Korean J Dermatol.  1996 Apr;34(2):273-278.

A Comparative Study of Distribution and Expression of neuropeptide Immunoreactive Nerve Fibers in Normal Skins and the Skins from the patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia

• Lee HJ
• Sung KJ
• Koh JK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neuropeptides are biologically active polypeptides in sensory afferent nerve fibers and autonomic afferent nerve fibers, where they coexist with neurotransmitters. In additian to the neurotransmitter or neuroendocrine role, neuropeptides play a role in mitogenic action in tissues and modulation in immure response. The cutaneous diseases which may be related to neuropeptides are psoiriasis, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, postherpetic neuralgia, hemodialysis related pruritus, and scleorderma.
OBJECTIVES
We carried out two kinds of experiments to study the role of neuropeptides in postherpetic neuralgia. Firstly, we investigated the occurrence and distribution of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene relating peptide(CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP), neuropeptide Y (NY), neurokinin A(NA), and somatostatin in normal human skin, provided the principal information needed to identify the neuropeptide role in several cutaneous diseases. Secondly, we compared the distribution of neuropeptides in normal skin and those in the skin of patients with postherpetic neuralgia.
METHODS
We used the indirect immunofluorescence staining method to achieve two objectives mentioned above.
RESULTS
In almost all regions of normal human skin and the skin of patients with postherpetic neuralgia, significant amounts of SP, CGRP, VIP, NY, NA, and somatostatin immunoreactive nerve fibers(IRNF) were found. CGRP, VIP, and NY IRNF were more frequently observed around sweat glands and blood vessels. Only VIP IRNF were found occasionally in the epidermis.
CONCLUSION
There was no difference between the neuropeptides IRNF of the skin from patients with postherpetic neuralgia and those of the normal skin except the absence of VIP IRNF in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.

Keyword

Neuropeptide; Postherpetic neuralgia; Immunofluorescence

MeSH Terms

Blood Vessels
Calcitonin
Dermatitis, Atopic
Epidermis
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
Humans
Nerve Fibers*
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*
Neuropeptide Y
Neuropeptides*
Neurotransmitter Agents
Peptides
Pruritus
Renal Dialysis
Skin*
Somatostatin
Substance P
Sweat Glands
Urticaria
Calcitonin
Neuropeptide Y
Neuropeptides
Neurotransmitter Agents
Peptides
Somatostatin
Substance P