acidic saline

Acidic saline is an experimental solution, typically consisting of 0.9% sodium chloride adjusted to a low pH (commonly pH 4.0 to 5.0), used as a translational model to study pain and hyperalgesia in humans and animals. By mimicking the tissue acidosis often found in inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis or muscle injury, it activates acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors on peripheral nociceptors. In clinical research, it is infused into structures like the infrapatellar fat pad or muscle to induce temporary pain, allowing researchers to evaluate pain intensity, referred pain areas, and mechanical sensitivity. It is not a therapeutic agent but a standardized tool for investigating nociceptive mechanisms and testing the efficacy of potential analgesics.

Other names

acidified salinepH 5 salinepH5 salinepH-5 salineacidic sodium chloride solution