Changes in the distribution of the substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibers in the laryngeal mucosa of chronically hypoxic rats

The distribution and abundance of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive nerve fibers in four different regions of the laryngeal mucosa were compared between normoxic and chronically hypoxic rats (10% O2 and 3.0-4.0% CO, for 3 months). In the chronically hypoxic laryngeal mucosa, the number of SP and CGRP fibers within and just beneath the epithelium, and around the laryngeal gland was increased in comparison with those in the normoxic controls. Especially in the epiglottic and arytenoid regions, the number of intraepithelial SP fibers was increased remarkably. Most intraepithelial SP and CGRP fibers penetrated into the epithelium to extend to the lumina1 surface. There was no distinct difference in the distribution and abundance of these peptidergic fibers in the mucosa of the normoxic and chronically hypoxic vocal cord regions. These results suggest that the increased density of SP and CGRP fibers within the epithelium of the upper laryngeal mucosa is a predominant feature of hypoxic adaptation, and this may be involved in airway protection, swallowing, and other functions in the chronically hypoxic environment. In addition, the increased SP and CGRP fibers around the laryngeal gland suggest an enhanced mucous secretion, and this may participate in the airway defense mechanism in low O2 conditions