Changes in tachykinin--ergic nerve terminal densities in rat nasal mucosa during hypersensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
To further carry out a quantitative immunohistochemical study on neuropeptides (NPs) participation in perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in nasal mucosa.


METHODS
By using light microscopy (routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, Wright's staining and 1% toluidine blue staining) and scanning as well as transmission electron microscopy, an exhaustive immunohistochemical and morphometric study was made on the changes of substance P (SP), neuropeptide A (NKA) and neuropeptide B (NKB) in the nasal mucosa of a toluene-2,4-iso-cyanate (TDI)-induced PAR model of rat.


RESULTS
The results showed that the densities of all three peptidergic terminals were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in experimental group (115.72 +/- 28.43 for SP, 39.23 +/- 10.34 for NKA and 37.24 +/- 11.22 for NKB, respectively) as compared with those in control group (49.65 +/- 11.23 for SP, 12.44 +/- 6.21 for NKA and 13.31 +/- 7.60 for NKB, respectively). Increased staining, thickening of peptidergic terminals and enlargement of varicosities were found. Mast cell infiltration in nasal mucosa was in parallel with increase of peptidergic terminals.


CONCLUSIONS
All results support the hypothesis that NP is a newly-recognized but potentially important factor in the pathogenesis of PAR.
Zhao
C
C
Department of Otolaryngology, Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
Tao
Z
Z
Xiao
J
J
Zhao
S
S
Qiao
J
J
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000378:metabolism; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000378:metabolism; D015287:Neurokinin B / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate
D015320:Tachykinins; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate; D013373:Substance P; D015288:Neurokinin A; D015287:Neurokinin B