Distribution of spinal cord nerve endings containing various neurotransmitters on a continuous density gradient

Homogenates of rat dorsal or ventral spinal cord were subjected to centrifugation on a continuous density gradient. The gradient was generated according to a new method with the aid of a microprocessor-controlled HPLC pump. The distribution of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPI) and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SRIFI) across the gradient showed two peaks. The SPI peak seen at lower density was found only in dorsal spinal cord tissue. No peak of SPI was seen at this position in homogenates prepared from the spinal cords of capsaicin-pretreated rats. The second peak of SPI, found at a higher density, was accompanied by peaks in the levels of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), [14C]glycine, and [3H]norepinephrine uptake. This peak was seen at the same density in the dorsal and the ventral spinal cord. Tissue derived from capsaicin-pretreated rats exhibited one peak of SPI, accompanied by a maximum of [14C]glycine uptake. The uptake of [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid ( [3H]GABA) was found to have a maximum at a somewhat lower density than that of [14C]glycine. It is concluded that the peak of SPI found at lower density in the dorsal spinal cord is associated with nerve endings belonging to capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents, while other endings, including those also containing 5-HT, are probably associated with the peak of SPI found at higher density.