Neuropeptide content of lungs from asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1995 Feb;151(2 Pt 1):548-53. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.151.2.7531100.

Abstract

Tracheal and lung parenchymal SP-LI (substance P-like immunoreactivity) and VIP-LI (vasoactive intestinal peptide-like immunoreactivity) content was measured in HPLC-purified tissue extracts from patients with and without asthma. We detected significantly less SP-LI in tracheal tissue from asthmatic than from nonasthmatic patients, whereas parenchymal SP-LI content was not significantly different between these groups. This finding does not support the concept that asthmatic lungs contain excessive amounts of SP. Indeed, lower SP-LI content of tracheal tissues from asthmatic patients may reflect augmented SP release followed by degradation. We detected greater quantities of VIP-LI in tracheal than in parenchymal tissue in both groups, but did not detect significant differences in VIP-LI content in tracheal or parenchymal tissues from asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients. These findings indicate that asthmatic and nonasthmatic lungs contain similar levels of VIP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asthma / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Substance P / analysis*
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / analysis*

Substances

  • Substance P
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide