Neuropeptide Y potentiates purinergic as well as adrenergic responses of the rabbit ear artery

Effect of Atropine on Denervated Rabbit Ear Blood Vessels

Surgical denervation of rabbit ear blood vessel beds was combined with the isolated perfused rabbit ear technique to investigate the mechanism of atropine's vasodilator action. Intramuscular injection of atropine 0.2 mg/kg dilated the denervated blood vessels in the rabbit ear like innervated ones in vivo. Atropine at the maximal concentration (Cmax) of 3 x 10(-6) to 3 x 10(-4) M did not increase effluent flow of the isolated perfused denervated rabbit ear under constant perfusion pressure, but chlorpromazine at a Cmax of 10(-6) M and acetylcholine (ACh) at 2.5 x 10(-7) M significantly increased it and noradrenaline (NA) at 10(-7) M significantly decreased it. Atropine at Cmax of 3 x 10(-7) M did not affect, but at 3 x 10(-6) M it abolished the increase of the effluent flow induced by ACh 2.5 x 10(-7) M. Atropine at 3 x 10(-7) M did not affect it, but at 10(-6), 3 x 10(-6), and 10(-5) it significantly alleviated the decrease of effluent flow induced by NA 10(-7) M. Because the increase of effluent flow of rabbit ear under constant perfusion pressure reflects vasodilation of the ear to some extent, the study suggests that atropine has no direct vasodilator action; its vasodilator action is not attributed to blockade of M-cholinoreceptors located on the vascular wall; however, the alpha1-adrenoceptor might be a target site mediating atropine's vasodilator action in vivo.

Somatosensory organization and behavior in naked mole-rats: II. Peripheral structures, innervation, and selective lack of neuropeptides associated with thermoregulation and pain

African naked mole-rats are subterranean rodents that have a robust orienting response to stimulation of unique vibrissa-like body hairs that are widely spaced over an otherwise hairless skin. To determine whether these large body hairs have a specialized organization similar to facial vibrissae, the structure and innervation of facial vibrissa follicles, body hair follicles, and intervening skin in naked mole-rats was compared with that in rats and a furred African mole-rat species (the common mole-rat). Immunofluorescence and lectin-binding analyses revealed that the body hair follicles in naked mole-rats were exceptionally large and well innervated, similar to guard hairs of furred species. However, these body vibrissae lacked the anatomic specializations and unique types of innervation affiliated with follicle sinus complexes of facial vibrissae. In contrast to the furred species, naked mole-rats had a paucity of Abeta-fiber Merkel endings at all peripheral locations. Naked mole-rats also were completely lacking in cutaneous C-fibers immunoreactive for substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. In contrast, the hairless skin of the naked mole-rats had an exceptional abundance of presumptive Adelta-fibers. The unusual features of the cutaneous innervation in naked mole-rats are presumably adaptations to their subterranean environment and that they are the only known poikilothermic mammal. The features of this mammalian model system provide unique opportunities to discriminate mechanisms related to tactile spatial orientation, vascular regulation, and nociception.

Dissociation of potentiation of Leu31 Pro34 neuropeptide Y on adrenergic and purinergic transmission in isolated canine splenic artery

The present study observed the effects of an activation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptors on adrenergic and purinergic components of double-peaked vasoconstrictor responses to periarterial nerve stimulation in the isolated, perfused canine splenic arteries. The results showed that 3-30 nM Leu31 Pro34 neuropeptide Y (LP-NPY) produced a dose-dependent potentiation of double-peaked vasoconstrictor responses to trains of 30-s pulses at 1, 4 or 10 Hz of stimulation. The potentiation of LP-NPY of the nerve-stimulated vasoconstrictions were completely inhibited by subsequent blockade of alpha1-adrenoceptors or Y1 receptors with 0.1 microM prazosin or with 1 microM BIBP 3226 ((R)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-argininami de), respectively. The remaining responses in the presence of LP-NPY and prazosin were abolished by P2X receptor desensitization with 1 microM alpha,beta-methylene ATP. Moreover, 30 nM LP-NPY failed to modify the vasoconstrictor responses to nerve stimulation after treatment with prazosin. A subsequent administration of alpha,beta-methylene ATP completely suppressed the remaining responses after prazosin and LP-NPY. The vasoconstrictions induced by 0.003-1 nmol noradrenaline and 0.003-1 micromol ATP were slightly, but not significantly enhanced by 30 nM LP-NPY. The observations indicated that activation of postjunctional NPY Y1 receptors may have an important role in the modulation of adrenergic rather than purinergic transmission of the sympathetic co-transmission.

