Possible role of substance P on regulation of pituitary-adrenal axis

The effects of chronic immobilization stress on the physiological responses of male rats were studied. The results indicate that the SP-like immunoreactivity (SPLIR) is diminished in the adrenals and pituitary after chronic stress. In vitro noradrenaline (NA) release from adrenals was increased. The i.p. administration of SP during the stress procedure normalized the increased NA release in vitro indicating that the catecholamine secretion may be influenced by SP. On the other hand, in demedullated animals the SPLIR in the pituitary was partly reduced and the blood pressure was increased. In such animals chronic stress resulted in an increase of SPLIR in the pituitary in comparison with nonstressed, demedullated animals, but was without effect on the blood pressure. It is concluded that exposure to SP and the resulting decrease of noradrenaline release may have a significant influence on the pituitary-adrenal responsiveness to stress.