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Previous Volume 336:1094-1096 April 10, 1997 Number 15 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Even in antiquity it was known that inflammation has both beneficial and adverse effects, but only recently have we begun to elucidate how the body maintains a balance between host defenses and tissue injury. This balance is especially important in the lung, where despite protective mechanical and physical forces, noxious agents constantly assault lower respiratory epithelial surfaces.

More than 25 years ago, the importance of neurogenic control of pulmonary inflammation was suggested by a study of a tachykinin neuropeptide called substance P.¹ Ablation of substance P–producing sensory neurons by capsaicin, the irritant agent in hot pepper, markedly inhibited the noxious . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Carpenter, T. C., Stenmark, K. R. (2001). Hypoxia decreases lung neprilysin expression and increases pulmonary vascular leak. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 281: L941-L948 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• PIEDIMONTE, G. (2001). Neural Mechanisms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-induced Inflammation and Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Sequelae. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 163: S18-21 [Full Text]  
• COSIO, M. G., GUERASSIMOV, A. (1999). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease . Inflammation of Small Airways and Lung Parenchyma. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 160: S21-25 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Piedimonte, G., Rodriguez, M. M., King, K. A., McLean, S., Jiang, X. (1999). Respiratory syncytial virus upregulates expression of the substance P receptor in rat lungs. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 277: L831-L840 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Michaels, L. A., Ohene-Frempong, K., Zhao, H., Douglas, S. D. (1998). Serum Levels of Substance P Are Elevated in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease and Increase Further During Vaso-Occlusive Crisis. Blood 92: 3148-3151 [Abstract] [Full Text]