Effects of neuropeptide Y on double-peaked constrictor responses to periarterial nerve stimulation in isolated, perfused canine splenic arteries

The periarterial electrical nerve stimulation readily induced a double-peaked vasoconstriction in the isolated, perfused canine splenic artery. P2X-Purinoceptors have previously been shown to be involved mainly in the 1st-phase response and alpha 1-adrenoceptors, mostly in the 2nd-one. The dose used of neuropeptide Y (NPY) (0.01-0.1 microM) given into the preparation caused a slight but insignificant vasoconstriction. The treatment with NPY at concentrations of 0.01-0.1 microM produced a parallel inhibition on the 1st- and 2nd-phase responses following nerve stimulation at the frequencies used (1-10 Hz) in a dose-dependent manner. The vasoconstrictor responses to administered ATP (0.01-1 mumol) or noradrenaline (0.03-3 nmol) were slightly but not significantly potentiated by 0.1 microM NPY. The results indicate that NPY predominantly exerts a prejunctionally inhibitory modulation on the purinergic and adrenergic transmission in peripheral sympathetic nerves innervating the canine splenic artery.

Regional differences in sympathetic neurotransmission to cutaneous arteries in the guinea-pig isolated ear

The effects of sympathetic nerve stimulation on different cutaneous arteries were examined in arteries isolated from guinea-pig ears, by measuring membrane potential changes in smooth muscle cells in response to electrical field stimulation. Resting membrane potential (RMP) was similar in proximal (main ear artery) and distal (3rd or 4th branch order) cutaneous arteries (mean -71 mV). Single stimuli evoked excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) in all arteries. The EJPs in proximal arteries were twice the amplitude, and the time constant of EJP decay was almost half the value, compared with distal cutaneous arteries. EJP amplitude was reduced by > 90% by suramin (30 microM) or alpha,beta,methylene-ATP (alpha,beta,m-ATP)(1 microM) in all proximal, and most distal arteries. Residual responses in distal arteries were resistant to tetrodotoxin. The N-type calcium channel blocker, omega-conotoxin GVIA (30 nM), reduced EJP amplitude by 70-100% in both proximal and distal arteries. Successive EJPs evoked by trains of stimuli at 1 to 5 Hz were depressed in amplitude in proximal arteries, but showed facilitation in distal arteries. EJP depression in proximal arteries was reversed to facilitation by the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine (30 nM). Trains of stimuli delivered at 10-20 Hz produced summation of EJPs and active membrane responses in 30% of proximal arteries. Active responses were never detected in distal arteries. Slow depolarizations following the EJPs were detected in most arteries after trains of stimuli, and were abolished by prazosin (0.3 microM) or omega-conotoxin GVIA (30 nM). The density of the perivascular plexus of axons innervating proximal arteries, demonstrated with catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry, was twice that in distal cutaneous arteries. These regional differences in sympathetic neurotransmission suggest that cutaneous vasoconstriction in response to thermoregulatory stimuli, which occurs predominantly in distal cutaneous segments, is likely to be qualitatively different from cutaneous vasoconstriction of proximal arteries in response to other physiological stimuli.

Neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors in vascular pharmacology

The existence of neurogenic mediator candidates apart from noradrenaline and acetylcholine involved in the control of vascular tone has attracted enormous attention during the past few decades. One such mediator is neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is co-localized with noradrenaline in sympathetic perivascular nerves. Stimulation of sympathetic nerves in vitro and in vivo causes non-adrenergic vasoconstriction which can be blocked by experimental manipulations that inhibit NPY mechanisms. Thus, the vasopressor response to stimulation of sympathetic nerves can be attenuated by chemical or surgical sympathectomy, treatment with reserpine or other pharmacological agents, and tachyphylaxis to NPY or by NPY antagonists. The NPY field was long plagued by a lack of specific antagonists, but with the recently developed, selective, non-peptide and stable NPY antagonists it has now become possible to study subtypes of this receptor family. For instance, it has become clear that the NPY Y1 receptor mediates most of the direct peripheral effects of NPY on vascular tone. These antagonists promise to stimulate NPY research and will likely unravel the true significance of NPY in cardiovascular control under physiological conditions as well as in pathophysiological states.

