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.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md10020281 | DOI Listing |
Mar Drugs
November 2024
Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing, Xiamen 361021, China.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a neurotoxin that binds to sodium channels and blocks sodium conduction. Importantly, TTX has been increasingly detected in edible aquatic organisms. Because of this and the lack of specific antidotes, TTX poisoning is now a major threat to public health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hazard Mater
December 2024
College of Biological, Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China; Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Sensing, China. Electronic address:
Small-molecule biotoxins are frequently founded in grains, corns, peanuts, and different kinds of aquatic products, and they are harmful to human health. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have been widely used for on-site detection of small-molecule biotoxins. However, most of the reported LFIAs approaches are signal-off type because each small-molecule biotoxin only has one antigen binding site due to the small size of the molecule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFShokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi
December 2024
Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agenc.
Recently, an instrumental analysis using LC-MS/MS has been developed and validated for paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and tetrodotoxin (TTX) in bivalve molluscs in Japanese domestic and overseas. The method for 11 PSTs and TTX in scallops was validated in accordance with a previous report and CODEX-STAN. The samples were prepared by adding the standard mixture of PSTs and TTX to scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) homogenates, extracted with 1% acetic acid and then cleaned up using an ENVI-Carb (250 mg/3 mL) cartridge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Neurosci
December 2024
Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
An unusually large amplitude spontaneous miniature endplate potentials (gMEPPs) occur naturally at low frequency at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. Unlike the normal miniature endplate potentials (nMEPPs), these gMEPPs have long duration and long time to peak. More strikingly, gMEPPs seem to be independent of extracellular and intracellular Ca and have a greater temperature sensitivity than nMEPPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pediatr Surg
December 2024
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Introduction: Interferential current (IFC) has been studied in several clinical trials for the treatment of bowel motility disorders, most often in children. However, only moderate effects are reported, and in contrast to IFC, the so-called placebo application is indiscernible. The mechanisms and neuroanatomic points of action remain elusive.
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