The British journal of dermatology
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Specimens of hypertrophic scar tissue (n = 9), non-hypertrophic, flat scar tissue (n = 5) and control skin (n = 3) were obtained from eight adult females (aged 22-56) and three adult males (aged 22-59). The specimens were studied histologically and immunohistochemically for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, somatostatin, [Met]enkephalin, [Leu]enkephalin, and the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase. The non-hypertrophic scar tissues were not dissimilar to the control tissue, but contained connective tissue in bundles with a greater number of collagen fibres. ⋯ Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerves were found in the arrector pili muscle, and neuropeptide Y-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, calcitonin gene-related peptide-, [Met]enkephalin- and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-containing nerves were found within sweat glands. In patients with flat, non-hypertrophic scar tissue, neuropeptides and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-containing nerves were absent. In patients with hypertrophic scars, the density of neuropeptide Y-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, substance P-, calcitonin gene-related peptide- and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactive nerves was greater in the dermis when compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)