IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF SUBSTANCE-P IN HUMAN PAROTID-GLAND

Based on the clinical observation that pain is experienced during paro tid gland surgery under local anaesthesia, the presence of the sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) was sought. Using a polyclonal antibody , the presence of SP was demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescenc e technique, with rat parotid gland and spinal cord serving as control s. SP-containing neuronal elements occurred around acini, blood vessel s and ducts. It is suggested that some of the SP-immunoreactive elemen ts are the unmyelinated and thinly myelinated small diameter (A-delta and C) fibres, which are regarded as the peripheral receptors for noci ceptive information.