Prostaglandin release and nociceptor stimulation by peptides

The effects of substance P, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, cholecystokinin octapeptide, eledoisin and bombesin on release and metabolism of incorporated (1-14C)-arachidonic acid was investigated in the isolated rabbit ear. The influence of eledoisin and bombesin on release of prostaglandins was compared with that of bradykinin (Sametz and Juan 1982). Only eledoisin and bombesin stimulated the release of prostaglandins I2 and E2 but with a lesser potency than bradykinin. Only eledoisin in a high dose stimulated nociceptors per se whereas bombesin did not. Eledoisin and bombesin in a low dose enhanced nocicpetion induced by acetylcholine in the rabbit ear; this enhancement of the algesic effect of acetylcholine was abolished by indometacin which indicates a sensitization of nociceptors by released prostaglandins. Although effects of eledoisin and bombesin are mediated at least in part by released prostaglandins, the nociceptor-stimulating and prostaglandin-releasing potency of bradykinin remaines unique among all peptides tested so far.