Effects of central and peripheral administration of neuropeptide s on the level of serum proinflammatory cytokines in pigs.
OBJECTIVE
The recently discovered neuropeptide S (NPS) and its cognate receptor represent a novel system of neuromodulation and are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. NPS has been implicated in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine secretion in the pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) of pigs in vitro. In this study, we tested the hypothesis whether either central or peripheral injection of NPS would stimulate the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines in pigs.


METHODS
In experiment 1, pigs were fitted with an intracerebroventricular cannula and indwelling jugular catheters, and were then randomly assigned to receive 10 or 30 nmol NPS in artificial cerebrospinal fluid. In experiment 2, pigs were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters, and randomly received 15 or 30 nmol NPS in saline. Serial blood samples were collected every 10 min for 1 h before and for 2 h after injections, and serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined.


RESULTS
Serum concentrations of these cytokines were increased in pigs that received central and peripheral injection of NPS, and the elevated secretion of these cytokines was in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of serum proinflammatory cytokines could be activated by both central and peripheral administration of NPS in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the pig. The present data support the concept that NPS may be considered as a potent modulator for the immune system and may play an important role in the inflammation and immune system of pigs.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing,P.R. China.
Yuan
Y
Yao
Juan
J
Su
Fan
F
Zhang
Zhihai
Z
Lei
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D009479:Neuropeptides; C069624:SALMFamide 1; C069625:SALMFamide 2