Neutral endopeptidase modulates tachykinin-induced increase in vascular permeability in guinea pig skin.

To determine the regulatory role of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in the tachykinin-induced increase in vascular permeability, we examined the effects of NEP inhibitors and of other protease inhibitors on plasma extravasation induced by intradermal injection of substance P, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B in guinea pig skin. The three tachykinins induced plasma extravasation in concentration-dependent fashions. A significant NEP activity was found to be present in the guinea pig skin. The tachykinin-induced responses were increased by the NEP inhibitors phosphoramidon and thiorphan. However, other protease inhibitors, including a kininase II inhibitor, did not affect the response. We conclude that NEP modulates the tachykinin-induced increase in vascular permeability in the skin.