title: Peptidergic control of gastrointestinal blood flow in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus.
abstract: Peptidergic mechanisms influencing the resistance of the gastrointestinal vascular bed of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, were investigated. The gut was perfused in situ via the mesenteric and the celiac arteries, and the effects of different neuropeptides were tested using bolus injections. Effects on vascular resistance were recorded as changes in inflow pressures. Peptides found in sensory neurons [substance P, neurokinin A, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)] all caused significant relaxation of the celiac vascular bed, as did vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), another well-known vasodilator. Except for VIP, the peptides also induced transitory gut contractions. Somatostatin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which coexist in adrenergic neurons of the C. porosus, induced vasoconstriction in the celiac vascular bed without affecting the gut motility. Galanin caused vasoconstriction and occasionally activated the gut wall. To elucidate direct effects on individual vessels, the different peptides were tested on isolated ring preparations of the mesenteric and celiac arteries. Only CGRP and VIP relaxed the epinephrine-precontracted celiac artery, whereas the effects on the mesenteric artery were variable. Somatostatin and NPY did not affect the resting tonus of these vessels, but somatostatin potentiated the epinephrine-induced contraction of the celiac artery. Immunohistochemistry revealed the existence and localization of the above-mentioned peptides in nerve fibers innervating vessels of different sizes in the gut region. These data support the hypothesis of an important role for neuropeptides in the control of the vascular bed of the gastrointestinal tract in C. porosus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoophysiology, Goteborg University, S-413 90 Goteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kagstrom
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Axelsson
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Franklin
mesh_terms: D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D004064:Digestive System / Q000098:blood supply*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019004:Galanin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000494:pharmacology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin; D015288:Neurokinin A; D019004:Galanin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D004837:Epinephrine