Blood protein reactions to ablation of capsaicin-sensitive neurons.

The effects of ablation of afferent neurons with neurotoxic doses of capsaicin (150 mg/kg) on protein levels in plasma fractions were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in Wistar rats at different times points after administration of capsaicin and in inflammatory reactions induced by zymosan (10 mg/100 g). Administration of neurotoxic doses of capsaicin induced biphasic changes in protein levels in plasma fractions. During the initial period (up to seven days), "acute-type" changes in protein content were seen; at 11-30 days, there were chronic increases in the albumin level with decreases in alpha(1), alpha(2), and gamma globulins. Defunctionalization of capsaicin-sensitive nerves 14-30 days before induction of inflammation prevented the "acute-phase" changes in protein contents in the albumin, alpha(1), alpha(2), and beta globulin fractions in response to induction of inflammation with zymosan.