A comparison of sensory nerve function in human, guinea-pig, rabbit and marmoset airways.
We have investigated the role of sensory nerves in regulating airway smooth muscle function in the guinea-pig, marmoset, rabbit and man. Tissue levels of the sensory neuropeptides CGRP and substance P in the airways of the guinea-pig were significantly greater compared with the rabbit and marmoset. The relative order of tissue content was guinea-pig >>> rabbit = marmoset. Marmoset bronchial and tracheal preparations responded weakly to exogenously administered substance P and neurokinin A but contracted to methacholine and demonstrated atropine-sensitive cholinergic responses. In marmoset, rabbit and human airway preparations, capsaicin mediated weak contractile responses to exogenously administered capsaicin. However, high concentrations of capsaicin elicited a relaxation response that was epithelium-independent, cyclo-oxygenase-insensitive, not involving nitric oxide and not dependent on the activation of capsaicin-sensitive afferents. These results suggest that rabbit and marmoset airways respond functionally in a similar way to human airway preparations and maybe more relevant than guinea-pig airways with regard to understanding the role of sensory neuropeptides in airways.
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The Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Department of Respiratory Medicine, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
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Riccio
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D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity
D009479:Neuropeptides; D002211:Capsaicin