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Elevation of cerebrospinal fluid substance P concentrations in spina bifida
Insights
Concentrations of substance P (a peptide neurotransmitter) were significantly higher in the cerebrospinal fluid of babies and fetuses with spina bifida compared to normal controls. This suggests a role for substance P in spinal cord development and neurological deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Substance P is a peptide with known neurotransmitter and potential trophic functions.
- Spina bifida is a complex neural tube defect affecting spinal cord development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of substance P in individuals with and without spina bifida, both pre- and post-natally.
- To explore the potential role of substance P in the pathogenesis and neurological deficits associated with spina bifida.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to quantify substance P levels.
- CSF samples were analyzed from ten babies and one fetus with spina bifida, and compared to five normal babies and ten normal fetuses.
Main Results:
- Substance P concentrations were markedly elevated in the CSF of spina bifida babies (864 +/- 357.6 fmol/ml) compared to normal babies (141 +/- 14.2 fmol/ml).
- Pre-natal analysis revealed significantly higher substance P levels in spina bifida fetuses (150,000 fmol/ml) versus normal fetuses (22,673 +/- 8,340 fmol/ml).
- Elevated substance P levels were observed both pre- and post-natally in individuals with spina bifida.
Conclusions:
- Grossly elevated substance P concentrations in CSF are associated with spina bifida.
- Substance P may play a role in abnormal spinal cord development characteristic of spina bifida.
- Abnormal substance P levels might exacerbate neurological deficits in spina bifida, suggesting potential future therapeutic targets.
Abstract:
Concentrations of substance P, a peptide believed to have neurotransmitter and possible trophic functions, were determined by radioimmune assay in the cerebrospinal fluids of ten babies and one foetus with spina bifida, and compared to those of five normal babies and ten normal foetuses. The results (mean +/- S.E.M.) were: spina bifida babies (864 +/- 357.6 fmol ml-1), normal babies (141 +/- 14.2 fmol ml-1), spina bifida foetuses (150,000 fmol ml-1), normal foetuses (22,673 +/- 8,340 fmol ml-1). Hence, in spina bifida cerebrospinal fluid substance P concentrations were grossly elevated both pre- and post-natally. The significance of these results can be considered from two aspects: there is the possibility that substance P plays a role in the development of the spinal cord which is disturbed in spina bifida; as substance P has been shown to be involved with sensory perception and autonomic reflexes, abnormal concentration of substance P in cerebrospinal fluid may aggravate the neurological deficit in spina bifida. Possibly, therapeutic manipulation of substance P, when available in the future, may be considered in these patients.