Peptide Substance P and NK-1 Relieve Heat Stress

University of Oregon researchers have been studying the relationship of peptide substance P and its related neurokinin-reception (NK-1) for greater understanding of how the body works to release body heat and to stay cool.

They have found that the NK-1 receptor was responsible for turning on and off amount of blood flowing to the surface of the skin.

Typically, the blood rises to the surface of the skin to cool the body down, for example through sweating. When NK-1 was blocked, much less blood traveled to the surface of the skin.

NK-1 turned on and off based on the amount of substance P in the system. Substance P is now thought to be the major factor causing dilation of blood vessels in the skin.

This has important implications, not just for heat regulation in the summer, but also for people with diseases which cause their bodies to heat or cool too quickly, such as in diabetes, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, cystic fibrosis, and, sometimes, even in healthy aging.

Determining the exact process by which substance P acts on NK-1 will offer new ideas for skin regulation of body temperature.