NPY stimulates nett absorption across rat intestinal mucosa in vivo

NPY is a peptide recently isolated from porcine brain which has been seen to be widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system. The peptide is known to be present in substantial quantities in the extrinsic and intrinsic innervation of the gut but few studies have yet been done on the functional activity of the peptide in this site. In this study, intravenous infusion of porcine NPY was seen to cause nett absorption in the proximal duodenum. In addition, NPY was found to inhibit the nett secretory effect of simultaneously infused VIP in the proximal duodenum and jejunum. This evidence of functional activity of NPY in the gut further supports a role for this peptide in controlling or modulating intestinal function.