Galanin and somatostatin inhibition of neurokinin A and B induced airway mucus secretion in the rat.

Neurokinin A and B are present in neurons situated in lung and NK-1 receptors have been described on tracheal submucosal gland cells. In the present study we compared the ability of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) to stimulate airway mucus secretion. Furthermore, we characterized the interaction of NKA and NKB with galanin and somatostatin. The rank order of the tachykinins to stimulate airway mucus secretion was SP > NKA > NKB suggesting that NK-1 receptors mediate these effects(EC50:SP: 50 nmol/l, NKA: 200 nmol/l, NKB: 400 nmol/l). Galanin and somatostatin were equally potent to inhibit NK-A and NK-B stimulated airway mucus release. These results suggest that NK-A and NK-B are potent stimulators of airway macromolecule secretion. Galanin and somatostatin potently inhibit these actions of the tachykinins. Therefore, airway mucus secretion is controlled by a complex network of several different mediators.