D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11-substance P (spantide) does not antagonize substance P-induced hyperexcitability of the nociceptive flexion withdrawal reflex in the rat

New high affinity peptide antagonists to the spinal galanin receptor

1. The role of endogenous galanin in somatosensory processing has been studied with galanin receptor antagonists. The new galanin receptor ligands C7, M32, M38 and M40 bind with high affinity (Kd in nanomolar range) to spinal cord galanin receptors and possess oxidative stability as compared to earlier generations of peptide ligands. These peptides have been examined in the spinal flexor reflex model where exogenous galanin exhibited biphasic excitatory and inhibitory effects. 2. Intrathecal administration of C7 [galanin(1-13)-spantide] and M32 [galanin (1-13)-neuropeptide Y(25-36) amide] blocked facilitation of the nociceptive flexor reflex induced by 30 pmol intrathecal galanin in decerebrate, spinalized rats in a dose-dependent manner, thus behaving as antagonists of the galanin receptor. In contrast, M38[galanin(1-13)-(Ala-Leu)3-Ala amide] and M40 [galanin(1-13)-Pro-Pro-(Ala-Leu)2-Ala amide], exhibited only weak antagonism at high doses in this model. Moreover, lower doses of M40 potentiated galanin-induced reflex facilitation. C7 was neurotoxic at high doses in the rat spinal cord. 3. M32 and C7 were potent antagonists of galanin receptors in rat spinal cord, in correlation with their in vitro binding characteristics. In contrast, M38 and M40, despite their high in vitro affinity, exhibited only very weak antagonism. Moreover, M40 may also behave as a partial agonist. 4. Previous studies have shown that the galanin receptor may be heterogeneous. The discrepancy between in vitro binding and in vivo antagonistic potency of M38 and M40 may also suggest the presence of different galanin receptor subtypes within the rat spinal cord. However, other explanations for the discrepancy, such as differences in metabolic stability, diffusion rates and penetration to the site of action are also possible.

Evidence for a role of tachykinin NK2 receptors in mediating brief nociceptive inputs to rat dorsal horn (laminae III-V) neurons

Since the NK2 receptor-selective tachykinin, neurokinin A is present in fine primary afferent neurons in addition to the NK1 receptor-selective tachykinin, substance P, we have addressed the relative role of NK1 and NK2 receptors in somatosensory processing in spinal dorsal horn. Recording extracellularly from rat laminae III-V neurons whilst ionophoresing drugs nearby, the selective NK1 receptor antagonists L 688,169, GR 82334 and [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,910Phe11]substance P-(4-11) failed to influence neuronal responses to cutaneous pinch or noxious heat but often enhanced responses to innocuous brush. In contrast, the highly selective NK2 receptor antagonist L 659,874 profoundly inhibited responses to noxious heat but not pinch or brush. Highly selective synthetic agonists for both NK1 and NK2 receptors ([N-acetyl-Arg6,Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P-(6-11) and GR 64349, respectively) and also NKA showed the inverse effects on sensory responses to those brought about by their antagonists. At higher ionophoretic currents, both NK1 and NK2 receptor agonists increased spontaneous activity. This increased basal firing induced by GR 64349 and neurokinin A (but not that due to [N-acetyl-Arg6,Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P-(6-11) appeared to partially pre-empt further excitatory responses to noxious heat. It is concluded that although both NK1 and NK2 receptors can clearly mediate excitation of dorsal horn neurons, it is not NK1, but rather NK2 receptors that are important as the physiological transducer of brief thermal nociceptive inputs in this model.

Alpha-1 adrenoceptor subtypes in canine aorta

The present study was designed to demonstrate the existence in canine aorta of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha 1High and alpha 1Low, that have different binding affinities for 3H-prazosin and to assess the binding affinity of several drugs for each subtype by a displacement experiment. A radioligand binding assay with 3H-prazosin revealed the presence of two alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the canine aorta. One of them which has a high affinity for prazosin was designated as alpha 1High (Kd: 12.40 pM, Bmax: 21.88 fmol/mg protein), and the other type was designated as alpha 1Low (Kd: 506.03 pM, Bmax: 88.22 fmol/mg protein). The pKi values of several drugs for each subtype were determined, and all drugs used in the present study, except for benoxathian and chlorethylclonidine, showed significant differences between the pKi values for alpha 1High and those for alpha 1Low. Although it is difficult to characterize each alpha 1High and alpha 1Low into alpha 1A or alpha 1B by only the displacement potency, one structural characteristic to distinguish between alpha 1High and alpha 1Low could be evaluated.

