title: Neuropeptides contained in peripheral cardiovascular nerves.
abstract: The neuropeptides, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y and enkephalin have been found in nerves associated with the heart and blood vessels of a range of mammals, including man. There is also evidence for some cardiovascular nerves with gastrin releasing peptide and neurotensin immunoreactivity. Substance P is in sensory nerves with a widespread distribution to the heart and all vascular beds. In general, large arteries have the densest innervation and the density of nerves decreases as arterial size decreases. In adult guinea-pigs, an adequate treatment with capsaicin causes the degeneration of almost all cardiovascular substance P nerves. Using capsaicin as a tool it has been shown that the substance P containing sensory nerves are not essential for baroreceptor reflexes. VIP nerves also have a widespread distribution, being particularly prominent in the cerebral arteries, uterine arteries and arteries of erectile and secretory tissues. Neuropeptide Y is located in the same cardiovascular nerves as noradrenaline. It is depleted from the nerves by reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine. Enkephalin nerves have been reported with small arteries in only a few vascular beds.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000294:innervation*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000032:analysis; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000032:analysis*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004745:Enkephalins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010455:Peptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D002211:Capsaicin