Skip to main content
Log in

Evidence for the involvement of vasoactive constituents of mast cells in axon reflex vasodilatation in the skin of the rat

  • Published:
Archives of Dermatological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Axon reflex vasodilatation following injury to the skin of the pinna of the ear was studied in rats by a thermometric method. Post-traumatic vasodilatation did not occur in animals treated with tyrosine ethyl ester, an inhibitor of chymotrypsin. Vasodilatation was not affected by treatment of the rats with chlorpheniramine (antihistamine) or cyproheptadine (antihistamine and antiserotinin) or with aprotinin, soybean trypsin inhibitor,ɛ-aminocaproic acid or tosyl arginine methyl ester (inhibitors of trypsin and of some other proteinases). Taken in conjunction with the results of other investigations, these findings indicate that in the skin of the rat: (a) histamine and serotinin are not essential for the initiation of axon reflexes, and (b) the chymotrypsin-like proteinase of mast cell granules, released as the result of antidromic activity in sensory axons, may act as a kininogenase and be responsible for causing dilatation of arterioles at the efferent limb of the axon reflex.

Zusammenfassung

Die durch den Axonreflex bedingte Vasodilatation nach Verletzung der Haut der Ohrmuschel bei Ratten wurde mittels thermometrischer Methoden untersucht. Eine posttraumatische Vasodilatation auf diesem Wege erfolgte nicht bei den Tieren, die mit Tyrosinäthylester, ein Chymotrypsininhibitor, vorbehandelt waren. Die Vasodilatation wurde nicht durch Vorbehandlung der Ratten mit Antihistaminen, Aprotinin, dem Sojabohnentrypsininhibitor ɛ-aminocapronsäure oder Tosylargininmethylester, ein Inhibitor des Trypsins und andere Proteinasen beeinflußt.

In Anbetracht dieser Situation ist die Aussage gestattet, daß in der Rattenhaut Histamin und Serotonin nicht für die Entwicklung des Axonreflexes von Bedeutung sind, daß chymotrypsinähnliche Proteinasen der Mastzellgranula, die durch antidrome Effekte der sensorischen Nerven freigesetzt wurden als Kininogenasen wirken, die für die Dilatation der Arteriolen beim Axonreflex von Wichtigkeit sein dürften.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Archer, G. T.: Release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from rat mast cells in vitro. Nature (Lond.)190, 350 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, D., Dry, R. M. L., Keele, C. A., Markham, J. W.: Observations on chemical excitants of cutancous pain in man. J. Physiol.120, 326–351 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Auditore, J. V., Ende, N., Katayama, Y.: Multiple character of canine mast cell proteolytic activity. Life Sci.2, 375–381 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, C. D., Eltherington, L. G.: Drug Dosage in Laboratory Animals: A Handbook. Revised and enlarged ed. Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Benditt, E. P., Arase, M.: An enzyme in mast cells with properties like chymotrypsin. J. exp. Med.110, 451–460 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertelli, A.: Proteases and antiproteasic substances in the inflammatory response. Biochem. Pharmacol.17, (Suppl.), 229–240 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, P. D. (editor): The Enzymes. Third ed., vol. 3: Hydrolysis: peptide bonds. New York and London: Academic Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, L. F., Goodell, H., Wolff, H. G.: Structures and processes involved in the sensation of itch. In: Advances in the Biology of Skin, ed. W. Montagna, pp 161–188. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1960

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, L. F., Ramos, A. O., Goodell, H., Wolff, H. G.: Neurohumoral features of afferent fibers in man. Arch. Neurol.4, 617–650 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernex, M.: The Mast-Cell System. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkow, B.: The nervous control of the blood vessels. In: The Control of the Circulation of the Blood, ed. R. J. S. McDowell. Suppl. Vol. pp 1–85. London: Dawson 1956

