Substance P: endothelial localization and pharmacology in the human ovarian vein.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible role of substance P as an endothelial factor in the local regulation of vascular tone in the human ovarian vein.


METHODS
We performed immunolocalization of substance P in human ovarian venous endothelium in situ and in culture, and observed responses to substance P in preconstricted ring preparations of human ovarian vein in the presence of either the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indomethacin or the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), with and without luminal rubbing.


RESULTS
Substance P was localized in a subpopulation of ovarian vein endothelial cells. Maximal relaxation induced by substance P was not significantly affected by indomethacin (10 mumol/L), but was reduced from 58.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 41.3-76.1) in control experiments to 24.7% (95% CI 18.3-31.1) after luminal rubbing and to 32.3% (95% CI 19.8-44.8) after exposure to L-NAME (0.1 mmol/L) (P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The localization of substance P in ovarian vein endothelium together with vasodilator effects mediated partially via the endothelium suggests that the peptide has a role in the local control of vascular tone in this vessel.
Stones
R W
RW
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College, London.
Loesch
A
A
Beard
R W
RW
Burnstock
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D002260:Carboprost / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014680:Veins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013373:Substance P; D002260:Carboprost; D001120:Arginine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D007213:Indomethacin