Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the developing rat heart atria

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2026

Ex Vivo Release of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide from the Trigeminovascular System in Rodents
08:39

Ex Vivo Release of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide from the Trigeminovascular System in Rodents

Published on: May 16, 2022

J Kuncová1, J Slavíková

  • 1Department of Physiology, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Plzen, Czech Republic.

Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|October 7, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels in rat atria show asymmetric development. These peptide concentrations vary significantly during postnatal growth, suggesting important roles in atrial development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuroendocrinology

Background:

  • Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are neuropeptides with known roles in cardiovascular regulation.
  • Understanding their developmental trajectory in the heart is crucial for comprehending cardiac maturation and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental changes in VIP-like immunoreactivity (VIP-LI) and CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) concentrations in the developing rat right and left atria.
  • To identify any sex-specific differences or regional asymmetries in peptide levels during postnatal development.

Main Methods:

  • Radioimmunoassay was employed to quantify VIP-LI and CGRP-LI concentrations.
  • Samples were collected from rat right and left atria on postnatal days 1, 10, 25, 45, 60, and 85.
  • Data were analyzed to assess developmental trends and regional differences.

Main Results:

  • VIP-LI was detected at postnatal day 1 in both atria, with levels peaking around postnatal day 25 in the right atrium.
  • Significant regional differences in VIP-LI emerged at later stages (P60, P85), with higher concentrations in the left atrium.
  • CGRP-LI concentrations showed similar developmental patterns in both atria, decreasing after birth, increasing by P60, and then declining again.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals an asymmetry in the postnatal development of atrial VIP-LI and CGRP-LI concentrations between the right and left atria.
  • The distinct temporal profiles of VIP and CGRP suggest unique roles and trophic functions during cardiac development.
  • These findings contribute to understanding the neurochemical regulation of atrial development and maturation.

More Related Videos

Primary Culture of Adult Rat Heart Myocytes11:44

Primary Culture of Adult Rat Heart Myocytes

Published on: June 16, 2009

Isolation and Characterization of Primary Rat Valve Interstitial Cells: A New Model to Study Aortic Valve Calcification08:55

Isolation and Characterization of Primary Rat Valve Interstitial Cells: A New Model to Study Aortic Valve Calcification

Published on: November 20, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory organs,...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...