Similarities and differences between responses of rat sensory neurons to heat (H) and capsaicin (C)
| Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|
| Co-segregation of C and H responses at whole-cell level | Weak correlation of amplitudes of C and H responses |
| Similar I–V curves (outward rectification) for whole-cell and single-channel currents | |
| Nonselective increase in cation permeability | PCa/PNagreater for C than H responses |
| C and H both elicit Ca uptake | Maximal Ca uptake greater for C than for H |
| C and H both induce single-channel events in excised patches | |
| Similar single-channel characteristics (amplitude, mean open time, substate level) | Segregation of sensitivity to C and H at single-channel level |