[Airway neuropeptides--what is their role in physiopathology?].

Research work over the last ten years has identified a nonadrenergic, non cholinergic innervation in the upper and lower airways, in man and other animals. This innervation has two components: An excitatory bronchoconstrictor component, of which the neurotransmitters are peptides, substance P, neurokinin A, CGRP and gastrin-releasing peptide. A bronchodilating component known as inhibitor, of which the neurotransmitters are the vasoactive intestinal peptide and nitric oxide. Those neurotransmitters effect all the systems that are involved in allergic respiratory diseases, asthma and allergic rhinitis. They may therefore have a role to play in the physiopathology of these diseases.