Skin vascular reactivity to the neuropeptide substance P in rats with peripheral mononeuropathy

A compression neuropathy model that produces pain-related behaviour in rats was used to investigate changes in skin vascular reactivity in the innervated area. Neuropathy was produced by 4 ligatures tied loosely around the common sciatic nerve. Vascular reactivity was assessed via perfusion of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) over the base of a blister raised on the rat foot pad. Compared to sham-operated rats, experimental rats exhibited a decrease in their vasodilatation response to SP 2-5 weeks after ligatures were tied. A bilateral decrease in vasodilatation to sodium nitroprusside perfusion in treated rats suggested part of the altered SP response was due to diminished vascular reactivity. Plasma extravasation in response to SP was also decreased on the operated side of ligatured rats, significant 4 and 6 weeks after the operation. The results support studies that suggest neurogenic inflammation is altered in chronic neuropathic pain states.