title: CGRP-mediated cardiovascular effect of nitroglycerin.
abstract: Organic nitrates, including nitroglycerin, produce vascular relaxation by releasing nitric oxide in vascular tissues near the plasma member of smooth muscle cells of veins and arteries. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a major transmitter in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, is widely distributed in cardiovascular tissues and the release of CGRP is regulated by multiple autacoids including nitric oxide (NO). CGRP exerts complex cardiovascular effects including potent vasorelaxation and protective effects on myocytes and endothelial cells. Nitroglycerin activates sensory nerves fibres to release CGRP by generating NO and increasing cGMP level, and that the cardiovascular effects of nitroglycerin are partly mediated by endogenous CGRP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China. liyj@public.cs.hn.cn
authors.forename: Yuan Jian
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yan Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Du
mesh_terms: D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000502:physiology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005996:Nitroglycerin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide