Inhibitory modulation of cutaneous vascular responses by endogenous galanin in the pigeon

Abstract

The possible role of endogenous galanin in modulation of cutaneous vascular responses was studied in pigeons. Chemically induced plasma extravasation and regional skin blood flow changes were measured simultaneously with a capillary perfusion technique and a laser Doppler imager, respectively. Perfusion with both histamine and bradykinin increased plasma protein extravasation which was dose-dependently and significantly augmented by co-administration of M35, a specific galanin antagonist. This effect of M35 was abolished after chronic cutaneous denervation. In intact but not denervated skin, M35 increased the vasodilatatory effect of histamine, too. It is suggested that galanin-containing nerves may play an inhibitory efferent role in the modulation of cutaneous inflammatory responses.