Advances in the study of the regulation and mechanism of purinergic P2X receptors in visceral pain

Visceral pain (VP) refers to pathological pain originating from the thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic regions. Characterized by poor localization and prolonged duration, VP significantly impacts the physical and mental health of patients. Unlike somatic pain, the neural pathways involved in visceral sensation are complex and the pathogenic factors are diverse, leading to incomplete understanding of the production and neural regulation mechanism of VP. Recent studies have identified widespread expression of P2X receptors across multiple systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems, and have demonstrated their important role in pain perception and modulation. Evidence suggests that aberrant purinergic signaling plays a critical role in the development and progression of VP, indicating that purinergic signal transduction has emerged as a potential novel therapeutic target for VP-related disorders. This review summarizes current advances in the regulatory mechanisms mediated by the P2X receptor family in VP, aiming to provide new insights for clinical management of VP.