Increased levels of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in rat adjuvant arthritis. A combined immunohistochemical and radioimmunoassay analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the occurrence of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in ankle joints and corresponding dorsal root ganglia (L2-L6) of rats with adjuvant arthritis.


METHODS
Arthritis was induced by inoculation with heat-killed mycobacteria. The morphologic distribution of SP and CGRP was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Tissue concentrations of the neuropeptides were determined by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Neuronal CGRP-like immunoreactivity was clearly increased in the synovium and the dorsal root ganglia, whereas the increase in SP-positive structures was less pronounced. The tissue concentrations of SP and CGRP were significantly increased both in ankle joints and in dorsal root ganglia.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of sensory neuropeptides are increased under conditions of joint inflammation.
Ahmed
M
M
Department of Orthopaedics, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bjurholm
A
A
Schultzberg
M
M
Theodorsson
E
E
Kreicbergs
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000294:innervation; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*
D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide