Evidence that axons containing substance P in the guinea-pig ileum are of intrinsic origin

Substance P in nerve tissue in the gut

Substance P is present in intrinsic nerves in the intestine and in some extrinsic sensory nerves. It can be released from these nerves to act on the muscle layers and on other enteric neurons. Immunohistochemical studies show that the enteric substance P neurons are short and branch profusely to supply all intestinal layers. Pharmacological studies indicate that enteric substance P neurons receive inputs from enteric cholinergic interneurons. This suggests that these neurons are part of multineuronal nerve pathways in the intestine. The substance P neurons are not essential for the enteric reflexes which subserve peristalsis but they appear to modulate these reflexes.

Intrinsic innervation of the chicken lower digestive tract

We have studied the different components of the enteric nervous system in the rectum and cloaca of the chicken by means of histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. We found cholinergic neuronal bodies as well as nervous fibers, which constitute part of the Meissner and Auerbach plexuses. We also observed plentiful catecholaminergic fibers in both plexuses, though there were no catecholaminergic neuronal bodies. With respect to the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) positive peptidergic innervation, only positive fibers were found, which were less abundant than in the other zones of the gastrointestinal tract. The optic microscopy results were confirmed by electron microscopy.

Tachykinin receptors in gastrointestinal motility

For a long time research on the action of TKs on gastrointestinal tissue has been demonstrating the importance of the TKs as non-cholinergic stimulators of motility in most parts of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. The past years witnessed the development of TK agonists and antagonists selective for the various receptor types, which prompted a wealth of new insight into the pharmacology and molecular biology of the TK receptors. This knowledge now allows a more specific elucidation of the role of TKs and their receptors in the various aspects of gastrointestinal motility, not only in normal tissue but also under pathological conditions.

[Role of substance P in the nervous system control of digestive motility]

Substance P is a 11 amino-acids peptide which belongs to the tachykinins, a family of peptide which induces a rapid contraction of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract. The occurrence of substance P has been demonstrated by immunohistochemical and radioimmunological techniques in most parts of the central and peripheral nervous system. Substance P exerts on the smooth muscle of all the areas of the digestive tract a strong excitatory effect which is either direct or relayed by the cholinergic intramural neurones. Numerous electrophysiological, pharmacological and immunohistochemical data lead to the conclusion that substance P is released by intrinsic neurones of the digestive tract or by extrinsic nerves (vagus and splanchnic nerves, etc...). This release is enhanced by acetylcholine, cholecystokinin, serotonin and neurotensin, it is reduced by opioid peptides and noradrenaline. Substance P participates in the intestinal peristaltic reflex by the activation of the smooth muscle cells of the intestine, either directly or through the activation of the cholinergic intrinsic neurones. Substance P is also involved in the genesis of a non-cholinergic ascending excitatory activity likely occurring during vomiting. Lastly, substance P participates in the reflex contraction of the lower oesophageal sphincter following acidification of the distal part of the oesophagus.

Alterations in receptors for sensory neuropeptides in human inflammatory bowel disease

Glutamate and several neuropeptides are synthesized and released by subpopulations of primary afferent neurons. These sensory neurons play a role in regulating the inflammatory and immune responses in peripheral tissues. We have explored what changes occur in the location and concentration of receptor binding sites for sensory neurotransmitters in two human inflammatory diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, using quantitative receptor autoradiography. The sensory neurotransmitter receptors included bombesin, calcitonin gene-related peptide-alpha, cholecystokinin, galanin, glutamate, somatostatin, neurokinin A (substance K), substance P, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Of the nine receptor binding sites examined only binding sites for substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide were significantly altered in the inflamed tissue. These data suggest that substance P is involved in regulating the inflammatory and immune responses in human inflammatory diseases and indicate a specificity of efferent action for each sensory neurotransmitter in peripheral tissues.

Involvement of substance P neurons in contractions of canine small intestine produced by mesenteric nerve stimulation

Pathways for contractions of in vivo canine small intestine produced by mesenteric nerve stimulation (MNS) were studied. In intact and chronically sympathectomized dogs, contractions of jejunal and ileal segments were largely reduced by intra-arterial infusion of capsaicin (10-100 microM, 0.07 ml/min), substance P (SP) antagonist, (D-Pro4, D-Trp7.9) SP (4-11) (100 microM, 0.14 ml/min), hexamethonium (100-1000 microM, 0.07 ml/min) or atropine (100 microM, 0.07 ml/min). In chronically vagotomized dogs, capsaicin, SP-antagonist or atropine significantly reduced MNS-induced contractions, but hexamethonium did not. In dogs in which the coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglia had previously been removed, MNS caused no response although intra-arterial injection of 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP, 0.1 mumol) caused marked contractions. It may therefore be suggested that extrinsic SP neurons probably originating in spinal ganglia and intrinsic SP neurons receiving input from vagal preganglionic cholinergic neurons are involved in the excitatory pathways to MNS-induced contractions and that activation of these neurons excites myenteric cholinergic neurons, thereby causing contractions of the small intestine.

Contractions of the guinea-pig ileum evoked by stimulation of the submucous plexus

Neural pathways from the submucous plexus to the longitudinal muscle of an adjacent segment of isolated guinea-pig ileum were studied. It was found that electrical field stimulation of a strip of submucosa-submucous plexus produced frequency-dependent longitudinal contractions of an intact segment of intestine lying oral to the point of stimulation. The responses were reduced to less than 10% of control by tetrodotoxin, atropine, morphine and chymotrypsin and by desensitization to substance P (SP). The responses were only inhibited by one-third by hexamethonium and were not affected by desensitization to 5-hydroxytryptamine. The effect of desensitization to SP was reversible, but the effect of chymotrypsin was irreversible. SP-induced desensitization and chymotrypsin did not inhibit the twitch response produced by field stimulation of the whole ileal segment. The same results were observed with preparations made from ileal segments that had been extrinsically denervated. The results suggest that intrinsic neurons with processes in the submucous plexus can excite cholinergic and SP-containing neurons in the myenteric plexus, thereby causing the longitudinal muscle to contract.