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkow, B., Neil, E.: Circulation. New York-London-Toronto: Oxford University Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Holton, P.: The liberation of adenosine triphosphate on antidromic stimulation of sensory nerves. J. Physiol.145, 494–504 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holton, P., Perry, W. L. M.: On the transmitter responsible for antidromic vasodilatation in the rabbit's ear. J. Physiol.114, 240–251 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiernan, J. A.: Degranulation of mast cells following antidromic stimulation of cutaneous nerves. J. Anat.111, 349–350 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiernan, J. A.: The involvement of mast cells in vasodilatation due to axon reflexes in injured skin. Quart. J. exp. Physiol.57, 311–317 (1972a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiernan, J. A.: Effects of known and suspected neurotransmitter substances and of some nucleotides on isolated mast cells. Experientia (Basel)28, 653–655 (1972b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiernan, J. A.: Action of adenosine triphosphate on mast cells in normal and denervated skin. Arch. Derm. Forsch.251, 83–86 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiernan, J. A.: A pharmacological and histological investigation of the involvement of mast cells in cutaneous axon reflex vasodilatation. Quart. J. exp. Physiol.60, 123–130 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Labelle, A., Tislow, R.: Studies on prophenpyridamine (Trimeton) and chlorophenpyridamine (Chlortrimeton). J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther.113, 72–88 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagunoff, D.: The properties of mast cell proteases. Biochem. Pharmacol.17, (Suppl.), 221–227 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagunoff, D., Benditt, E. P.: Histochemical examinations of chymotrypsin-like esterases. Nature (Lond.)192, 1198–1199 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagunoff, D., Benditt, E. P.: Benzosalicylanilide substrates of proteolytic enzymes. Kinetic and histochemical studies. I. Chymotrypsin. Biochemistry3, 1427–1431 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, T.: The Blood Vessels of the Human Skin and their Responses. London: Shaw 1927

    Google Scholar 

  • Parratt, J. R., West, G. B.: Release of 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine from tissues of the rat. J. Physiol.137, 179–192 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Riley, J. F.: The Mast Cells. Edinburgh and London: Livingstone 1959

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocha e Silva, M.: Kinin Hormones. Springfield, Ill.: Thomas 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowley, D. A., Benditt, E. P.: 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine as mediators of the vascular injury produced by agents which damage mast cells in rats. J. exp. Med.103, 399–412 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, T. J.: Measurement of blood flow and other properties of the vessels of the skin. In: The Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Skin; vol. 2, The nerves and blood vessels. Ch. 17, pp 654–679. Ed. A. Jarrett. London and New York: Academic Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Schachter, M.: Kallikreins and kinins. Physiol. Rev.49, 509–547 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Selye, H.: The Mast Cells. Washington: Butterworths 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Selye, H., Gabbiani, G., Tuchweber, B.: The effect of cyproheptadine on the anaphylactoid reaction and the localization of certain calciphylactic syndromes. Ann. Allergy20, 777–788 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, C. A., Wengler, H. C., Ludden, C. T., Stavorski, J. M., Ross, C. A.: Antiserotonin-antihistaminic properties of cyrpoheptadine. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther.131, 73–84 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogel, R.: Trautschold, I., Werle, E.: Natural Proteinase Inhibitors. New York: Academic Press 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner, R., Zweifach, B. W.: Vasoinhibitory action of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors in the capillary bed. Amer. J. Physiol.211, 725–729 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, D. L.: Chemical mediators. In: The Inflammatory Process, Second ed. vol. 2, Ch. 8, pp 251–301. Ed. B. W. Zweifach, L. Grant and R. T. McCluskey. New York and London: Academic Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamasaki, H., Saeki, K.: Inhibition of mast cell degranulation by anti-inflammatory agents. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn.168, 166–179 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H.: Biostatistical Analysis. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Zweifach, B. W., Nagler, A. L., Troll, W.: Some effects of proteolytic inhibitors on tissue injury and systemic anaphylaxis. J. exp. Med.113, 437–450 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The technical assistance of Mrs. Wendy Venturin is gratefully acknowledged. This work was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the aprotinin used was kindly provided by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Haywards Heath, Sussex, England.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kiernan, J.A. Evidence for the involvement of vasoactive constituents of mast cells in axon reflex vasodilatation in the skin of the rat. Arch. Derm. Res. 255, 1–8 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00581672

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00581672

Keywords

Navigation