Possible involvement of the spinal substance P system in pilocarpine-induced scratching in mice

IT administration of pilocarpine in the spinal subarachnoid space of mice produced a dose-related hindlimb scratching. When coadministered with substance P IT, the pilocarpine-induced scratches were enhanced by high doses of substance P but not by subthreshold doses. This characteristic behavioral response was inhibited dose dependently by IT coadministration of spantide [D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9,Leu11] substance P. Significant antagonistic effects of [D-Phe7,D-His9] substance P (6-11), a selective antagonist for substance P receptors, and substance P (1-7), a substance P N-terminal fragment, were observed against the pilocarpine-induced scratching. Pretreatment with substance P antiserum resulted in the reduction of the response to pilocarpine. When coadministered IT with pilocarpine, atropine potently inhibited pilocarpine-induced scratching. These results demonstrate that not only muscarinic receptors but also substance P-containing neurons in the mouse spinal cord may be involved in elicitation of the scratching behavior following IT injection of pilocarpine.

Naloxone-reversible effect of spantide on the spinally mediated behavioural response induced by neurokinin-2 and -3 receptor agonists

[D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-substance P (spantide) was tested for antagonism against the licking, biting and scratching response induced by various neurokinin (NK) receptor agonists and bombesin (Bom) in mice. When co-administered with substance P (SP) intrathecally, spantide reduced the SP-induced behavioural responses in a dose-dependent manner. The duration of this antagonistic effect was approximately 30 min. Behavioural responses induced by physalaemin (Phy), [pGlu6, L-Pro9]-SP (6-11) (septide), [pGlu6, D-Pro7]-SP (6-11) (D-septide) and eledoisin (Ele) were also dose-dependently decreased by relatively small doses of spantide. Higher doses of spantide were needed to reduce the behavioural responses induced by [Sar9, Met (O2)11]-SP, neurokinin A (NK A) and neurokinin B (NK B). No significant effect of spantide was observed against the behavioural responses elicited by Bom. Pretreatment with naloxone, an opioid antagonist, resulted in a reversible effect on the behavioural reduction of NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists produced by spantide. However, the effect of spantide on the NK-1 receptor agonist-induced response was unchanged by naloxone. In homogenates of mouse spinal cord, competition studies confirmed that the binding of the opioid ligand [3H]naloxone was displaced by spantide with a low but measurable affinity. These results suggest that the behavioural response to NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists may be partially inhibited by spantide through the activation of opioid system in the mouse spinal cord.

Intrathecal CP-96,345 blocks reflex facilitation induced in rats by substance P and C-fiber-conditioning stimulation

We have examined the effects of intrathecally (i.t.) administered CP-96,345, a non-peptide NK1 receptor ligand, on the spinal nociceptive flexor reflex and on the facilitation of this reflex evoked by i.t. substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and electrical conditioning stimulation of cutaneous C-afferents. CP-96,345 i.t. at 24 pmol-2.4 nmol had no significant effect on flexor reflex excitability. At the highest dose tested (24 nmol), CP-96,345 caused a brief facilitation of the flexor reflex, which was similar to the effect of the vehicle used at this drug concentration. CP-96,345 did not depress the flexor reflex at any dose. In rats with chronically implanted i.t. catheters, CP-96,345 at 24 nmol caused neither motor impairment nor morphological damage to the spinal cord. Pretreatment with CP-96,345 dose dependently and similarly antagonized facilitation of the flexor reflex induced by 7 pmol i.t. SP or by a 20-s, 1-Hz conditioning stimulus train applied to cutaneous C-fibers in the sural nerve innervation area. The vehicle had no effect. The antagonistic effect of CP-96,345 on the SP- and C-fiber reflex facilitation induced by conditioning stimulation became maximal only 20-30 min after the i.t. injection and lasted 3-4 h at the highest dose. CP-96,345 did not significantly block the facilitatory effect of 7 pmol i.t. NKA on the flexor reflex. These results demonstrate that CP-96,345 is a potent, long-lasting and selective antagonist of SP in rat spinal cord. Furthermore, facilitation of the flexor reflex (central sensitization) induced by conditioning stimulation of cutaneous C-afferents is mediated by NK1 tachykinin receptors, but the NK1 receptor may not be involved in the transmission of the flexor reflex. CP-96,345 is thus useful in experimental studies of the role of SP in the central nervous system.

