Substance P is a functional neurotransmitter in the rat parotid gland.

The technique of electrical field stimulation was employed to stimulate the intrinsic nerves of isolated rat parotid gland fragments. Responses to field stimulation were recorded as changes in enzyme secretion (amylase release), radiolabelled ion fluxes (86Rb efflux) and electrophysiological effects (changes in acinar cell membrane potential and input resistance). All effects of field stimulation were abolished by the neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX). Selective use of pharmacological antagonists revealed that both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to this tissue were being excited by field stimulation. Importantly a significant component of the response to field stimulation persisted in the presence of combined autonomic receptor blockade by atropine, phentolamine and propranolol, i.e. due to release of a non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic neurotransmitter. The non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic neurotransmitter evoked amylase release, 86Rb efflux and electrophysiological effects seen as changes in acinar cell membrane potential and conductance, i.e. stimulus-permeability coupled. Two biologically active peptides, substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were shown to evoke amylase release in the presence of combined autonomic blockade. VIP however did not evoke any increase in 86Rb efflux, i.e. not stimulus-permeability coupled. All the effects of the non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic transmitter were mimicked by substance P which evokes 86Rb efflux and electrophysiological effects in addition to amylase release. The non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic field stimulus effects on amylase release and 86Rb efflux were abolished or markedly attenuated in tissues which had been desensitized by prior exposure to exogenous substance P. In the presence of VIP, however, the non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic effects persisted and were apparently potentiated. Acute application of the neurotoxin capsaicin first stimulated a transient release of amylase and subsequently abolished the non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic field stimulus-evoked enzyme release. The putative substance P antagonist, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9 substance P, reversibly blocked the response to both non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic nerve stimulation and exogenous substance P. It was demonstrated however that prolonged exposure to this antagonist is associated with non-reversible and, importantly, non-specific neurotoxic effects. It is concluded that substance P or a closely related peptide is a functional neurotransmitter in the rat parotid gland.