Role of nitric oxide in the actions of substance P and other mediators of inflammation in rat skin microvasculature

Abstract

The role of nitric oxide in inflammatory responses to substance P and other mediators of inflammation was examined in rat skin microvasculature in a blister base raised on the hind footpad. Superfusion of substance P (1 μM) over the blister base caused an increase in plasma extravasation and a vasodilator response which was not maintained. NG-Nitro-l-arginine (100 μM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide biosynthesis, attenuated vasodilatation and plasma extravasation due to substance P. The inactive NG-nitro-d-arginine was without effect. Neurokinin A (1 μM), 5-hydroxytryptamine (1 μM), ATP (50 μM) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (1 μM) elicited vasodilatation, which for vasoactive intestina..