Involvement of substance P in hyperalgesia induced by intrathecal galanin

Previously we have demonstrated that an intrathecal injection of galanin (GAL) decreases the nociceptive threshold for mechanical stimulation without effect on thermal nociceptive responses. The present experiments were conducted to determine whether substance P (SP) would be involved in such a decrease in the nociceptive threshold produced by GAL. An intrathecal injection of anti-SP monoclonal antibody inhibited the nociceptive threshold-decreasing effect of intrathecal GAL (0.1 nmol/rat). This antibody significantly suppressed the contractile action of SP (3 nM) on the longitudinal muscle and that of neurokinin A (3 nM) to a lesser degree. Binding of [125I]Tyr8-SP to this antibody was inhibited by SP in a concentration-dependent manner in the range 0.1-33 nM without suppression by GAL at a concentration of 3300 nM. In addition, an intrathecal injection of the anti-SP monoclonal antibody increased the nociceptive threshold for mechanical stimulation in carrageenin-inflamed rats without effect on thermal nociceptive behaviors. The capsaicin (0.5 microM)-evoked release of immunoreactive SP from dorsal-half slices of the spinal cord was increased by galanin (1 microM, but not 0.1 microM) without effects on basal release. An intrathecal injection of GAL did not produce aversive responses (biting, licking and scratching) at doses of 0.1 and 1 nmol/rat. GAL (0.1 nmol/rat) did not affect biting/licking behaviors evoked by SP (1 nmol/rat), but inhibited SP-evoked scratching behavior. These results suggest that the nociceptive threshold-decreasing action of intrathecal GAL is at least in part mediated by SP, and that GAL may act on primary afferent terminals to increase the release of SP evoked by stimulation.

An analogue of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF), (Ac-Try1, D-Phe2)-GRF-(1-29), specifically antagonizes the facilitation of the flexor reflex induced by intrathecal vasoactive intestinal peptide in rat spinal cord

The effect of intrathecal (i.t.) vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and an analogue of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) with putative VIP antagonistic property, (Ac-Try1, D-Phe2)-GRF-(1-29), on the nociceptive flexor reflex was studied in decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats. VIP (10 pM) facilitated the flexor reflex for several minutes. A similar facilitation was induced by the VIP antagonist applied i.t. with a potency 15 times less than that of VIP. Pre-administration of the VIP antagonist dose-dependently antagonized the reflex facilitation by i.t. VIP. In contrast, the reflex facilitation induced by i.t. substance P, somatostatin, calcitonin gene-related peptide and galanin was not influenced by the VIP-antagonist. The VIP antagonist by itself did not depress the flexor reflex over the dose range of 3 pM-3 nM and neither did it block the facilitation of the flexor reflex induced by a brief conditioning electrical stimulus train that activated the C-afferents in skin innervated by the sural nerve. The present results indicate that this GRF analogue is an effective and specific VIP antagonist in the rat spinal cord. Furthermore, it is suggested that VIP may not be involved in the transmission of cutaneous nociceptive information under normal conditions.

On the role of NK-2 tachykinin receptors in the mediation of spinal reflex excitability in the rat

