Neurogenic plasma extravasation in the rat nasal mucosa is potentiated by peptidase inhibitors.

The increase in vascular permeability associated with neurogenic inflammation in the nasal mucosa is mediated by neuropeptides such as substance P released from sensory nerves. Substance P is degraded by the peptidases neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (NEP-24.11) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). In the present study, we used capsaicin to produce neurogenic inflammation in the nasal mucosa of rats, and we examined the effect of inhibition of NEP-24.11 by phosphoramidon, inhibition of ACE by captopril or inhibition of both enzymes by giving both inhibitors. Using as tracers intravenous Evans blue dye to quantify the extravasation and Monastral blue pigment to localize the sites of leakage, we examined the magnitude and distribution of capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation in the nasoturbinates, maxilloturbinates, ethmoidal turbinates and septum. Capsaicin caused a dose-dependent increase in Evans blue extravasation in the naso- and maxilloturbinates but had only a slight effect in the septum. The leaky blood vessels responsible for this plasma extravasation, as manifested by Monastral blue labeling, were most numerous in the naso- and maxilloturbinates, particularly near the front and free borders. After phosphoramidon, the leakage of Monastral blue was more widespread and extended in a more caudal direction. The response to capsaicin was augmented by phosphoramidon alone but not by captopril alone. However, in the presence of phosphoramidon, captopril further augmented the capsaicin-induced extravasation. We conclude that neurogenic inflammation in the rat nasal mucosa is greatest in the naso- and maxilloturbinates and can be modulated by NEP-24.11 and, to a lesser extent, by ACE.