INCREASED LEVELS OF SUBSTANCE-P AND CALCITONIN-GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE IN RAT ADJUVANT ARTHRITIS - A COMBINED IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND RADIOIMMUNOASSAY ANALYSIS
M. Ahmed et al., INCREASED LEVELS OF SUBSTANCE-P AND CALCITONIN-GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE IN RAT ADJUVANT ARTHRITIS - A COMBINED IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND RADIOIMMUNOASSAY ANALYSIS, Arthritis and rheumatism, 38(5), 1995, pp. 699-709
Objective. To analyze the occurrence of substance P (SP) and calcitoni
n gene-related peptide (CGRP) in ankle joints and corresponding dorsal
root ganglia (L2-L6) of rats with adjuvant arthritis. Methods. Arthri
tis was induced by inoculation with heat-killed mycobacteria. The morp
hologic distribution of SP and CGRP was assessed by immunohistochemica
l analysis. Tissue concentrations of the neuropeptides were determined
by radioimmunoassay. Results. Neuronal CGRP-like immunoreactivity was
clearly increased in the synovium and the dorsal root ganglia, wherea
s the increase in SP-positive structures was less pronounced, The tiss
ue concentrations of SP and CGRP were significantly increased both in
ankle joints and in dorsal root ganglia. Conclusion. Levels of sensory
neuropeptides are increased under conditions of joint inflammation.