Neuropeptide Y-induced potentiation of noradrenergic vasoconstriction in the human saphenous vein: involvement of endothelium generated thromboxane

1. We investigated the potentiating effect of low concentrations of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the vasoconstriction induced by transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) and noradrenaline (NA) in human saphenous veins. The effects of (i) endothelium removal; (ii) the addition of the NO pathway precursor L-arginine; (iii) the ET(A)/ET(B) endothelin receptor antagonist Ro 47-0203; (iv) the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin; (v) the selective thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor antagonists Bay u3405 and ifetroban, and (vi) the TxA2 synthase inhibitor, UK 38485, were studied in order to gain information about the mechanisms of NPY-induced potentiation. 2. Contractile response curves for TNS (0.5-8 Hz) and for exogenously administered NA (0.1-3 microM) were obtained in superfused saphenous vein rings. The contractions induced by both TNS and NA at all tested frequencies and concentrations, respectively, were significantly potentiated by 50 nM NPY in endothelium intact veins. Conversely, in endothelium-denuded vessel rings the contractile-response curves to TNS and NA overlapped both in the absence and presence of NPY, thus suggesting that a release of vasoactive substances from endothelial cells could account for the noradrenergic NPY-induced potentiation. 3. In vessels with intact endothelium, the potentiating action of NPY on TNS and NA was unaffected by the presence of high concentrations of the NO precursor L-arginine (3-10 mM) or the non-selective ET(A)/ET(B) endothelin receptor antagonist, Ro 47-0203 (10 microM). These data indicate that the NPY-induced effect does not involve either the endothelium-derived vasodilator nitric oxide or the vasoconstrictor endothelin. Conversely, in the presence of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (30 microM), NPY failed to potentiate the vasoconstrictions produced by either nerve stimulation or by exogenous NA, thus providing evidence that arachidonic acid metabolites through the cyclo-oxygenase pathway are mainly responsible for the potentiation evoked by NPY. 4. When the TxA2 receptor antagonists, Bay u 3405 (1 microM) and ifetroban (1 microM) were added to the superfusing medium, NPY did not alter either the frequency- or the concentration-response curves for either TNS or NA. Accordingly, both TNS- and NA-induced contractions were not potentiated by NPY in the presence of the TxA2 synthase inhibitor, UK 38485 (10 microM). This clearly demonstrates the pivotal role of TxA2 in NPY-induced potentiation. 5. In superfused vein rings with endothelium, a subthreshold concentration (0.2 nM) of the TxA2 mimetic U 46619 potentiated both TNS- and NA-induced vasoconstrictions. This potentiation was higher at low stimulation frequencies and low NA concentrations, and resembled that produced by NPY. 6. Our results indicate that in the human saphenous vein NPY potentiates the contractions produced by sympathetic nerve stimulation acting at the postjunctional level, primarily on endothelial cells. In particular, the NPY-induced release of a cyclo-oxygenase metabolite, namely TxA2, may have a synergistic effect on the vasoconstriction induced by the noradrenergic mediator. Thus, such a mechanism may play a key role in the maintenance of the sympathetic tone of large human capacitance vessels.

Role of G-protein beta gamma subunits in the augmentation of P2Y2 (P2U)receptor-stimulated responses by neuropeptide Y Y1 Gi/o-coupled receptors

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) significantly potentiates the constrictor actions of noradrenaline and ATP on blood vessels via a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive mechanism involving Gi/o (alpha beta gamma) protein subunits (Gi/o, GTP-binding proteins sensitive to PTX). In Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO K1) cells expressing specific receptors for these neurotransmitters, stimulation of Gi/o protein-coupled receptors for NPY and other neurotransmitters can augment the Gq/11-coupled (Gq/11, GTP-binding proteins insensitive to PTX) alpha 1B adrenoceptor- or ATP receptor-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release and inositol phosphate (IP) production (early events which may precede vasoconstriction). In this study, we have assessed the role of G beta gamma subunits in the synergistic interaction between Gi/o- (NPY Y1, 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT1B, adenosine A1) and Gq/11- [ATP P2Y2 (P2U)]-coupled receptors on AA release by using the specific abilities of regions of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK1 residues 495-689) and the transducin alpha subunit to associate with G-protein beta gamma subunit dimers and to act as G beta gamma subunit scavengers. Transient expression of beta ARK1(495-689) in CHO K1 cells heterologously expressing NPY Y1 receptors had no significant effect on the PTX-insensitive ability of ATP to stimulate AA release. Stimulation of NPY Y1 receptors (as well as the endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT1B receptor and the transiently expressed human adenosine A1 receptor) resulted in a PTX-sensitive augmentation of ATP-stimulated AA release, which was inhibited by expression of both G beta gamma subunit scavengers. Expression of beta ARK1(495-689) similarly inhibited NPY Y1 receptor augmentation of ATP-stimulated IP production (a measure of phospholipase C activity), a step thought to precede the NPY Y1 receptor-augmented protein kinase C-dependent AA release previously observed in these cells. These experiments demonstrate that G beta gamma subunits, as inhibited by two different G beta gamma scavengers, significantly contribute to the synergistic interaction between NPY Y1 Gi/o- and Gq/11-coupled receptor activity, and are required for the augmentation of IP production and AA release observed in this model cell system.

