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Vasoactive intestinal peptide: vasodilatation and cyclic AMP generation.
The American Journal of Physiology
|May 11, 1986
Summary
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a potent vasodilator in rat mesenteric arteries, acting at low concentrations. It activates adenylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle cells, potentially regulating blood vessel tone.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Neuropharmacology
- Smooth Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is recognized for its vasodilatory effects.
- Its precise role and mechanism in peripheral arterial beds require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vasodilator actions of VIP in the rat mesenteric arterial bed.
- To determine VIP's effect on vascular smooth muscle cell adenylate cyclase activity.
- To examine VIP innervation in the rat mesenteric artery.
Main Methods:
- Experiments on isolated perfused rat mesenteric artery beds.
- Studies on cultured smooth muscle cells from rat mesenteric artery and aorta.
- Adenylate cyclase activity assays and immunocytochemistry.
Main Results:
- VIP induced significant relaxation in perfused mesenteric artery beds at sub-nanomolar concentrations.
- VIP potently stimulated adenylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle cells, with lower thresholds than prostaglandin E1 and isoproterenol.
- Immunocytochemistry revealed dense VIP-like immunoreactivity in nerve fibers innervating mesenteric vessels.
Conclusions:
- VIP is a potent vasodilator present in the rat mesenteric artery.
- VIP activates vascular smooth muscle adenylate cyclase, suggesting a role in regulating vascular tone.