Modulating effect of beta-endorphin, somatostatin, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide on the proliferative response of peripheral blood T lymphocytes of nickel-allergic patients to nickel sulfate.

The influence of beta-endorphin, somatostatin, substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was tested on the proliferative response of peripheral blood T lymphocytes of nickel-allergic subjects to nickel sulfate. With somatostatin, 10(-6)-10(-10) M, SP, 10(-9) and VIP, 10(-7)-10(-8) M, added 1 h after nickel sulfate, there was an enhancement of the response, while a slight suppression was obtained with SP, 10(-6) M. At 3 days after nickel sulfate, beta-endorphin, 10(-6)-10(-12) M, somatostatin, 10(-7)-10(-9) M and SP, 10(-7)-10(-11) M, gave an enhancement of the response.