Pain-alleviating effects akin to opioids can be initiated by sex hormones.
Ultramodern approaches and age-old traditional methods have failed to alleviate the issue of chronic pain, which affects millions worldwide. Many patients continue to rely on opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), often unaware of their potential hazards. However, a scientific team at the University of California, San Francisco, has discovered a possible game-changer in how we manage chronic pain.
Their findings suggest a connection between hormones, immune cells, and the production of a natural opioid called enkephalin. Previously, the meninges, the protective tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, were believed to serve solely as protective barriers. The research team, however, discovered that the meninges contained T-reg cells, immune cells whose function remained unknown.
To explore these cells' role, the scientists disabled them in mice. Female mice, without their T-reg cells, became more sensitive to pain, while male mice did not experience such a change. The researchers subsequently found that the female hormones estrogen and progesterone prompted these immune cells to produce enkephalin, providing a potential explanation for the increased sensitivity to pain in female mice.
First author of the study, Elora Midavaine, expressed surprise at the discovery: "The fact that there's a sex-dependent influence on these cells—driven by estrogen and progesterone—and that it's not related at all to any immune function is very unusual."
The team is now exploring the possibility of engineering T-reg cells to consistently produce enkephalin for pain relief. Dr. Allan Basbaum, a co-author of the study, highlighted the potential impact: "If that approach is successful, it could really change the lives of the nearly 20% of Americans who experience chronic pain that is not adequately treated."
Further research is underway to understand the exact ways hormones and immune cells interact to produce enkephalin. This discovery, particularly its implications for women who have undergone menopause, may lead to novel and much-needed approaches for managing pain effectively.
The discovery of T-reg cells in the meninges by a University of California, San Francisco team has opened up possibilities for heart health and health-and-wellness, as these immune cells were found to produce a natural opioid called enkephalin that could potentially aid in managing chronic pain. In a surprising finding, the researchers discovered that female hormones estrogen and progesterone prompt T-reg cells to produce enkephalin, providing a possible solution for the increased sensitivity to pain in women. This research could potentially change the lives of millions who struggle with chronic pain by providing new techniques for pain relief, particularly benefiting the nearly 20% of Americans who experience chronic pain that is not adequately treated.
