Summary
Substance P (SP), a potent inflammatory agent, has been found in sensory nerve fibres in the nasal mucosa in several experimental animals as well as in man. It may participate in the inflammatory response as part of the mucosal defence against foreign materials. In experimental animals SP has been found to increase mucociliary in airway mucosa. The present study was performed in order to find out the relationship between topically applied SP and nasal mucociliary function in humans. Thirteen healthy volunteers were challenged with 65 µg SP or placebo in a randomized cross over fashion and mucociliary transport time was determined each time using the saccharine dye test. The dose of SP was chosen after an open dose-response study. No statistically significant change in the mucociliary transport time was found after challenge with SP as compared to placebo. The possible reasons for this are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Andersen I, Camner P, Jensen PL, Philipsson K, Proctor DF (1974) A comparison of nasal and tracheobronchial clearance. Arch Environ Health 29: 290–293
Karlsson G, Hansson HA, Petruson B, Björkander J (1985) The nasal mucosa in immunodeficiency. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 100: 456–469
Lindberg S, Hybinette J-C, Mercke U (1985) Effects of neuropeptides on mucociliary activity. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol in press
Lundberg JM, Saria A, Brodin E, Rosell S, Folkers K (1983) A substance P antagonist inhibits vagally induced increase in vascular permeability and smooth muscle contraction in guinea pig. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80: 1120–1122
Lundblad L (1984) Protective reflexes and vascular effects in the nasal mucosa elicited by activation of capsaicin-sensitive Substance P-immunoreactive trigeminal neurons. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl] 529
Mygind N, Vesterhauge S (1978) Aerosol distribution in the nasal cavity. Rhinology 16: 79–88
Pettersson G, Malm L, McCaffrey T (1985) Substance P and nasal secretion in man, dog and rat. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) in press
Proctor DF (1982) The upper airway. In: Proctor DF, Andersen I (eds) The nose. Elsevier Biomedical Press, Amsterdam
Proctor DF (1982) The mucociliary system. In: Proctor DF, Andersen I (eds) The nose. Elsevier Biomedical Press, Amsterdam
Uddman R, Malm L, Sundler F (1983) Substance P — containing nerve fibers in the nasal mucosa. Arch Otorhinolaryngology 238: 9–14
Wanner A, Maurer D, Abraham WM, Szepfalusi Z, Sielczak M (1983) Effects of chemical mediators of anaphylaxis on ciliary function. J Allergy Clin Immunol 72: 663–68
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Karlsson, G., Pipkorn, U. & Andreasson, L. Substance P and human nasal mucociliary activity. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 30, 355–357 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541544
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541544