Non-cholinergic ascending excitatory response in the cat small intestine: possible involvement of substance P

Using an electromyographic technique, an ascending excitatory response was recorded "in vitro" in the presence of atropine in the cat small intestine up to 70 mm orally with respect to the site of repetitive transmural nerve stimulation. This non-cholinergic ascending excitatory response was characterized by an increase in the slow wave amplitude and spiking activity. This response was reversibly abolished by Tetrodotoxin (3,1 X 10(-6) M) but remained unchanged after exposure of the intestine to: Hexamethonium (4,9 X 10(-6) M) plus Tubocurarine (1,4 X 10(-5) M), Guanethidine (5 X 10(-7) to 5 X 10(-5) M), Domperidone (2,3 X 10(-7) to 2,3 X 10(-5) M), Naloxone (3 X 10(-7) to 3 X 10(-5) M), Methysergide (2,8 X 10(-7) to 2,8 X 10(-5) M), Metergoline (2,4 X 10(-5) M), Methiotepin (2,1 X 10(-5) M) and Mepyramine (2,3 X 10(-5) M). This response was unaffected by the substance P analogues, D-Pro2, D-Phe7, D-Trp9-Substance P (10(-5) M) or D-Pro2, D-Trp7-9-Substance P (10(-5) M) but was reversibly abolished after exposure of the intestine to substance P (10(-6) M). Moreover substance P still effectively abolished this response in the presence of any two of the above analogues. The results of the present study show that the non-cholinergic excitatory response elicited in the cat small intestine due to the activity of long ascending pathways probably involved substance P. The functional significance of this response is discussed.

Presence of a substance P-like peptide in an acid extract of the intestinal bulb of the carp (Cyprinus carpio)

1. The effect of an acid extract of the carp intestinal bulb (ECI) on guinea-pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle (GPLM) and carp intestinal bulb longitudinal smooth muscle (CIBLM) was examined. 2. ECI caused a concentration-dependent contraction of GPLM and CIBLM. This ECI-induced response was reduced by atropine to 30-40% of the control, indicating that part of the contracting activity of ECI is attributable to acetylcholine. The atropine-resistant contracting activity of ECI was not mediated by histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, ATP, ADP, angiotensin II, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal peptide or an opioid peptide. 3. The active material mediating the atropine-resistant contracting activity is probably a peptide, because the contraction in response to ECI was abolished on incubation with pepsin or alpha-chymotrypsin. 4. [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]-substance P, [D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9]-substance P (4-11) decreased the atropine-resistant contracting activity of ECI as did desensitization induced by substance P. 5. On a Sephadex G 25 column, the active material was eluted as one peak. The active fractions were pooled and then applied to another Sephadex G25 column to compare the Ve/Vo value for the active material with those for peptides of known molecular weights. The molecular weight of the active material was estimated to be 1200-1700 (1410 +/- 70, n = 6). 6. The results indicate the presence of a substance P-like peptide in the carp intestinal bulb.

Receptor binding sites for substance P and substance K in the canine gastrointestinal tract and their possible role in inflammatory bowel disease

The mammalian tachykinins, substance P, substance K (neurokinin A) and neuromedin K (neurokinin B), are putative peptide neurotransmitters in both the brain and peripheral tissues. We used quantitative receptor autoradiography to localize and quantify the distribution of binding sites for radiolabeled substance P, substance K and neuromedin K in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Substance P binding sites were localized to smooth muscle cells in the muscularis mucosa and muscularis externa, the smooth muscle and endothelium of arterioles and venules, neurons in the myenteric plexus, mucosal epithelial cells, exocrine cells and lymph nodules. Substance K binding sites were distributed in a pattern distinct from substance P binding sites and were localized to smooth muscle cells in the muscularis mucosa and muscularis externa, the smooth muscle and endothelium of arterioles and venules, and neurons of the myenteric plexus. Neuromedin K binding sites were not observed in any area of the canine gastrointestinal tract although they were localized with high specific/non-specific binding ratios in the canine spinal cord. These results indicate that there are at least two distinct types of tachykinin receptor binding sites in the canine gastrointestinal tract, one of which probably recognizes substance P and the other substance K as endogenous ligands. In correlation with previous physiological data, these substance P and substance K receptor binding sites appear to be involved in the regulation of a variety of gastrointestinal functions including gastric motility, mucosal ion transport, hemodynamics, digestive enzyme secretion and neuronal excitability. In addition these results demonstrate that receptor binding sites for substance P and substance K are expressed by cells involved in mediating inflammatory and immune responses. These data, together with our studies on surgical specimens from patients with inflammatory bowel disease, suggest that in a pathophysiological state tachykinins and their receptors may play a role in inflammatory bowel disease and should permit a rational approach to designing neuropeptide antagonists which may prove effective in treating inflammatory diseases.

Innervation of airway smooth muscle. Efferent mechanisms

The classical view, with one excitatory (cholinergic) and one inhibitory (noradrenergic) component, of the innervation of airway smooth muscle is incomplete and at least two other, possibly peptidergic, types of innervation must be included when the innervation of airways is considered. A summary of these neuronal components is given in Fig. 1 and their possible origin is outlined. Besides the inhibitory noradrenergic innervation of the airways observed in some species, an inhibitory NANC (i-NANC) innervation has been demonstrated. The polypeptide, VIP, seems to be the most likely candidate for the neurotransmitter in the i-NANC innervation of the airways. The excitatory cholinergic innervation is present in the airways from the trachea down to the peripheral bronchi. In the guinea-pig bronchi an excitatory NANC (e-NANC) innervation has been demonstrated as well. The e-NANC nerves may correspond to chemosensitive primary afferent nerves with substance P or a related tachykinin as transmitter. When the innervation of airway smooth muscle of different mammalian species is compared it is evident that all nerve components except the cholinergic, show a considerable variability among species. The cholinergic innervation seems to be present in all mammalian species whereas the other components may be completely absent from some species. Distinct regional variations in the innervation of the airways may occur, which is exemplified by the distribution of the autonomic innervation in the guinea-pig tracheo-bronchial tree. Cholinergic neurotransmission in for example the guinea-pig and human airways can be modulated by NA via prejunctional inhibitory alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Furthermore, the e-NANC neurotransmission in the guinea-pig airways may be modulated by NA or by selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, acting via prejunctional inhibitory alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The clinical importance of the NANC innervation in relation to asthma is discussed. The i-NANC nerves may exert a modulating effect on bronchoconstriction, and a functional defect would presumably lead to an exaggerated response to constrictor stimuli. The e-NANC nerves in the airways may also be clinically relevant since the transmitter (tachykinins) from these nerves can produce bronchoconstriction and promote inflammation of the airway epithelium, either by direct mechanisms or indirectly by activation of mast cells, and thus contribute to the features of asthma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A pharmacological and immunohistochemical study of the splanchnic innervation of ileal longitudinal muscle in the toad Bufo marinus

A study was made of the innervation of the longitudinal muscle of the toad ileum with particular emphasis on the splanchnic innervation by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves. Nerve fibres containing substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) were observed in the gut wall and in the ileal wall after degenerative section of the splanchnic nerves. Incubation overnight in a high concentration of capsaicin (3 X 10(-4) M) caused degeneration of SP-LI fibres. No evidence was obtained for enteric neurons containing SP-LI. Substance P caused a contraction of the longitudinal muscle similar to that produced by nerve stimulation. The response to nerve stimulation was decreased by about 60% by treatment with alpha-chymotrypsin. Capsaicin normally evoked a contraction of the longitudinal muscle, but did not do so after degenerative section of the splanchnic nerves. Prolonged treatments with high concentrations of capsaicin (5 X 10(-5) M) abolished the excitatory response to nerve stimulation. The results suggest that substance P is the transmitter mediating the NANC contraction. The fibres releasing the transmitter are possibly antidromically activated, sensory afferents. Both transmural stimulation and capsaicin caused a NANC inhibition of longitudinal muscle. Stimulation of perivascular nerves after splanchnic nerve section caused a NANC excitation, as did transmural stimulation even after nerve section or capsaicin treatment.