A role for neuropeptide Y in rat iridial arterioles

A role for neuropeptide Y (NPY) in neurotransmission in rat iridial arterioles has been investigated. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis has demonstrated mRNA expression for both Y1 and Y2 receptors in the superior cervical ganglion and iris. The Y1 agonist [Leu31,Pro34]NPY caused a dose-dependent constriction of iris arterioles (50% effective concentration of 10(-8) M), but, at low concentrations (10(-9) and 10(-10) M), it failed to potentiate either submaximal responses to norepinephrine (10(-6) M) or submaximal, noradrenergic responses to nerve stimulation. In contrast, 10(-7) M [Leu31,Pro34]NPY potentiated submaximal, noradrenergic responses to nerve stimulation (10 Hz, < or = 1 s) and to a concentration of norepinephrine (10(-7) M) which produced only small contractions. The Y1 antagonist 1229U91 blocked contractions induced by [Leu31,Pro34]NPY. Stimulation of the nerves for longer periods (10 or 20 Hz; 5, 30, or 60 s) revealed a component of the response which was reduced by 1229U91. This component was not apparent after brief stimuli (10 Hz, < or = 1 s), even when opposing receptor pathways were blocked. The Y2 agonist N-acetyl-[Leu28,Leu31]NPY24-36 had little effect on arterioles preconstricted with either high potassium or an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, or on nerve-mediated contractions. Results suggest that NPY, released from sympathetic nerves during long-duration, high-frequency stimulation, activates Y1 receptors on iris arterioles to produce vasoconstriction and to potentiate responses to low concentrations of norepinephrine.

Role of the purinergic and noradrenergic components in the potentiation by endothelin-1 of the sympathetic contraction of the rabbit central ear artery during cooling

1. To examine the role of the purinergic and noradrenergic components in the potentiation of endothelin-1 on the vascular response to sympathetic nerve stimulation, we recorded the isometric response of isolated segments, 2 mm long, from the rabbit central ear artery to electrical field stimulation (1-8 Hz) under different conditions, at 37 degrees C during cooling (30 degrees C). 2. Electrical field stimulation produced frequency-dependent contraction, which was reduced during cooling (about 60% for 8 Hz). Both at 37 degrees C and 30 degrees C, phentolamine (1 microM) or blockade of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors with prazosin (1 microM) reduced, whereas blockade of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors with yohimbine (1 microM) increased, the contraction to electrical field stimulation. This contraction was increased after desensitization of P2-receptors with alpha, beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha, beta-meATP, 3 microM) at 37 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C, and was not modified by blockade of P2-receptors with pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2,4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS, 30 microM) at either temperature. 3. Endothelin-1 (1, 3 and 10 nM) at 37 degrees C did not affect, but at 30 degrees C it potentiated in a concentration-dependent manner the contraction to electrical field stimulation (from 28 +/- 6 to 134 +/- 22%, for 8 Hz). At 37 degrees C, endothelin-1 in the presence of phentolamine or prazosin, but not in that of yohimbine, alpha, beta-meATP or PPADS, potentiated the contraction to electrical stimulation. At 30 degrees C, phentolamine or yohimbine reduced, prazosin did not modify and alpha, beta-meATP slightly increased the potentiation by endothelin-1 of the response to electrical stimulation. 4. The arterial contraction to ATP (2 mM) and the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist BHT-920 (10 microM), but not that to (-)-noradrenaline (1 microM), was potentiated by endothelin-1 at both 37 degrees C and 30 degrees C. 5. These results in the rabbit central ear artery suggest that the sympathetic response: (a) at 37 degrees C, could be mediated mainly by activation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, with low participation of P2-receptors, (b) is diminished during cooling, probably by a reduction in the participation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, and in this condition the response could be mediated in part by P2-receptors, and (c) is potentiated by endothelin-1 during cooling, probably by increasing the response of both postjunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptors and P2-receptors.

