title: Human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator in human mesenteric vasculature.
abstract: 1. The effect of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and sodium nitroprusside have been measured on human isolated mesenteric vasculature and on rings of human superior mesenteric artery and saphenous vein. 2. When noradrenaline (10(-5) M) was used as the vasoconstrictor in preparations perfused with Krebs solution at constant flow, human alpha-CGRP was 10 times more potent than sodium nitroprusside in evoking dose-dependent falls in perfusion pressure. 3. Human alpha-CGRP and sodium nitroprusside were about equipotent at relaxing rings of superior mesenteric artery contracted by noradrenaline (10(-6) M). When the tone of saphenous vein rings was raised by noradrenaline (10(-6) M), human alpha-CGRP did not relax the vascular smooth muscle. 4. The results show that human alpha-CGRP is a potent vasodilator in human arterial preparations and may act preferentially on arterioles rather than large arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, University College, London.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Al-Kazwini
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Holman
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000187:drug effects; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D009638:Norepinephrine