Effect of desensitization induced by adenosine 5'-triphosphate, substance P, bradykinin, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid and endogenous noncholinergic-nonadrenergic transmitter in the guinea-pig ileum

The cholinergic and noncholinergic-nonadrenergic (NCNA) excitatory and inhibitory responses of the guinea-pig ileum to transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) were studied. Unlike the contraction induced by histamine and acetylcholine the responses to TNS, ATP, substance P, bradykinin, 5-HT and GABA were not sustained. The contraction and its fading during TNS involved the activation of cholinergic, adrenergic and NCNA neurons. Substance P, 5-HT and ATP desensitization resulted in reduction of the excitatory NCNA response whereas that due to bradykinin attenuated both the excitatory and inhibitory NCNA responses. The desensitization against TNS and the potential transmitters studies was selective except in the case of ATP. The present results suggest that it is unlikely that ATP, bradykinin or GABA would be the NCNA transmitters in the guinea-pig ileum. The cross-desensitization between the excitatory NCNA transmitter on the one hand, and substance P (markedly expressed) and 5-HT (slightly expressed) on the other hand, give further evidence in favor of the possible transmitter role of substance P-like peptide in excitatory NCNA transmission and of the role of 5-HT in the activation of NCNA neurons.

Evidence that sensory neurons participate in the non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic contractile response of the guinea-pig ileum

The possible role of non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic (NCNA) nerves in responses of the guinea-pig terminal ileum to transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) and that of sensory nerves in NCNA responses were investigated. The action of acetylcholine was almost abolished in the presence of histamine, whereas the contractions elicited by TNS were changed to frequency-dependent contraction followed by a secondary relaxation. Guanethidine did not alter the contractions or secondary relaxations. Atropine abolished the action of acetylcholine and transiently suppressed the responses to low (up to 2 Hz) and attenuated (by about 50%) those to high (4 to 20 Hz) frequency stimulation. The remaining complex NCNA response was the sum of the excitatory and inhibitory responses. During desensitization to capsaicin, and in its presence, the NCNA contractions were reduced, whereas the relaxations were not significantly enlarged. The present results suggest that besides the cholinergic innervation, the excitatory and inhibitory NCNA innervation also participates in the responses of the guinea-pig ileum to TNS even without suppression of cholinergic and adrenergic transmission, and that the sensory nerves are, at least to some extent, involved in the NCNA excitatory response.

Isolation of smooth muscle excitatory substances from chicken rectum and their characterization

Acid-acetone extracts of the chicken rectum were subjected to chromatographic and electrophoretic separation, and two new smooth muscle-contracting substances close to purity were obtained. One of them showed chemical and biological characteristics similar to those of substance P, but it was clearly different from substance P on the basis of chromatographic and electrophoretic criteria. Thus, one could be a peptide belonging to the substance P-family. The other substance was also shown to be of peptide nature since its biological activity was destroyed by chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase A. Parallel bioassay on the two tissues of the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum and the isolated whole chick rectum revealed that none of the peptides such as substance P, physalaemin, kassinin, eledoisin, bradykinin and angiotensin II could be a candidate for the active substance. The biological activity was not antagonized by naloxone, suggesting that the substance was a peptide other than the opioid compounds. The molecular sizes estimated by gel filtration are 1300 for the substance P-like peptide and 1600 for the other substance. The possible physiological roles of the two substances as an excitatory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic transmitter were discussed.

A comparison of the effects of three substance P antagonists on tachykinin-stimulated [3H]-acetylcholine release in the guinea-pig ileum

The potencies of three tachykinin antagonists [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]SP(4-11), [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]SP(1-11) and [D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]SP(1-11) (spantide) against eledoisin were examined in the guinea-pig ileum myenteric plexus, where a continuous superfusion system was employed to examine evoked release of [3H]-acetylcholine [( 3H]-ACh]); effects on mechanical activity of the preparations were also measured. Eledoisin was chosen as the standard tachykinin agonist since the rank order of potency observed in evoking release was eledoisin, kassinin, substance P, physalaemin; on this basis is may be presumed that an 'SP-E' type receptor was involved in the release process. The two undecapeptide antagonists both significantly reduced the response to eledoisin (10 nM) as assessed by both [3H]-ACh release and mechanical activity which under these conditions was largely dependent on ACh release, and the response levels could be restored by increasing the concentration of eledoisin to 100 nM. The pA2 values for the two antagonists were estimated as 5.3 for [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]SP(1-11) and 5.2 for [D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]SP(1-11). [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]SP(4-11) was markedly less potent with a pA2 value of less than 4.8. All three antagonists possessed considerable inherent stimulatory activity as measured both by [3H]-ACh release and mechanical activity, [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]SP(4-11) being the most active in this respect, a 10 microM concentration producing 50% of the response seen with 10 nM eledoisin. These findings are discussed both in relation to tachykinin receptor classifications and limitations in the use of such antagonists in the study of the role of tachykinins in neurotransmission.

Multiple tachykinins (neurokinin A, neuropeptide K and substance P) in capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons in the guinea-pig

The occurrence of tachykinins in sensory neurons of the guinea-pig was studied by means of radioimmunoassay combined with ion-exchange and high-performance liquid chromatography as well as by immunohistochemistry. Antisera raised against kassinin (antiserum K12), neurokinin A (NKA) (antiserum NKA2) and substance P (SP) (antisera SP25 and SP2) were used. Antiserum K12 detected NKA, neuropeptide K (NPK) and a component eluting in the position of eledoisin (ELE) in extracts of the lung and ureter. Neurokinin B (NKB) was, however, not found. Neutral water extraction favored recovery of NKA and of the ELE-like component, while NPK was found only in acid extracts. The SP antisera detected two immunoreactive components of which the major form coeluted with synthetic SP. Capsaicin pretreatment depleted all these various forms of immunoreactivity in several peripheral organs including the ureter and lung. The immunoreactivity detected by antisera K12 or SP25 in radioimmunoassay had a similar regional distribution pattern in peripheral tissues. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that antiserum NKA2 stained the same spinal ganglion cells as the SP2 antiserum. The distribution of capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibers stained by these two antisera was also identical in peripheral organs such as the ureter, inferior mesenteric ganglion, heart and lung. It is concluded that multiple tachykinins, including SP, NKA, NPK and an ELE-like peptide, are present in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves in the guinea-pig. This finding can most likely be related to the origin of SP, NKA and NPK from the same precursor molecule, subsequent posttranslational tissue processing and axonal transport to terminal regions.