Neuropeptide Y modulates ATP-induced increases in internal calcium via the adenylate cyclase/protein kinase A system in a human neuroblastoma cell line

The modulatory effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on ATP-induced increases in cytosolic free-calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated in the CHP-234 human neuroblastoma cell line. Pretreatment of cells with 100 nM NPY potentiated the increase in [Ca2+]i evoked subsequently by 20 microM ATP, compared with initial application of ATP in a control experiment, whereas a similar pretreatment with 1 microM NPY attenuated the subsequent response to ATP. Both actions of NPY were completely blocked by H-89 [N-[2-((3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-2-propenyl)-amino)-ethyl]-5 isoquinoline sulphonamide dihydrochloride], a selective antagonist of protein kinase A. The effects of 100 nM NPY were mimicked by H-89, while forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP mimicked the effects of 1 microM NPY. Both basal and forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were inhibited by 100 nM NPY and by 100 nM NPY(13-36), a selective agonist of the NPY Y2-receptor subtype. In contrast, at 1 microM such inhibition was not observed for either NPY or NPY(13-36). It is concluded that NPY has a biphasic modulatory effect on increases in [Ca2+]i produced by ATP, which probably involves the cAMP/protein kinase A cascade.

Synthesis and characterization of a selective peptide antagonist of neuropeptide Y vascular postsynaptic receptors

1. A cyclic dimeric nonapeptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor antagonist, 1229U91, was synthesized by Fmoc chemistry and dimerised in solution. Its effects were assayed in mesenteric arteries from rats and mice, and in rat vas deferens. 2. Mesenteric arteries were cannulated and pressurised to 55 mmHg and the external diameters continuously measured. NPY, PYY, Leu31Pro34NPY and NPY(13-36) each caused concentration-related contractions with the order of potency PYY > or = Leu31Pro34NPY = NPY > NPY (13-36), consistent with the Y1 receptor subtype. 3. 1229U91 had no agonist activity in the arteries but caused a concentration-related rightward shift of NPY (mouse arteries) or Leu31Pro34NPY (rat) concentration-response curves. The antagonism was competitive with pKBS of 7.69 +/- 0.15 and 7.47 +/- 0.13 in the mouse and rat arteries, respectively. 4. Sympathetic nerves in the vas deferens were stimulated with a single electrical field pulse every 20 s and the twitch responses recorded. NPY, PYY, Leu31Pro34NPY and NPY(13-36) inhibited the twitches with the order of potency PYY > NPY > NPY(13-36) >> Leu31Pro34NPY, consistent with the Y2 receptor subtype. 5. 1229U91 inhibited the vas deferens twitch with a shallow concentration-response curve and a time-course of inhibition distinct from that of NPY. 1229U91 (30 microM) did not cause a rightward shift of the NPY concentration-response curve. 1229U91 is at least 5 orders of magnitude less potent in the vas deferens than in rat brain Y2 binding assays reported by others, suggesting that the brain and vas deferens Y2 receptors are different. 6. It is concluded that 1229U91 is a competitive antagonist of NPY Y1 vascular receptors and has additional properties that inhibit the electrically evoked twitch of the rat vas deferens.

Monitoring adequacy of alpha-adrenoceptor blockade following systemic phentolamine administration

