NEUROCHEMICAL EVIDENCE OF CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY (CGRP-LI) RELEASE FROM CAPSAICIN-SENSITIVE NERVES IN RAT MESENTERIC-ARTERIES AND VEINS

1. The ability of capsaicin and antidromic stimulation of perivascular nerve fibers to release sensory neuropeptides (SP-LI and CGRP-LI) have been investigated in rat mesenteric arteries and veins. 2. Both in mesenteric arteries and veins substantial SP-LI and CGRP-LI tissue levels were measured. A significant reduction in sensory neuropeptides levels was observed in tissues obtained from capsaicin-pretreated animals. 3. Superfusion of isolated vessels with capsaicin (1 mu-M) produced a prompt and remarkable release of both SP-LI and CGRP-LI, which can be evoked only once in each preparation. 4. Electrical field stimulation (EFS, 20 Hz, 50 V, 0.5 msec, trains of 10 sec every 20 sec for 15 min) of isolated vessels resulted in a significant release of CGRP-LI. This release was significantly greater in veins as compared to arteries. EFS-induced CGRP-LI release was unaffeccted by atropine or guanethidine and absent in preparations obtained from capsaicin-pretreated rats. 5. These neurochemical findings further suggest that the local of sensory neuropeptides from capsaicin-sensitive nerve endings might be important in the regulation of mesenteric circulation.