Possible involvement of substance P in the contraction produced by periarterial nerve stimulation in the rat ileum

The effect of substance P (SP) on the contractile responses produced by periarterial (mesenteric) nerve stimulation was studied in the rat isolated ileum. Periarterial nerve stimulation at 1-50 Hz, with 10 V (maximum) and 0.2 msec pulse duration, for 15-20 sec, produced frequency-dependent contractions in the rat ileum. In the presence of guanethidine (10 microM) and 6-hydroxydopamine (1 microM), to block noradrenergic responses, periarterial nerve stimulation at 1-20 Hz still produced small contractions which were reduced by atropine (1 microM) and morphine (1 microM). In the presence of atropine, morphine, guanethidine and 6-hydroxydopamine, the contraction produced by periarterial nerve stimulation was readily abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM), capsaicin (3.3 microM) and an SP-antagonist (SPA1, 10 microM). SP in low concentrations (0.01-1.0 microM) potentiated the contractions produced by periarterial nerve stimulation at 1-2 Hz by 20-30%. High concentrations of SP (1.0-10.0 microM) reduced the contractile response by 40-50%. Indomethacin (2.8 microM) amd mepyramine (1 microM) had no effect on these responses. When the mesenteric nerve supply to the gut was cut, periarterial nerve stimulation produced no contraction in the rat ileum. However, SP in low concentrations, still produced small contractions which were abolished by an SP-antagonist but not by tetrodotoxin. SP in low concentrations, slightly increased the contractions produced by ACh (0.5-50 microM) or TEA (2.4-12 mM). High concentrations of SP significantly reduced the ACh and TEA-induced contractions in the rat ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Substance P enteric neurons mediate non-cholinergic transmission to the circular muscle of the guinea-pig intestine

The sites of action and possible roles of substance P in contracting the circular muscle of the guinea-pig ileum were studied using two analogues of substance P that act as antagonists of some of its actions. These are D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11-substance P and D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9-substance P, referred to by the single letter amino acid codes for the substituting amino acids as (RPWWL)-SP and (PWW)-SP, respectively. Records of circular muscle activity were taken from strips of intestine free of mucosa and submucosa and from rings with all layers of intestine intact. Substance P was equally effective in contracting the circular muscle strips as it was in contracting the longitudinal muscle. The contractions of strips were not blocked by hyoscine (2 X 10(-6) M) or tetrodotoxin (6 X 10(-7) M), but were substantially reduced by (RPWWL)-SP (6.7 X 10(-6) M) or (PWW)-SP (2 X 10(-5) M). In contrast, contractions of the circular muscle of whole rings of intestine elicited by low concentrations of substance P (4 X 10(-7) M) were blocked by hyoscine or tetrodotoxin but not reduced by the substance P antagonists in the concentrations referred to above. These observations indicate that the antagonists are effective at receptors for substance P on the muscle, but not at substance P receptors on enteric cholinergic nerves. Transmural stimulation of strips of circular muscle or of intestinal rings in the presence of hyoscine evoked contractions that were blocked by tetrodotoxin. These hyoscine-resistant, nerve-mediated contractions could be elicited by single pulses in the strips.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the enteric neurons of the large colon of normal and amitraz-treated ponies: an immunocytochemical study

The distribution of the putative motor excitatory neurotransmitter, substance P, was studied immunocytochemically in the left dorsal colon of four normal control ponies and three ponies with amitraz-induced impaction colic. Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the control ponies was observed in nerve fibres in all layers of the bowel wall and in the nerve cell bodies of the enteric ganglia. The substance P-like immunoreactivity was clearly more intense in the cell bodies of submucosal ganglia than in those of the myenteric ganglia. The internodal nerve strands of the myenteric plexus were very rich in substance P-like immunoreactivity and within the ganglia they formed dense varicose networks around the neuronal cell bodies. Nerve bundles rich in substance P-like immunoreactivity diverged inward from the myenteric plexus to contribute an abundance of varicose immunoreactive fibres to the circular muscle of the tunica muscularis. Nerve fascicles with substance P-like immunoreactivity were sparse in the longitudinal muscle except in the thickened taenial band. In the submucosa many of the nerve fibres with substance P-like immunoreactivity appeared to arise from ganglionic cell bodies. Immunoreactive fibres commonly condensed around arterial vessels in the submucosa. Fine immunoreactive nerve fascicles from the submucosal plexus also projected internally to supply the muscularis mucosae and form periglandular arrays in the lamina propria. The distribution of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the normal equine colon differed in some respects from patterns observed in large intestines of other mammals. When the colons of normal and amitraz-treated ponies were compared no differences were discerned in the distribution or intensity of substance P-like reactivity.

Embryonic origin of substance P containing neurons in cranial and spinal sensory ganglia of the avian embryo

The ontogeny of the neurons exhibiting substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) was examined in the spinal and cranial sensory ganglia of chick and quail embryos. It was shown that in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) virtually all neuronal somas occupying the mediodorsal (MD) region of the ganglia are SPLI-positive while the larger neurons of the lateroventral (LV) area are SPLI-negative. In the cranial nerve ganglia, both types of neurons coexist in the trigeminal ganglion but with a different distribution: small neurons with SPLI are proximal while large neurons without SPLI occupy the maxillomandibular and ophthalmic lobes. The distal ganglia of nerves VII and IX (i.e., geniculate, petrosal) do not show cell bodies with SPLI in the two species considered. A few of them only (about 12%) are found in the nodose (distal ganglion of nerve X). The proximal ganglia of nerves IX and X (i.e., superior-jugular complex) are composed of small neurons which virtually all exhibit SPLI. Chimaeric cranial sensory ganglia were constructed by grafting the quail hind-brain primordium into chick embryos. Revelation of SPLI was combined with acridine orange staining on the same sections in order to ascertain the placodal (chick host) or neural crest (quail donor) origin of the SP-positive neurons in each type of ganglion. We found that all the neurons showing SPLI are derived from the neural crest in the trigeminal and in the superior and jugular ganglia. In the geniculate, petrosal, and nodose all the neurons are derived from the placodal ectoderm. The small number of SPLI-positive cells of the nodose ganglia are not an exception to this rule. Therefore, generally speaking, the sensory neurons of the cranial ganglia that express the SP phenotype are derived from the crest, with the exception of some neurons present in the nodose of both quail and chick embryos and which are of placodal origin. The vast majority of placode-derived neurons do not have amounts of SP that can be detected under the conditions of the present study.

