Plasma Neuropeptide Pattern in Acute Idiopathic Urticaria

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Abstract
Immediate hypersensitivity responses, as acute urticaria, produce a release of neuropeptides by nerve endings, which present specificity of recognition by mast cells, basophils and other target cells. We have measured vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin, bombesin, neurotensin and β-endorphin by radio-immunoassay in plasma extracts of 20 patients with acute idiopathic urticaria and of 20 healthy subjects. VIP-and β-endorphin-like immunoreactivities were found to be significantly decreased with respect to controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). On the contrary, somatostatin- and bombesin-like immunoreactivities were significantly increased (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). These findings could be a reflection in blood of a raised release of somatostatin and bombesin by nerve endings in the urticaria process. Moreover, the decreased plasma levels of VIP- and β-endorphin-like immunoreactivities could be explained by a raised specific metabolism of these peptides in the urticaria process.