ABSTRACT
A new hypothesis integrates neuropeptides such as vasointestinal peptide, neurokinin A, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and substance P (SP) into the pathophysiological considerations of the development of bronchial-inflammatory diseases. Since bronchial hyperreactivity is one of the main diagnostic features of bronchial asthma, it is important to evaluate its underlying causes. This chapter discusses allergic bronchial asthma and describes substance P in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in grass pollen-allergic patients before and after allergen provocation to obtain more information about the role of substance P and ß-endorphin. Comparing the baseline concentrations for substance P, there was a significant difference between patients and volunteers. The baseline concentration of SP was 6.8 times higher in allergic persons. The same finding was observed for ß-endorphin, where the baseline was 14.3 times higher in patients than in volunteers. The results provide evidence that baseline concentrations of substance P and ß-endorphin in BAL fluid of allergic asthmatics was significantly elevated.