In vivo demonstration of alpha-2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of the excitatory non-cholinergic neurotransmission in guinea pig airways

In anaesthetized guinea pigs, vagal nerve stimulation caused an atropine- and hexamethonium-resistant increase in the respiratory insufflation pressure. Clonidine (0.05 mg/kg i.v.) inhibited the increase in insufflation pressure caused by vagal stimulation. This effect of clonidine was antagonized by the alpha-2-antagonist yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.), but not by the alpha-1-antagonist prazosin (0.03 mg/kg i.v.). In conclusion, the increase in the respiratory insufflation pressure, caused by stimulation of noncholinergic nerves, seemed to be controlled by inhibitory alpha-2-adrenoceptors in guinea pig airways.

A smooth muscle excitatory material from the nerve of Remak of the chicken rectum

The chicken rectum receives a powerful excitatory innervation of nonadrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves via the Remak nerve which is a ganglionated nerve trunk in the fowl vicera. To extract a smooth muscle excitatory material from the Remak nerve, tissue samples were boiled in 0.01 N HCl at 100 degrees C for 5-7 min, homogenized, and centrifuged. Aliquots of supernatant were defatted with petroleum ether and lyophilized. The lyophilized residue dissolved in water (ERN) was bioassayed for contracting activity on the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum and, if needed, the isolated whole chick rectum. Approximately half of the contacting activity of ERN was attributable to acetylcholine. The remainder was found to be mediated by neither histamine, serotonin, angiotensin II nor prostaglandins (E1, E2 and F2 alpha). The ERN activity was abolished by 2-3 min boiling in alkali and 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C with pepsin, but sustained after boiling in acid, indicating that the mediator of the contracting activity is probably a peptide. Active fractions were obtained with one peak after gel filtration with Sephadex G-50. They were pooled and applied to a Sephadex G-25 column. The Ve/Vo values for the active material ranged from 1.69 to 1.85, indicating that it has a molecular weight of 1000-1300 by comparison with Ve/Vo values for peptides of known molecular weights applied to the same column.

Innervation of the muscularis mucosae of canine proximal colon

The innervation of the muscularis mucosae of the canine large intestine was studied in vitro using superfusion and radioimmunological techniques. In the majority of preparations, electrical field stimulation (10 V, 200 microseconds, 10 Hz) elicited a biphasic neurogenic response which consisted of a contraction followed, after cessation of the stimulus, by relaxation. Electrical field stimulation released VIP-, substance P- and bombesin-like immunoreactivity. Release of these peptides and the biphasic response to nerve stimulation were blocked by tetrodotoxin and a 'calcium-free' solution. Several observations suggest that neuronally released substance P (or a closely related peptide) mediated the contraction by a direct action on the muscle. The contraction caused by substance P was tetrodotoxin insensitive. Desensitization to substance P abolished the excitatory response to nerve stimulation. The contraction elicited by nerve stimulation was blocked by substance P antiserum. Several observations suggest that bombesin or a closely related peptide caused contraction of the muscle by releasing substance P from intramural neurones. Bombesin caused an increase in substance P-like immunoreactivity in the superfusate which was blocked by tetrodotoxin, as was the contraction; substance P antibodies blocked the contractile response to bombesin. In addition, while the excitatory response to electrical nerve stimulation was blocked by substance P antiserum, there was still an increase in bombesin-like immunoreactivity in the superfusate. The data also suggest that VIP or a closely related peptide might have mediated the relaxation by a direct action on the muscle. The inhibitory response to nerve stimulation was mimicked by VIP and abolished by VIP antiserum.

Neuropeptide action on the guinea-pig bladder; a comparison with the effects of field stimulation and ATP

A comparison was made between the effects of several neuropeptides and ATP as possible mediators of the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic excitatory response in detrusor strips from the guinea-pig urinary bladder. Both substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide produced contractions of the guinea-pig bladder, but the form of the atropine-resistant neurogenic excitation was mimicked more precisely by ATP. Neither methionine enkephalin nor leucine enkephalin had a prominent direct action on the smooth muscle (up to 100 microM) and did not significantly modify the cholinergic or non-cholinergic components of the response elicited by field stimulation. A proteolytic enzyme, chymotrypsin (10 U/ml), antagonised the excitatory effect of substance P, but not that of the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic excitatory response or ATP. The slow excitation elicited by a high concentration of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (10 microM), in contrast to responses elicited by ATP or field stimulation, was attenuated by preincubation with the structurally related polypeptide PHI, which was itself inactive (up to 10 microM). The present observations argue against a role for the peptides studied as neuromuscular transmitters in the detrusor but do not preclude such a role for ATP.

Comparison of potency of substance P and related peptides on [3H]-acetylcholine release, and contractile actions, in the guinea-pig ileum

A range of tachykinins including substance P were studied for their ability to contract the guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle preparation on brief exposure (20S) to the peptides, and their ability to evoke the release of [3H]-acetylcholine (ACh) from previously labelled stores within the myenteric plexus. With respect to their immediate spasmogenic activity, none of the peptides differed greatly in potency from substance P. Atropine did not modify the response to the tachykinins suggesting that the release of ACh does not contribute to the contraction resulting from brief exposure to the peptides. In the release studies, all tachykinins used produced a dose-related, calcium-dependent release of [3H]-ACh but the differences in potency were much greater. Eledoisin was the most potent and its evoked release of ACh was unaffected by hyoscine, hexamethonium, guanethidine and naloxone suggesting the release is not mediated via, or modulated by, opiate or autonomic neuronal influences. The two orders of tachykinin potency found suggest that the two processes, initial contraction and ACh release, may be principally mediated via two distinct subclasses of substance P receptor designated SP-P and SP-E respectively.

Tripeptides acting on opioid receptors in rat colon

The tripeptides SD-34 and SD-25 induced atropine-, guanethidine-, antihistaminics-resistant but naloxone-sensitive contractions of isolated rat distal colon. They appeared to act on an opioid receptor, probably of the mu subtype, distinct from those for methionine enkephalin and morphine, because the pA2 values of naloxone for the peptides were similar to those for mu-agonists but different from those for methionine enkephalin and morphine, and because the peptides caused contractions of colon that had been desensitized to morphine. Mr 2266, a supposed kappa-antagonist, inhibited the actions of the peptides, ethylketocyclazocine and dynorphin at concentrations much lower than those inhibiting the actions of methionine enkephalin and morphine. Thus these peptides seem to act on the mu- and/or kappa-receptors. The actions of the tripeptides were inhibited by methysergide and methylergometrine, but not by the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin, and were not affected by 5-HT or substance P autodesensitization . Thus their actions do not seem to involve 5-HT, histamine, ACh or substance P. It seems likely that the tripeptides, through opioid receptors, directly activate the muscle, or remove some inhibitory modulation of myogenic activity, thus causing contractions.

