Neuropeptides Contained in Peripheral Cardiovascular Nerves

J. B. Furness Centre for Neuroscience and Departments of Human Morphology and Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; (REP) Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky, USA

M. Costa Centre for Neuroscience and Departments of Human Morphology and Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; (REP) Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky, USA

R. E. Papka Centre for Neuroscience and Departments of Human Morphology and Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; (REP) Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky, USA

N. G. Delia Centre for Neuroscience and Departments of Human Morphology and Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; (REP) Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky, USA

R. Murphy Centre for Neuroscience and Departments of Human Morphology and Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; (REP) Department of Anatomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky, USA

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.

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Neuropeptides Contained in Peripheral Cardiovascular Nerves

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Neuropeptides Contained in Peripheral Cardiovascular Nerves

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