Systemic phentolamine administration has been suggested as a diagnostic tool for identifying patients with sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) (Raja et al. 1991). The dose of phentolamine to produce adequate blockade of peripheral alpha-adrenoceptor function has, however, not been previously determined. In this study, the effects of two different doses of phentolamine on peripheral sympathetic vasoconstrictor function were investigated. One-hundred and seventeen (117) patients with chronic extremity pain underwent 130 phentolamine diagnostic tests using two different doses of phentolamine (0.5 mg/kg over 20 min (n = 60) and 1 mg/kg over 10 min (n = 59)). Eleven (11) patients did not receive phentolamine during the test. Cutaneous temperature was measured in the distal extremity before and after administration of phentolamine. In a subset of patients, baseline blood flow and sympathetically mediated vasoconstrictor response (SMR) to deep inhalation were measured on glabrous skin using laser Doppler flowmetry. SMR was elicited with a 5-sec maximal inspiratory gasp. A dose-related increase in cutaneous temperature was observed. In addition, baseline blood flow increased and SMR was attenuated after both doses of phentolamine, but to a greater degree after the 1 mg/kg dose. However, SMR was not completely attenuated, even after administration of the higher phentolamine dose. These results indicate that a phentolamine dose of 1 mg/kg over 10 min more completely blocks alpha-adrenoceptor function than a dose of 0.5 mg/kg over 20 min. We therefore recommend that to ensure adequate alpha-adrenoceptor blockade the higher phentolamine dose be used in the phentolamine diagnostic test for SMP.

Mechanism of interaction between neuropeptide Y and angiotensin II in the rabbit femoral artery

Neuropeptide Y has direct vasoconstrictor actions and potentiates the effects of other vasoconstrictor agents. To find out whether both effects of neuropeptide Y are mediated via the same receptor and intracellular mechanism, the interaction between neuropeptide Y and angiotensin II was studied in rabbit femoral arteries. In this preparation, neuropeptide Y, but not its 13-36 fragment, induced constriction. Only neuropeptide Y potentiated the vasoconstrictor response to angiotensin II and the associated rise in inositol-1-phosphate. These potentiating effects of neuropeptide Y were totally prevented by removal of extracellular Ca2+, partially prevented by a Ca(2+)-channel blocker and mimicked by a Ca(2+)-channel activator. Pharmacological modulation of adenylate cyclase had no effect. These results suggest that the direct and indirect vascular effects of neuropeptide Y are mediated via Y1 receptors and depend on the influx of extracellular Ca2+. The rise in inositol-1-phosphate seems to be secondary to an increase in intracellular Ca2+, while modulation of adenylate cyclase is apparently not involved.

New insights into the local regulation of blood flow by perivascular nerves and endothelium

Blood flow, particularly in the skin, is essential for the success of plastic surgical operations. This review describes recent studies of the perivascular nerves and vascular endothelial cells which regulate blood flow. Perivascular nerves, once considered simply adrenergic or cholinergic, release many types of neurotransmitters, including peptides, purines and nitric oxide. Cotransmission (synthesis, storage and release of more than one transmitter by a single nerve) commonly takes place. Some afferent nerves have an efferent (motor) function and axon reflex control of vascular tone by these "sensory-motor" nerves is more widespread than once thought. Endothelial cells mediate both vasodilatation and vasoconstriction. The endothelial cells can store and release vasoactive substances such as acetylcholine (vasodilator) and endothelin (vasoconstrictor). The origins and functions of such vasoactive substances are discussed. Endothelial vasoactive substances may be of greater significance in the response of blood vessels to local changes while perivascular nerves may be concerned with integration of blood flow in the whole organism. The dual regulation of vascular tone by perivascular nerves and endothelial cells is altered by aging and conditions such as hypertension, as well as by trauma and surgery. Studies of vascular tone in disease and after denervation or mechanical injury suggest possible trophic interactions between perivascular nerves and endothelial cells. Such trophic interactions may be important for growth and development of the two control systems, particularly in the microvasculature where neural-endothelial separation is small.

Evoked noradrenaline release in the rabbit ear artery: enhancement by purines, attenuation by neuropeptide Y and lack of effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide

1. Adenosine (30 microM) and its analogues 5'-N-ethylcarboxaminoadenosine (5 and 30 microM) and L-phenylisopropyladenosine (5 and 30 microM), potentiated the evoked but not spontaneous release of tritiated noradrenaline in the rabbit central ear artery. 2. Prejunctional inhibition of the evoked but not spontaneous release of tritiated noradrenaline by 100 nM neuropeptide Y is greater at 2 min than at 10 min after superfusion of the peptide. 3. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (2.63 to 263 nM) did not affect the evoked or spontaneous release of tritiated noradrenaline in this preparation. 4. These results are discussed in terms of prejunctional modulation of sympathetic transmission in the rabbit central ear artery.

