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Immunohistochemical localisation of substance P in human parotid gland
B D Whitley1, J W Ferguson, A J Harris
1Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract:
Based on the clinical observation that pain is experienced during parotid 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 immunofluorescence technique, with rat parotid gland and spinal cord serving as controls. SP-containing neuronal elements occurred around acini, blood vessels and ducts. It is suggested that some of the SP-immunoreactive elements are the unmyelinated and thinly myelinated small diameter (A delta and C) fibres, which are regarded as the peripheral receptors for nociceptive information.