The effects of intrathecal administration of neurokinin A, substance P and [Tyr5, D-Trp6,8,9 Arg10]neurokinin A-(4-10) (Men 10207), a specific NK-2 receptor antagonist, on the spinal nociceptive flexor reflex were studied in decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats. Intrathecal neurokinin A and substance P facilitate the flexor reflex in a similar manner. The reflex facilitation to intrathecal neurokinin A, but not substance P, is dose-dependently blocked by pretreatment with Men 10207. The NK-2 receptor antagonist by itself facilitates the flexor reflex with a potency about 10 times less than that of neurokinin A, indicating a partial agonistic property. Reversible depression of the flexor reflex, which is not due to nonspecific spinal blockade, is observed after 700 pmol Men 10207. Further increasing the dose of Men 10207 to 7 nmol for 20 s at an intensity that activates unmyelinated (C) fibers stimulation of peripheral nerves at 1 Hz for 20 s at an intensity that activates unmyelinated (C) fibers facilitates the ipsilateral flexor reflex. The duration of the facilitation after conditioning stimulation of the cutaneous sural nerve is several minutes and about 1 h after conditioning stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle nerves. Pretreatment with Men 10207 (70-700 pmol) has no effect on facilitation by the sural nerve conditioning stimulation, but effectively blocks the long-term reflex facilitation to the gastrocnemius nerve stimulation. The present results indicate a distinct role for NK-2 tachykinin receptors in mediation of spinal reflex excitability in the rat. Neurokinin A may be involved in the long-term increase of spinal reflex excitability after activation of unmyelinated fibers innervating muscle.

Effects of intrathecal substance P and a substance P antagonist on a reflex to noxious heat are independent of changes in tail skin temperature

Substance P or the substance P receptor antagonist (D-Arg1,D-Trp7.9,Leu11)-substance P (Spantide) was injected into the lumbar subarachnoid space in mice, and the ability to change the tail-flick reflex and the tail skin temperature was investigated. Tail-flick latency (the time needed to evoke the tail-flick reflex by noxious radiant heat) was reduced for 1-4 min after intrathecal administration of substance P (5 micrograms), but the tail skin temperature was not significantly changed. Nor was the tail skin temperature significantly changed after intrathecal injection of Spantide (5 micrograms), but this compound significantly increased tail-flick latencies 5-30 min after injection. Analysis of co-variance showed that the effects of substance P or Spantide on tail-flick latency were significant, whereas the influence of tail skin temperature on tail-flick latency was non-significant. Thus, intrathecal substance P induces a short-lasting increase in nociceptive sensitivity, and intrathecal Spantide produces an antinociceptive effect of longer duration. The results seem not to be the result of changes in tail skin temperature.

The effects of substance P analogues on the scratching, biting and licking response induced by intrathecal injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate in mice

1. Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) elicited a dose-dependent behavioural response consisting of licking, biting and scratching in mice. 2. Repeated i.t. injections of 0.4 nmol NMDA, at 5 min intervals, resulted in the rapid development of desensitization to this NMDA-induced behavioural phenomenon. 3. The NMDA-induced response was dose-dependently inhibited by the simultaneous injection of a selective NMDA-receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. 4. The substance P (SP) analogues [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9] SP and [D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11] SP (spantide) inhibited NMDA-induced behavioural responses in a dose-dependent manner. However, [D-Phe7, D-His9] SP (6-11), a SP analogue selective for neurokinin1 (NK1) receptors, failed to inhibit NMDA-induced responses even at a dose of 4.0 nmol. 5. These results indicate that NMDA-induced behavioural responses are mainly mediated through NMDA receptors without affecting NK1 receptors in the spinal cord.

The specific antagonistic effect of intrathecal spantide II on substance P- and C-fiber conditioning stimulation-induced facilitation of the nociceptive flexor reflex in rat

The effect of intrathecally (i.t.) applied tachykinin antagonist D-NicLys1, 3-Pal3, D-Cl2Phe5, Asn6, D-Trp7.9, Nle11-substance P (SP), spantide II, on the nociceptive flexor reflex was studied in decerebrate, spinalized, unanaesthetized rats over the dose range of 10 ng-10 micrograms. I.t. spantide II usually caused weak facilitation of the flexor reflex, especially at lower doses (10-100 ng) and at higher doses (1-10 micrograms) it sometimes depressed the reflex. Pre-treatment with spantide II (1, 3 or 10 micrograms) effectively antagonized the facilitatory effect of 10 ng i.t. SP on the flexor reflex for about 30 min. The facilitation of the reflex induced by i.t. administration of other neuropeptides present in primary afferents, somatostatin (SOM), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and galanin (GAL), was not influenced by spantide II. This non-toxic antagonist also effectively blocked facilitation of the flexor reflex induced by C-fiber conditioning stimulation of the sural nerve. The present results indicate that spantide II is an effective and specific tachykinin antagonist in the spinal cord. Furthermore, C-fiber stimulation facilitates the nociceptive flexor reflex through a mechanism involving the release of SP from the central terminals of primary afferents.

