title: Hemodynamic actions of systemically injected pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-27 in the rat.
abstract: The aims of this study were (1) to characterize the hemodynamic mechanisms underlying the hypotensive effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-27 (PACAP-27 0.1-2.0 nmol/kg, i.v.) in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, and (2) to determine the roles of the autonomic nervous system, adrenal catecholamines and endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) in the expression of PACAP-27-mediated effects on hemodynamic function. PACAP-27 produced dose-dependent decreases in mean arterial blood pressure and hindquarter and mesenteric vascular resistances in saline-treated rats. PACAP-27 also produced pronounced falls in mean arterial blood pressure in rats treated with the ganglion blocker, chlorisondamine (5 mg/kg, i.v.). The hypotensive and vasodilator actions of PACAP-27 were not attenuated by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.), or the NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME 50 micromol/kg, i.v.). PACAP-27 produced dose-dependent increases in heart rate whereas the hypotensive response produced by the nitrovasodilator, sodium nitroprusside (10 microg/kg, i.v.), was associated with a minimal tachycardia. The PACAP-27-induced tachycardia was unaffected by chlorisondamine, but was virtually abolished by propranolol. These results suggest that the vasodilator effects of PACAP-27 are due to actions in the microcirculation rather than to the release of adrenal catecholamines and that this vasodilation may not involve the release of endothelium-derived NO. These results also suggest that PACAP-27 produces tachycardia by directly releasing norepinephrine from cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals rather than by direct or baroreceptor reflex-mediated increases in sympathetic nerve activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1109, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Whalen
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology; D002714:Chlorisondamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*