[The expression and significance of VIP and SP in the cochlea of rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) in the cochlea of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and normal rat, and to evaluate the function of VIP and SP in the cochlea following the damage of hypertension.


METHODS
The expression of VIP and SP in the cochlea of SHR was studied by immunohistochemical staining, and the mean optical density (OD) values of the positive fields were quantitatively examined by image analysis system.


RESULTS
The number of spiral ganglion cells at base turn in the hypertension group was significantly less than the normal (P < 0.01). VIP was expressed in the spiral ganglion cell plasm and stria vascularis of rats, so did SP. In spiral ganglion cell plasm the expression of VIP and SP had no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); in stria vascularis the expression of VIP of the hypertension group was higher than the normal (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in SP was found between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
VIP not only contributes to regulate the cochlea microcirculation, but also acts as the neurotransmitter in the pathway of the auditory system. However, SP may be only a neurotransmitter in the pathway of the auditory system.
Ding
Juan
J
Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
Gong
Shusheng
S
D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide