Substance P (SP), somatostatin (Som), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) induced a concentration-dependent release of histamine from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells. The release of histamine induced by these neuropeptides was inhibited by preincubation of the cells with the SP analogue [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]-SP4-11 (SP-A) (10 microM), and also by benzalkonium chloride (10 microM). In addition, SP-A inhibited histamine release induced by compound 48/80, whilst that induced by goat anti-(rat-IgE) was unaffected. In human skin, intradermal injection of SP, Som, or VIP produced flare and wheal responses. The flares to all three peptides were inhibited by preinjection of the skin with SP-A (25 pmol), whilst the wheal responses were unaffected. It is concluded that the receptors mediating histamine release and the flare response are similar, and that SP, Som, and VIP are acting at a similar receptor to produce these effects. It is probable that this receptor is also the site of action of compound 48/80.