Decreases in substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide concentrations in plasma of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In order to study alterations of peripheral substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the immunoreactive nervous system in essential hypertension, plasma SP and VIP concentrations in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) at 8, 12, 18, 28, 30, 35 and 48 weeks of age and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were measured, using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). The mean plasma SP concentrations of SHRSP (n = 61) and WKY (n = 58) were 4.9 +/- 1.2 fmol/ml and 6.6 +/- 1.9 fmol/ml, respectively. The value of SHRSP was significantly lower than that of WKY (p < 0.01). The mean SP concentration of young SHRSP was significantly higher than those of other ages. The mean plasma VIP concentrations of SHRSP (n = 61) and WKY (n = 58) were 0.80 +/- 0.25 fmol/ml and 1.01 +/- 0.32 fmol/ml, respectively. The value of SHRSP was significantly lower than that of WKY (p < 0.01). These decreases in plasma SP and VIP concentrations of SHRSP were observed at all ages. Decreases in the peripheral release of SP and VIP from the endings of SP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves of SHRSP were seen, and the functional involution of peripheral SP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves in essential hypertension was suggested.