Release of substance-P-like immunoreactivity in dog paw lymph after scalding injury.

The level of substance-P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in dog paw lymph was determined before and after scalding injury of the paw. At basal conditions, no SPLI could be detected in the paw lymph. Scalding induced an immediate increase of the SPLI-levels. Within 5-10 min after the scalding injury the levels increased up to 28 fmol ml-1 and then gradually decreased within 30-90 min after the injury. It is suggested that scalding injury results in release of substance P from sensory nerve endings, and that this release may contribute to the inflammatory response to scalding injury and, possibly, also wound healing.