A 35-year-old man presents with a swollen, red, and exquisitely tender wound on his forearm. Which mediator of acute inflammation is most directly responsible for the sensation of pain at the site?
- A Bradykinin ✓
- B Histamine
- C Prostaglandin E2
- D Leukotriene B4
Correct answer: A. Bradykinin
Explanation
Bradykinin is a potent activator of pain nerve endings and is the most direct mediator of pain in acute inflammation. Histamine causes vasodilation and itching. Prostaglandin E2 sensitizes nerve endings to bradykinin but does not itself trigger pain. Leukotriene A4 is a chemoattractant, not a pain mediator.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.