Antinociceptive and substance P antagonistic effects of intrathecally injected spantide II in rat: no signs of motor impairment or neurotoxicity

The effect of intrathecally (i.t.) applied substance P (SP) analogue, (D-NicLys1,3-Pal3,D-Cl2Phe5,Asn6,D-Trp7,9,Nle 11)-SP (Spantide II), was examined in rats. Spantide II even at a high dose (10 micrograms) did not evoke any behavioural responses and caused no motor disturbances, but it did have a brief antinociceptive effect on the hot-plate test. Spantide II dose-dependently reduced the caudally directed scratching/biting behaviour, evoked by 1 microgram i.t. SP for over 30 min, but did not block the caudally directed scratching behaviour evoked by i.t. somatostatin. Histological examination revealed no pathological changes in the spinal cord after treatment with Spantide II. The results indicate that Spantide II is an effective tachykinin antagonist in the central nervous system and that it causes no neural damage.

Effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists and spantide on spinal reflexes and responses to substance P and capsaicin in isolated spinal cord preparations from mouse and rat

Electrical stimulus intensity, capsaicin, excitatory amino acid antagonists and the substance P antagonist, spantide, have been used to investigate the roles of primary afferent C fibres and excitatory amino acid receptors in the generation of long duration (half time 9.1 s +/- 1.1 S.E.M., N = 24) contralateral reflexes recorded in ventral roots of immature rat spinal cords in vitro. The relationship between C fibre compound action potentials recorded in the dorsal root and duration of the dorsal root-evoked contralateral ventral root potential appeared to be coincidental rather than causal. Dorsal root-evoked contralateral ventral root potentials of greater than 2 s in duration could not be evoked in mature mouse spinal preparations. Application of capsaicin (1 microM for 15-120 min) produced a long lasting increase in spontaneous activity of ventral roots as well as blockade of C fibre conduction in dorsal roots. The dorsal root potential evoked following stimulation of adjacent dorsal roots at intensities insufficient for activation of C fibres was depressed by capsaicin. Dorsal root-evoked contralateral ventral root potentials were abolished by kynurenate (EC50 56 +/- 13 microM, N = 3) and depressed to 38.2 +/- 6.9% S.E.M. (N = 7) of pre-drug levels by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (20 microM) or to 51.8 +/- 9.0% (N = 7) by the substance P analogue spantide (33 microM). Spantide consistently antagonised substance P-induced, but not capsaicin-induced, depolarizations recorded in ventral roots (+-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (10-50 microM) depressed both substance P- and capsaicin-induced depolarizations. The depressant effect of spantide, unlike that of (+/-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, was associated with a long lasting excitatory action. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM), spantide (33 microM) failed to antagonize substance P-induced depolarizations. It is suggested that long duration of the dorsal root-evoked contralateral ventral root potential is a consequence of the activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor operated ion channels by excitatory amino acid transmitters.

Substance P and peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia

The hyperalgesic effect of substance P (SP) is usually described as presenting short latency. We now report that multiple injections of sub-threshold doses of SP into the foot pad of a hind paw of rats pre-treated with indomethacin induced a long-lasting hyperalgesia, sensitizing the paw to further challenges with small doses of SP, dopamine or prostacyclin. The sensitizing process also occurred after multiple injections of prostacyclin or prostaglandin E2. The sensitizing effect induced by SP, prostaglandin E2 or prostacyclin is inhibited by pre-treatment with the SP antagonist (D-Arg, D-Pro, D-Trp, Leu)-SP. We suggest that SP has an important role as a modulator in peripheral inflammatory pain by sensitizing nociceptors to its own action and to the action of different mediators. This sensitizing process could also be associated with chronic inflammatory pain.