Characterization of the stimulus-induced release of immunoreactive substance P from the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig small intestine

The release of immunoreactive substance P (I-SP) from the myenteric plexus of the isolated guinea-pig small intestine and some of its characteristics have been investigated. Depolarizing stimuli, i.e. elevation of the extracellular K+ concentration or electrical field stimulation, increased the release of I-SP, the extent of the increase being dependent on the strength of the stimulus. Omission of Ca2+ from the bath medium prevented the stimulus-induced release of I-SP. Tetrodotoxin inhibited only the increase in I-SP release brought about by electrical stimulation but not that caused by elevated K+ concentrations. Gel exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-25 showed that all the I-SP released by depolarization was co-eluted with authentic substance P. The methionine enkephalin analogue FK 33-824 significantly reduced the stimulus-induced release of I-SP, an effect that was prevented by the opiate antagonist naloxone. Naloxone alone significantly enhanced the stimulus-induced release of I-SP, which suggests that endogenously released opioid peptides also exert an inhibitory action on myenteric substance P-containing neurons. Putative excitatory neurotransmitters of the myenteric plexus, such as acetylcholine, bombesin, cholecystokinin octapeptide, and neurotensin, stimulated the release of I-SP in a tetrodotoxin-sensitive manner, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine seemed ineffective. Capsaicin, known to release substance P from sensory neurons, also failed to alter the release of I-SP. The finding of a Ca2+-dependent release of I-SP caused by depolarizing stimuli further supports the concept that substance P is a neurotransmitter within the myenteric plexus. The activity of myenteric substance P-containing neurons appears to be controlled by a number of other putative enteric neurotransmitters.

Development of VIP in the peripheral nervous system of avian embryo

The distribution of the VIP containing structures was studied in the gut and in the paravertebral sympathetic ganglia of the quail and chick embryos by immunocytochemistry. In the gut, development of peptidergic nerves followed a craniocaudal gradient. Immunoreactive fibres were first visible in the oesophagus at day 9 in the quail and day 10 in the chick, at 12 days they extended over the whole length of the gut. Cell bodies were localized at day 9 in the foregut and observed in the mid- and hind-gut just before hatching. Transplantations on the chorioallantoic membrane of fragments of various parts of the digestive tract clearly demonstrated that VIP nerve cell bodies belonged to the intrinsic innervation of the gut. Besides the gut, sympathetic paravertebral ganglia contained cells with VIP immunoreactivity detected at day 9 and 10 in quail and chick respectively. In order to find out whether VIP containing neurons differentiated normally in chick embryos in which quail neural crest cells had been implanted at an early stage of development we looked for the appearance of peptidergic neurones in the following situations: when the quail neural primordium had been grafted orthotopically and isochronically into chick host (1) at the adrenomedullary (somites 18-24) and (2) at the vagal (somites 1-7) levels of the neural axis. In all conditions VIP immunoreactivity was observed in quail cells located either in the sympathetic paravertebral ganglia of the trunk at the level of the graft or in the enteric ganglia according to the graft was made at the adrenomedullary and vagal levels respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-affinity 3H-substance P binding to longitudinal muscle membranes of the guinea pig small intestine

The binding of 3H-substance P (3H-SP) to longitudinal muscle membranes of the guinea pig small intestine has been characterized. The binding of 3H-SP exhibited a high affinity (Kd = 0.5nM). It was saturable (Bmax = 2 fmoles/mg tissue), reversible, and temperature-dependent. Kinetic studies and competition of 3H-SP binding by unlabeled SP yielded Kd and Ki values, respectively, which were in good agreement with the Kd calculated from saturation studies. The binding of 3H-SP appeared to be dependent on the presence of divalent cations in the incubation buffer. It was displaced by SP and various analogs and fragments in the rank order of SP greater than SP-(2-11) = SP-(3-11) greater than Nle11- SP = physalaemin greater than SP-(4-11) greater than SP-(5-11) greater than eledoisin much greater than SP-(7-11). Our results indicate that 3H-SP binds in longitudinal muscle of the guinea pig small intestine to a biologically relevant receptor which in many respects resembles the SP receptor characterized in the brain and the salivary gland of the rat.

Effect of substance P on non-cholinergic fast and slow post-stimulus depolarization in the guinea-pig ileum

Membrane potentials were recorded with intracellular electrodes from the circular muscle cells of the guinea-pig ileum, in vitro, in the presence of atropine (1.4 X 10(-6) M) at 30 degrees C. Under such conditions, the preparations did not show any spontaneous activity. Exposure of the tissue to substance P (10(-7)-10(-6)M) for a short period of time (less than 5 min) caused depolarization and action potentials. At this time the membrane resistance appeared to be decreased and after transmural nerve stimulation the fast post-stimulus depolarization, which followed the inhibitory junction potential (IJP), triggered action potentials. After prolonged exposure of the tissue to substance P (greater than 10 min), the contractile activity of the preparation subsided, the membrane potential was decreased by 6.4 +/- 1.1 mV and the membrane resistance was increased; following transmural nerve stimulation, the amplitude of the IJP was increased, the fast post-stimulus depolarization was abolished and the later slow post-stimulus depolarization was enhanced and in some preparations reached threshold for action potential generation. In the latter preparations in the absence of transmural nerve stimulation, the membrane potential occasionally showed regular oscillations of approximately 10 mV in amplitude every 5-8 s. When the tissue was hyperpolarized by anodal current, after prolonged exposure to substance P, the fast post-stimulus depolarization did not return indicating that its abolition was not a secondary effect due to the depolarization of the tissue by substance P.

The effects of putative non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic autonomic transmitters on isolated strips from the stomach of the rainbow trout. Salmo gairdneri

1. The effects of some putative non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic transmitters have been studied on longitudinal and circular smooth muscle from the stomach of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. 2. ATP, adenosine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on certain occasions inhibited the activity of the stomach smooth muscle; ATP and adenosine only circular muscle. VIP both longitudinal and circular muscle. 3. Neurotensin produced a contraction, which in strips from the cardiac stomach in most cases occurred after the exposure to the peptide; this might be a rebound contraction after an inhibition which could not be recorded with the experimental set-up. 4. Bombesin, 5-hydroxytryptamine and substance P produced dose-dependent contractions over a wide dose range. Somatostatin and enkephalin contracted the preparations only in the highest doses tested (10(-9) moles, 10(-8) moles). 5. Atropine did not reduce or abolish the response to any of the substances tested, indicating that their effects are not via cholinergic neurons, which innervate the smooth muscle. 6. Of the substances tested ATP, adenosine, VIP and neurotensin may be involved in the inhibitory vagal non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic innervation of the rainbow trout stomach.

