Researchers develop safer, non-addictive approach for pain relief

Sharjah 24 – WAM: Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and China's Peking University have discovered how solvent molecules, particularly deuterated water (D₂O), modulate the TRPV1 ion channel, which plays a key role in detecting pain, to suppress pain signals, according to Russia Today.

Breakthrough

This breakthrough offers a potential pathway for non-addictive, effective pain management without compromising neurological function.

Enables real-time tracking of water

Led by Professor Xiaogang Liu from the NUS Department of Chemistry, the team developed an upconversion nanoprobe capable of distinguishing between ordinary water (H₂O) and deuterated water (D₂O). This advanced technology enabled real-time tracking of water dynamics at both the single-cell and single-molecule levels.

Findings

The study showed that when D₂O passed through the TRPV1 channel, it suppressed pain signal transmission and achieved effective analgesia.

Administering D₂O to pre-clinical models, the team successfully reduced both acute and chronic inflammatory pain transmission without affecting other neurological responses.