Nerve section alters the interaction between C-fibre activity and intrathecal neuropeptides on the flexor reflex in rat

The hamstring flexor reflex evoked by C-fibre strength electric shocks to the sural nerve was recorded in unanaesthetised, decerebrate, spinalized rats with sciatic nerves intact or sectioned 14-21 days previously. The effect of a brief C-fibre strength conditioning stimulus (CS) train (20 s, 1 Hz) to the sural nerve or intrathecally applied neuropeptides substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on reflex excitability were quantified. The sural CS and all of the neuropeptides caused a brief (1-5 min) facilitation of the test reflex with no concomitant changes in the amplitude of the monosynaptic reflex. A synergistic facilitatory interaction between the CS and SP, but not between the CS and VIP was observed in rats with intact nerves. In nerve-sectioned animals no synergism was found between CS and SP, but a very strong synergistic facilitation was seen with CS and VIP. Since SP and VIP both coexist with CGRP in separate populations of primary afferents, the interaction between SP plus CGRP and VIP plus CGRP was tested in animals with intact and sectioned nerves. In animals with intact nerves, SP and CGRP had a strong synergistic effect, whereas VIP and CGRP had a weak facilitatory interaction. In animals with sectioned nerves, SP and CGRP did not interact, whereas VIP and CGRP had a stronger facilitatory interaction. Since it has been shown that there are changes in peptide levels in primary afferents and dorsal horn interneurons following nerve section, it is proposed that such alterations may underly some of the physiological changes in spinal cord function after damage to peripheral nerves.

Substance P antagonist-induced spinal cord vasoconstriction: effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and substance P agonists

Local spinal cord vasomotor effects of 3 substance P (SP) antagonists were studied in the rat following intrathecal (IT) administration. Each SP antagonist (3.3 nmol) increased spinal cord vascular resistance and reduced blood flow. A LH-RH antagonist analog (10 nmol) of similar molecular weight and which also contained multiple D-Trp residues did not cause spinal cord vasoconstriction. The vasoconstrictor action of the SP antagonist, [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-SP [( D-Arg]-SP) was unaffected by pretreatment with a stable SP receptor agonist (5 nmol IT). Given evidence for a cerebral vasodilator action of TRH agonists, the effects of TRH (IV) and a stable TRH analog (MK-771, IT) on [D-Arg]-SP-induced vasoconstriction were also assessed. Neither TRH nor MK-771 prevented the [D-Arg]-SP-induced vasoconstriction. However, TRH (IV) but not MK-771 (IT) partially opposed [D-Arg]-SP-induced reduction in thoracic spinal cord blood flow. Thus, SP antagonists cause spinal cord vasoconstriction by a non-SP receptor mediated phenomenon. In addition, the attenuation of SP-antagonist-induced neuropathological changes previously reported with IV. TRH administration is likely due to less severe consequences of vasoconstriction in the presence of a higher initial baseline blood flow rather than direct prevention of the vasoconstriction.

Substance P antagonists and analgesia: a review of the hypothesis

This review focused entirely on the hypothesis that a substance P/neurokinin antagonist should have, and the experimental evidence examining whether they do have, analgesic/antinociceptive properties. Such a hypothesis is reasonable considering the wealth of evidence implicating substance P in the nociceptive process and the demonstration that antibodies to substance P produce or potentiate antinociception. However, despite the availability of several putative antagonists, their pharmacological purity, specificity and selectivity are questionable. Thus, the investigator may not have, as yet, the appropriate tool drug with which to work. Much of the information concerning these points is generated utilizing in vitro (referring to isolated tissue preparations) bioassay tests which may not adequately reflect nor predict their pharmacology in the CNS. Differences in species responsiveness further complicate experimental design and interpretation. Apart from these factors, the choice of test or tests becomes an important consideration. What test, if any, adequately and appropriately reflects the endogenous physiological activity of substance P in nociception and predicts clinically useful activity of an antagonist? Several different models have been described and I have emphasized that conclusions based on a single model should be interpreted with caution. If the ultimate intent of the study is to further define the role of substance P in nociception, then most of the models discussed are adequate. However, if the intent is to demonstrate that a substance P/neurokinin antagonist should have therapeutically useful analgesic activity, it is incumbant on the investigator to demonstrate that, in their model, substance P release is a primary event, the resultant analgesia correlates to the occupancy of the neurokinin receptor by antagonist (ultimately important for all conclusions) and that the model adequately reflects activity of known analgesics in clinical use (validation of the model). In conclusion, given the complexities and contradictions of existing information, the hypothesis that a substance P/neurokinin antagonist should have analgesic/antinociceptive properties remains to be proven.