A study of the concentrations of substance P and neurotensin in the gastrointestinal tract of various mammals

Immunoreactive substance P and neurotensin in extracts of the digestive tract of man, cat, guinea-pig, pig, rabbit, and rat were measured by radioimmunoassay using antisera directed against the C-terminal portions of the two peptides. In all species except the cat, the concentrations of substance P were highest in the small intestine, intermediate in the large intestine and lowest in the stomach and oesophagus: the digestive tract of the cat displayed a rather even distribution of substance P. As observed in the ileum of guinea-pig, rabbit, and rat, the external muscle layer including the myenteric plexus contained 2-5 times higher concentrations of substance P than the whole ileal wall, whereas the substance P concentrations in the mucosa were only about one sixth of those in the whole wall. High performance liquid chromatography of extracts of human, feline and rabbit ileum showed that all the immunoreactive substance P eluted at the positions of substance P and substance P sulfoxide. The distribution of immunoreactive neurotensin along the digestive system of all six species was very similar. The highest concentrations of neurotensin were measured in the distal part of the small intestine, whereas the large intestine, stomach and oesophagus contained only low concentrations of neurotensin relative to the concentrations in the ileum. As examined in the ileum of guinea-pig, rabbit, and rat, the mucosa exhibited 2.5-4 times higher concentrations of neurotensin than the whole ileal wall, while the concentrations of neutrotensin in the external muscle layer including the myenteric plexus were only 4-20% of those in the whole wall. High performance liquid chromatography of the immunoreactive neurotensin extracted from the cat ileum yielded a single peak corresponding to neurotensin while the immunoreactive neurotensin extracted from the ileum of man and rabbit was eluted in two peaks, 55 and 72% of the recovered immunoreactivity, respectively, corresponding to neurotensin. These findings are in line with the proposed roles of substance P in the neural, and neurotensin in the endocrine, control and maintenance of gastrointestinal motility.

The nature of non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic transmission in longitudinal and circular muscles of the guinea-pig ileum

1. The nature of the non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic (non-ch., non-adr.) excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the guinea-pig ileum was investigated, and the effects of various agents on the junction potentials were observed using the micro-electrode method.2. In longitudinal muscle cells, ATP (3 x 10(-5)-10(-4) M) and adenosine (10(-5)-10(-4) M) depolarized the membrane, decreased the input resistance, increased the spike activity and abolished the generation of cholinergic excitatory junction potentials (e.j.p.s).3. In the presence of atropine (10(-6) M) with guanethidine (10(-5) M), field stimulation evoked three different types of the response (non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s, i.j.p.s (inhibitory junction potentials) or both) from cells of the longitudinal muscle layers, and only one type of the response (non-ch., non-adr. i.j.p.s) from cells of the circular muscle layer. In the following experiments atropine and guanethidine were present in the bathing fluid for at least 20 min.4. In some longitudinal muscle cells (non-ch., non-adr. i.j.p. type), ATP (5 x 10(-6)-10(-3) M) and adenosine (10(-5)-3 x 10(-5) M) depolarized the membrane, while in other cells (non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p. type), ATP (10(-5)-10(-4) M) and adenosine (10(-5)-3 x 10(-5) M) hyperpolarized the membrane and further increases in the concentration of ATP (10(-3) M) resulted in a depolarization of the membrane.5. Apamin (10(-7)-3 x 10(-6) M) inhibited the generation of non-ch., non-adr. i.j.p.s in both longitudinal and circular muscle cells, while this agent had no effect on the non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s. As a consequence, in some cells of the longitudinal muscle layer (non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p. and i.j.p. type) the amplitude of e.j.p.s was enhanced in the presence of apamin. TEA (5 x 10(-3)-1.5 x 10(-2) M) suppressed the after-hyperpolarization of the spike and i.j.p.s recorded from both muscle layers, whereas the duration and amplitudes of cholinergic and non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s were enhanced.6. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP; 10(-8)-10(-7) M) had no effect on the membrane potential and junction potentials of longitudinal and circular muscle layers.7. Substance P (SP; 10(-8)-10(-7) M) depolarized the membrane of cells of the longitudinal layer (non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p. type), while this agent had no effect on cells of longitudinal (non-ch., non-adr. i.j.p. type) and circular muscle layers. SP suppressed the generation of non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s but had no effect on i.j.p.s. Generation of non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s was not restored under conditions of repolarization of the membrane to the resting level by application of inward current.8. Bradykinin (BK; 10(-8)-10(-5) M) hyperpolarized the membrane and suppressed the generation of i.j.p.s in the cells of longitudinal (non-ch., non-adr. i.j.p. type) and circular muscle layers. However, when the membrane potential was displaced to the control level by outward current in the presence of BK, field stimulation evoked the i.j.p. In cells of non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p. type of the longitudinal muscle layer, BK depolarized the membrane, increased the spike activity, generated slow waves and blocked the generation of non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s. Displacement of the membrane potential to the control level by inward current did not restore the non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s.9. These results suggest that in the guinea-pig ileum ATP and adenosine probably do not contribute to the generation of non-ch., non-adr. e.j.p.s and i.j.p.s, as transmitter substances. The actions of other possible candidates such as SP and BK, are discussed.

Neuronal substance P in the esophagus. Distribution and effects on motor activity

Substance P-immunoreactive nerve fibres were fairly numerous in the lower esophagus of the guinea-pig and cat but few in the pig. They were particularly numerous in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses but could be detected also in the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle and in the muscularis mucosae. Only in the cat were SP-immunoreactive cell bodies detected, albeit in low number, in the myenteric plexus. Radioimmunoassay showed that the lower part of the cat esophagus contained approximately 10 times more immunoreactive SP than the upper part and that the muscle layer contained more SP than the mucosa. Motor effects of synthetic SP were studied on segments from circular smooth muscle of cat esophagus. SP contracted the smooth muscle and enhanced the response to electrical stimulation. These effects of SP could be blocked by the specific SP antagonist (D-Pro2, D-Trp7, 9)-SP. The contractile response to electrical stimulation could be blocked by the cholinergic muscarinic blocker atropine and the opiate receptor agonist leu-enkephalin but not by the SP antagonist or by adrenergic blockers. Hence, the results suggest that cholinergic neurons innervate the circular smooth muscle, and that opiate receptor agonists suppress transmission in these neurons. Neuronal SP in the esophagus may serve to enhance the contractile responses of esophageal smooth muscle.

