European journal of pain : EJP
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Melittin is the main toxin of honeybee venom. Previously, we have reported that intradermal injection of melittin into the volar aspect of forearm in humans produces a temporary pain and a subsequent sustained increase in the skin temperature due to axon reflex. To clarify the interaction between nociceptive inputs and vascular changes, we studied the influence of noxious stimulation by intradermal melittin on the vasomotor control of the distal extremities in human volunteers. ⋯ The skin temperature in a finger/hand with lower preinjection value increased more markedly in the second phase. Consequently, the individual variation in the peak temperature of the second phase was less pronounced. The initial decrease was interpreted as sympathetic vasoconstrictor reflex induced by noxious stimulation and the later increase as release of sympathetic vasomotor tone.