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Substance P Research Paper

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Substance P is a peptide, found in the spinal cord and regions of the brain involved with emotional behavior. As our textbook states, all peptides are produced from precursor molecules that are large polypeptides broken down by special enzymes (Carlson, 123); substance P is produced from a polyprotein precursor after gene splicing of the preprotachykinin A gene. Studies show that Substance P is secreted by dendritic cells, various inflammatory cells, and nerves. It binds to the neurokinin-1 receptor, which allows it to transmit pain information in the muscles, skin, and joints, and stress signals from sensory nerves to the central nervous system. Substance P (SP) with the NK-1R is involved in regulation of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The most important function of SP is that it is the main way the body processes …show more content…
High levels of SP and NK-1R also correspond with inflammatory bowel disease. Studies involving mice have shown that SP is also implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus. Substance P is involved in all inflammatory conditions because it is inflammatory by nature; some pro-inflammatory effects include an increase in vascular leakage and formation of immune complexes in lung tissue. SP is also suggested to be involved in the development of fibromyalgia. Abundant levels of SP in the spinal cord can cause heightened awareness of pain. A high intensity of emotional stress or physical pain can produce more SP than is necessary. Increased Substance P can cause effects such as disturbed sleep, fatigue, anxiety, respiratory conflicts, digestive inflammation, and poor stress tolerance. Too much SP can irritate the heart due to disruption in proper heart rate and heart rhythms. While researching, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “is there anything beneficial about Substance P?” The only positive effect of SP I could find is that it plays a role in wound

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