Differential regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase protein and activity in rabbit sympathetic neurones after long-term cold exposure: altered responses in ageing

The aim of this study was to investigate the response of sympathetic neurones to prolonged neural stimulation, using cold exposure as a non-invasive experimental paradigm. We examined the effects of prolonged (8 days and 4 wk) cold exposure on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein and activity and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in sympathetic neurones of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), together with NPY levels in the ear artery from young and aged rabbits. The main findings were as follows. In young rabbits, TH levels and TH activity were differentially regulated in response to prolonged cold exposure. TH levels rose whilst TH activity tended to decline. Decentralization of SCG from young animals before cold exposure abolished the rise in TH levels. TH activity in SCG from young rabbits was reduced by decentralization whilst cold exposure resulted in an increase in TH activity. Thus, TH activity was induced in the SCG in the absence of pre-ganglionic input, demonstrating a non-synaptic regulatory mechanism. In old rabbits, cold-induced changes were either delayed or failed to occur, indicating that the responses of sympathetic neurones to cold stress are impaired in old age.

Electrophysiology of cerebral blood vessels

In spite of the relatively large amount of in vitro and in vivo data indicating that, in a number of ways, cerebral arteries are pharmacologically different from peripheral arteries, the mechanisms responsible for these differences are far from clear. An understanding of these mechanisms is particularly important for a rational approach to the treatment of disorders of the cerebral circulation including migraine, hypertension and the responses of cerebral vessels to subarachnoid haemorrhage. This review outlines electrophysiological data which are available from cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells, including the possibility that inwardly-rectifying potassium channels, active at potentials close to the resting membrane potential, are intimately involved in the changes in smooth muscle tone which couple blood flow to regional changes in nerve cell activity. The membrane potential changes in response to perivascular nerve stimulation, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor are also described, together with the underlying membrane mechanisms and their relationship to smooth muscle contraction and relaxation.

The effect of atherosclerosis on neuromodulation of sympathetic neurotransmission by neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the rabbit mesenteric artery

The neuromodulatory actions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) (0.1 microM) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (0.01 microM) on nerve-evoked contractions have been studied in the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit mesenteric artery from 4-, 6- and 12-month-old animals with New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits being used as age- and sex-matched controls. Nerve-evoked contractions in 12-month-old rabbits were smaller in WHHL in comparison to NZW rabbits, with no difference between the two strains of rabbit at 4 and 6 months of age. Both the potentiating effect of NPY and the inhibitory effect of CGRP on nerve-evoked contractions increased significantly at 12 months of age compared with responses measured in younger WHHL rabbits, and were greater than in 12-month-old control NZW rabbits. In contrast, the direct smooth muscle relaxant response of CGRP on raised-tone preparations was not different between the two strains of rabbit at any age. Both NPY-immunoreactive and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibres were less varicose in 6- and 12-month-old WHHL rabbits when compared with younger WHHL rabbits and NZW controls. In conclusion, this study shows that while nerve-evoked contractions are reduced, in the 12-month-old WHHL rabbit mesenteric artery, the neuromodulatory actions of NPY and CGRP are augmented.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide- and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in endothelial cells after long-term stimulation of perivascular nerves

Since both perivascular nerves and the endothelium are involved in the control of the tone of smooth muscle in the wall of blood vessels, we decided to test whether electrical stimulation of perivascular nerves might lead to structural and immunocytochemical changes in the vascular endothelium. Long-term electrical stimulation in vivo of perivascular nerves of the rabbit central ear artery was applied. The results indicate that chronic stimulation of perivascular nerves for 10 days induced structural changes and the appearance of calcitonin gene-related peptide- and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in a subpopulation of endothelial cells.

Differential vulnerability of neuropeptides in nerves of the vasa nervorum to streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Neuropeptides in perivascular nerves of vasa nervorum supplying blood to rat optic, sciatic, vagus and sympathetic chain nerve trunks are differentially vulnerable to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Immunohistochemical analysis of epineurial/perineurial nerve sheaths showed that 8 weeks after induction of diabetes, the density of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunoreactive nerve fibres in optic nerve sheaths was increased, while it was decreased in sciatic, vagus and sympathetic nerve sheaths. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactivity was increased in vasa and nervi nervorum of optic, sciatic, vagus and sympathetic chain nerve sheaths. Immunoassay of NPY confirmed increased levels in optic nerve sheaths and showed that substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide levels increased in sciatic but not optic nerve sheaths. Neuropeptide levels in the intrafascicular nerve fibres were unaffected. This provides further evidence for a disturbance in the autonomic control of blood flow to peripheral and cranial nerve trunks via vasa nervorum in STZ-induced diabetes, which may lead to ischaemic changes, alter local axon reflexes and contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.

