Some neuropeptides as modulators of experimental contact allergy

Abstract
The role of some peptides in allergic contact dermatitis was investigated. The neuropeptides: substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and somatostatin, as well as the SP antagonist spantide, were injected into the same skin sites as the antigen in patients with contact allergy to nickel. The neuropeptides did not influence the eczematous reactions but spantide diminished it. This might speak for a pathogenetic role of SP in allergic contact dermatitis.