive bladder often exhibit abnormal bladder contractions in response to intravesical cold saline (positive ice-water test). The molecular entity involved in cold sensation within the urinary bladder is unknown, but a potential candidate is the ion channel, transient receptor potential (melastatin)-8 (TRPM8). The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of TRPM8 in a bladder-cooling reflex evoked in anaesthetised guinea-pigs that is comparable to the positive ice-water test seen in patients.

A bladder-cooling reflex in the anaesthetised guinea-pig: a model of the positive clinical ice-water test.

Introduction: In patients with detrusor hyperreflexia, intravesical instillation of ice-cold water results in the development of involuntary bladder contractions at volumes less than normal cystometric capacity. This is referred to as a positive ice-water test (+IWT) and can be reversed by vanilloid receptor agonists and potentiated by menthol. The present study was designed to investigate the existence of an analogous cooling reflex in the guinea-pig bladder that could be used as a small animal model in order to test the effects of drugs on the reflex.