Experimentally-induced neurogenic inflammation in the rat oral mucosa.

Blood flow and vascular permeability in the gingiva and alveolar mucosa of the lower jaw were studied after the antidromic (electric) or orthodromic (topical administration of capsaicin onto the oral mucosa) stimulation of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in rats with or without capsaicin pretreatment. Blood flow was determined using 86Rb isotope dilution technique, while vascular permeability was assessed by the Evans blue extravasation. Both antidromic or orthodromic stimulation of the IAN increased blood flow and Evans blue extravasation. Capsaicin pretreatment abolished the increase in gingivo-mucosal blood flow and vascular permeability induced by nerve stimulation. The results of the present study appear to confirm the possibility of the development of neurogenic inflammation in the oral cavity. The mechanism observed may play a role in the development of certain inflammatory reactions in the oral mucosa frequently encountered in human clinical practice.