Fading and tachyphylaxis to the contractile effects of substance P in the guinea-pig ileum

Substance P (SP) caused an immediate and vigorous contraction of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of the guinea-pig ileum. The contractile response to SP, unlike that to acetylcholine or histamine was not maintained but faded to baseline levels in about 6 min. When 0.3-1.0 nM SP was added the fading time was shorter than 6 min and tachyphylaxis did not develop. Higher concentrations of SP produced fading times of about 6 min that could not be increased even by adding extremely high concentrations of the peptide, up to 1800 nM. Short fading times and the lack of development of tachyphylaxis are the result of the rapid adsorption and/or metabolism of SP. The addition of exogenous peptidases such as pronase, chymotrypsin and an extract of black widow spider venom gland dramatically increased the rate of degradation of SP, shortened the fading response and blocked the development of tachyphylaxis. Tetrodotoxin and atropine reduced the fading time by 25%, while eserine increased its duration several-fold; these findings are consistent with the existence of a cholinergic nerve component in the mediation of some of the effects of SP receptor and, in part, to adsorption and metabolism of the peptide. The magnitude of the tachyphylaxis to SP was proportional to the concentration of the desensitizing dose of the peptide and was specific to SP and to the related peptide physalaemin; no cross-tachyphylaxis towards other agents was found.

Immunohistochemical studies on enteric substance P of extrinsic origin in the cat

The origin of substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity in the Auerbach's plexuses of the esophagus, stomach duodenum was examined in the cat. The intensity of the fluorescence and the area of distribution of SP-like immunoreactivity in the Auerbach's plexuses of the cardiac part of the esophagus and the corpus of the stomach were markedly reduced by bilateral ligation of the abdominal vagus nerve, while little change occurred in the antrum of the stomach and the duodenum. After splanchnic nerve ligation or celiac ganglionectomy, the SP-like immunoreactivity in the Auerbach's plexuses of the antrum of the stomach and the duodenum was markedly reduced, whereas that in the esophagus and the corpus of the stomach was only slightly attenuated. Intense SP-like immunoreactivity was observed in the portions of the abdominal vagus and splanchnic nerve cranial to the ligation. This the Auerbach's plexuses of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum were considered to contain SP transported through the vagus and splanchnic nerve. It was also indicated experimentally that the SP-like immunoreactive fibers in the auerbach's plexus arose from the nodose and spinal ganglia as well as from the dorsal vagus nucleus in the medulla oblongata.

Indirect evidence for the inhibition of enteric substance P neurones by opiate agonists but not by capsaicin

There is good evidence indicating that hyoscine-resistant contractions of the guinea-pig ileum evoked by stimulation of the intramural nerves are mediated by substance P (SP). In the present experiments, non-cholinergic neurogenic ileum contractions to field stimulation (100 imp., 5-50 Hz) were inhibited by the opiate agonists morphine and [D-Met2,Pro5]enkephalinamide (10(-6) M) in a naloxone-reversible manner. Neither morphine nor naloxone influenced the musculodirect contracting effect of histamine. Capsaicin, a drug that has been shown to deplete SP from primary afferent neurones, exerted no long-lasting effect on non-cholinergic contractions to field stimulation. Repeated administration of long trains of stimuli (900 impulses) resulted in a progressive decrease of the contractions evoked. Addition of naloxone (3 X 10(-7) M) restored the original height of the responses. The above inhibitory action of opiate agonists and of repeated long-train stimulation was 3-6 times greater at 5 Hz than at 50 Hz. It is concluded that opiate agonists inhibit the release of SP from intramural neurones of the guinea-pit ileum. The decrease in responses to repeated long-train stimulations is mediated, at least in part, by the release of endogenous opioid substance(s).

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in nerves associated with the vascular system of guinea-pigs

Substance P-like immunoreactivity was localized by an indirect immunohistochemical technique in whole mounts and sections of blood vessels from the guinea-pig. There was a widespread association of nerve fibres that had substance P-like immunoreactivity with blood vessels, extending into all vascular beds. The relative densities of supply of different vessels were assessed visually and a rating scale used to compare them. Large elastic arteries close to the heart had dense networks of immunoreactive nerves associated with them. The density decreased as more peripheral beds were approached, except that there was a particularly dense network of nerves with arteries of the splanchnic beds. Arteries to myocardial, central nervous system, renal, reproductive and skeletal muscle beds all had substance P-immunoreactive nerves associated with them to varying extents. The venae cavae near the heart were densely supplied, but there were few fibres with their more peripheral extensions. Some large veins (e.g. pulmonary, hepatic portal and superior mesenteric) had a few fibres with them, but veins of peripheral vascular beds had very few or no immunoreactive nerve fibres. Substance P-like immunoreactivity in vascular nerves was markedly reduced in guinea-pigs that were injected with capsaicin but was unaffected by the injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. It is concluded that the vascular substance P-immunoreactive nerves are likely to be of sensory origin.

VIP-, substance P-, gastrin/CCK-, bombesin-, somatostatin- and glucagon-like immunoreactivities in the gut of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

The presence of peptides in the gastrointestinal tract of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, was investigated immunocytochemically. VIP-like immunoreactivity was demonstrated in nerves in all layers of the stomach and the intestine, whereas substance P-like immunoreactivity was localized to endocrine cells, predominantly in the mucosa of the stomach, and to nerves mainly concentrated in the myenteric plexus throughout the gut. Endocrine cells reactive to gastrin/CCK antiserum were demonstrated in the intestinal mucosa, while no immunoreactivity was found in the stomach. Bombesin-immunoreactive and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were localized in the stomach mucosa, and cells reactive to glucagon antiserum in the intestinal mucosa. Radioimmunoassay of stomach mucosa and muscle confirmed the presence of VIP-like and substance P-like immunoreactivity in these tissues, while gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity was low and bombesin-like immunoreactivity was insignificant. In conclusion, molecules resembling the mammalian brain-gut peptides may be involved in the neuronal and hormonal control of gut function in fish.

Effect of spinal ganglionectomy on substance P-like immunoreactivity in the gastroduodenal tract of cats

Bilateral ligation of the splanchnic nerves and spinal ganglionectomy from T5 to L2 both produced a profound decrease of substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity in Auerbach's plexuses of the duodenum and the antrum of the stomach in the cats. As unilateral dorsal rhizotomy from T5 to L2 produced no such changes, SP is probably synthesized in the spinal ganglion and transported through the splanchnic nerve to the gastroduodenal wall.