Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]
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A supersensitivity to the neuropeptide substance P (SP) has been shown to develop in post-terminal membranes of many denervated tissues. This study examined changes in the sensitivity of post-terminal vascular receptors to SP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rat skin microvasculature following sciatic nerve section. In anaesthetised rats, 0.5 cm of sciatic nerve in the right mid-thigh region was removed. ⋯ BQ-123 significantly increased the responses to SP and SNP to 51% and 100% of their own control values respectively. It is concluded that supersensitivity of post-terminal vascular receptors develops in intact skin following chronic nerve lesion. On the other hand, acute injury of the denervated skin area induces activation of endogenous inhibitory modulatory mechanisms that masks this supersensitivity.