X-irradiation attenuates relaxant responses in the rabbit ear artery

1. The relaxant actions of acetylcholine, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, and the levels of neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide were assessed in the rabbit central ear artery 1, 4 and 6 weeks after a single dose of 45 Gy X-irradiation, a dose similar to that used clinically in intraoperative radiotherapy. 2. Relaxant responses induced by acetylcholine and substance P (both endothelium-dependent) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (endothelium-independent) were reduced, and endogenous neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide levels were unaffected after X-irradiation. 3. The mechanism(s) by which a single dose of 45 Gy X-irradiation may selectively damage relaxant, but not direct, contractile responses of the smooth muscle (as we have shown previously) of the rabbit central ear artery are discussed.

Effects of neuropeptide Y on mean circulatory filling pressure in intact and ganglionic-blocked conscious rats

The dose-response effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the vehicle, 0.9% NaCl, on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), an index of body venous tone, were examined in conscious, intact and hexamethonium-treated rats. Saline infusions in intact and hexamethonium-treated rats did not significantly affect MAP, HR and MCFP. The i.v. infusion of NPY in intact rats dose dependently increased MAP, decreased HR, but did not alter MCFP. In the presence of hexamethonium, the pressor effect of NPY was enhanced, the lack of MCFP effect remained and the bradycardic effect was markedly attenuated. Our results suggest that NPY has moderate effects on MAP, but negligible effects on body venous tone.

Changes in sympathetic and endothelium-mediated responses in the rabbit central ear artery after acrylamide treatment

The effect of acrylamide intoxication on the innervation and local control of the rabbit central ear artery was investigated. There was no difference in the noradrenaline, neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide tissue content between control and experimental animals. There was, however, a slight reduction in catecholamine histofluorescence. Although the contractile efficiency of the rabbit central ear artery as measured by responses to potassium chloride was unchanged, nerve-mediated contractile responses were significantly attenuated in acrylamide-treated animals. Contractile responses induced by exogenous alpha,beta-methylene ATP were markedly increased after acrylamide treatment, in contrast to contractions induced by exogenous noradrenaline which were attenuated at maximal concentrations. Modulatory effects of nerve-mediated contractile responses by neuropeptide Y were unaffected by acrylamide intoxication. It therefore appears that acrylamide intoxication damages sympathetic cotransmission, perhaps with preferential action on the purinergic component. Endothelium-dependent relaxant responses to acetylcholine and substance P were attenuated in acrylamide-treated animals, whereas relaxant responses mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide (endothelium independent) were unaffected. The question of whether the damage to the endothelial cell action is a primary effect, or a secondary consequence of sympathetic nerve damage, is discussed.

Neuropeptide Y potentiates specifically the purinergic component of the neural responses in the guinea pig saphenous artery

Contraction of the guinea pig saphenous artery induced by stimulation of perivascular nerves consists of an adrenergic and a purinergic component. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) potentiated the neural responses significantly at low stimulation frequencies but not at high frequencies when the contraction was maximal. After blocking the adrenoceptors with phentolamine, significant potentiation of the purinergic component by NPY could be demonstrated. The potentiating effect of NPY was abolished in the presence of nifedipine. After desensitizing the purinoceptors with alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, there was no potentiation of the remaining adrenergic component by NPY. NPY also has no effect on contractions induced by exogenous norepinephrine but potentiates those induced by alpha,beta-methylene-ATP. These results suggest that NPY potentiates neurally induced contraction in the guinea pig saphenous artery by a specific action on the purinergic response.

Somatostatin modulates vascular sympathetic neurotransmission in the rabbit ear artery

Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity was localised immunohistochemically in perivascular nerves in the rabbit central ear artery. Whilst somatostatin had no direct action on this vessel, it significantly inhibited noradrenaline-induced, but not alpha, beta-methylene ATP-induced, vasoconstriction. Somatostatin also inhibited contractions elicited by electrical field stimulation showing greater effect at low (16 Hz) compared with high (64 Hz) frequencies, and inhibited the release of tritiated noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner. These results confirm that somatostatin is a neuroregulatory peptide, and suggest that it is modulating vascular sympathetic cotransmission of the rabbit central ear artery by acting both prejunctionally to inhibit transmitter release, and postjunctionally to reduce the action of noradrenaline.