Involvement of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide in heat stress-induced delayed preconditioning in rat hearts

1. Previous studies have shown that hyperthermia is capable of activating capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and stimulating the release of neurotransmitters from their peripheral terminals. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has recently been found to participate in delayed cardioprotection in rat isolated hearts. 2. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the delayed cardioprotection by heat stress in vivo involves the expression and release of CGRP. 3. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with whole-body hyperthermia (rectal 42 degrees C) for 15 min, 24 h before the experiments and then the left main coronary artery of rat hearts was subjected to a 45 min occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion. The degree of myocardial injury was evaluated by measurement of infarct size and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. The plasma levels of CGRP and expression of CGRP (alpha and beta isoforms) mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia at 4, 8, 16 or 24 h after heat stress treatment were measured. 4. Pretreatment with hyperthermia significantly reduced infarct size and CK release. Heat stress also significantly increased plasma concentrations of CGRP and the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not beta-CGRP mRNA. The effect of heat stress was completely abolished by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. 5. In summary, the results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection by heat stress involves the synthesis and release of CGRP and that the protection is mainly mediated by the alpha-CGRP isoform.     

Monophosphoryl lipid A-induced delayed preconditioning is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide

The delayed preconditioning of the heart by monophosphoryl lipid A is mediated by endogenous nitric oxide (NO), and the cardioprotection afforded by nitroglycerin is related to stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release. The objective of this study was to explore whether improvement of preservation with cardioplegia by monophosphoryl lipid A is mediated by CGRP. In addition, we examined the effect of monophosphoryl lipid A on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) content of myocardial tissues. The isolated rat heart was perfused in the Langendorff mode. Heart rate, coronary flow, left-ventricular pressure, and its first derivatives (+/-dp/dt(max)) were recorded, and plasma levels of NO and CGRP, the release of creatine kinase in coronary effluent and the content of TNF-alpha in myocardial tissues were measured. Hypothermic ischemia for 4 h caused a decline in cardiac function, and an increase in the release of creatine kinase and in the content of TNF-alpha. Pretreatment with monophosphoryl lipid A (500 microg/kg, i.p.) for 24 h improved the recovery of cardiac function and reduced the release of creatine kinase concomitantly with a decrease in the content of cardiac TNF-alpha. Monophosphoryl lipid A markedly increased plasma concentrations of CGRP and NO. After pretreatment with L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), the cardioprotection and the increased release of NO and CGRP induced by monophosphoryl lipid A were abolished. Capsaicin also abolished the cardioprotection and the increased release of CGRP induced by monophosphoryl lipid A, but did not affect the content of NO. The results suggest that monophosphoryl lipid A-induced preconditioning enhances preservation with cardioplegia and that the protective effects of monophosphoryl lipid A are related to stimulation of CGRP release.     

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in ischaemic preconditioning in diabetic rat hearts

1. It has been suggested that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in the protection provided by ischaemic preconditioning in rat hearts and that ischaemic preconditioning is absent in diabetic rat hearts. 2. In the present study, we tested the relationship between sensory nerve function and ischaemic preconditioning in diabetic rats. 3. In 4- and 8-week diabetic rats and age-matched non- diabetic controls, 30 min global ischaemia and 40 min reperfusion caused a significant decrease in cardiac function and a marked increase in creatine kinase (CK) release. Ischaemic preconditioning, by three cycles of 5 min ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion, improved the recovery of cardiac function and decreased CK release during reperfusion in 4-week diabetic rat hearts. However, the cardioprotection afforded by ischaemic preconditioning was lost in 8-week diabetic rat hearts. Pretreatment with CGRP for 5 min also significantly improved the recovery of cardiac function and decreased CK release in rats subjected to 4 or 8 weeks of diabetes. 4. The content of CGRP in the coronary effluent during ischaemic preconditioning was significantly increased in 4-week diabetic rat hearts (P < 0.05). However, only a slight increase in the release of CGRP was shown in 8-week diabetic rat hearts (P > 0.05). 5. In summary, the present results suggest that the protection afforded by ischaemic preconditioning is attenuated in diabetic rats and that the change may be related to the reduction in CGRP release in diabetic rat hearts.     

The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in ischemic preconditioning in isolated rat hearts

Brief coronary artery occlusion can protect the heart against damage during subsequent prolonged coronary artery occlusion; ischemic preconditioning. The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in ischemic preconditioning is investigated in isolated perfused rat hearts, by measuring CGRP release during ischemic preconditioning and mimicking this by exogenous CGRP infusion, either in the absence or presence of the CGRP antagonist BIBN4096BS. CGRP increased left ventricular pressure and coronary flow in a concentration dependent manner, which was effectively antagonized by BIBN4096BS. Rat hearts (n=36) were subjected to 45 min coronary artery occlusion and 180 min reperfusion, which was preceded by: (1) sham pretreatment, (2) BIBN4096BS infusion (1 microM), (3) preconditioning by 15 min coronary artery occlusion and10 min reperfusion, (4) as 3, but with BIBN4096BS, (5) 15 min CGRP infusion (5 nM) and 10 min washout, (6) as 5, but with BIBN4096BS. Cardiac protection was assessed by reactive hyperaemia, creatine kinase release, infarct size related to the area at risk (%), and left ventricular pressure recovery. Preconditioning increased CGRP release into the coronary effluent from 88+/-13 to 154+/-32 pg/min/g, and significantly protected the hearts by decreasing reactive hyperaemia (35%), reducing creatine kinase release (53%), limiting infarct size (48%), and improving left ventricular pressure recovery (36%). Exogenous CGRP induced preconditioning-like cardioprotection. BIBN completely abolished the cardioprotection induced by preconditioning as well as by exogenous CGRP. In conclusion, since cardioprotection of preconditioning-induced CGRP release can be mimicked by exogenous CGRP, and both can be blocked by a CGRP antagonist, results indicate an important role for CGRP in ischemic preconditioning.     

降钙素基因相关肽在前列腺素介导豚鼠心脏缺血预适应中的作用(英文)

目的:研究降钙素基因相关肽与前列腺素在豚鼠心脏缺血预适应中的相互作用。方法:采用Langen-dorff方法灌注豚鼠离体心脏。记录心率、冠脉流量、左室内压以及最大变化速率,并测定冠脉流出液中降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)与6-酮-PGF_(1α)的释放量。结果:内皮素-1(200 pmoL)引起心功能下降,表现为冠脉流量、心率、左室内压及其最大变化速率降低。缺血预适应可明显减轻内皮素-1引起的心脏损伤,同时预适应期间CGRP与6-酮-PGF_(1α)的释放量明显增加。应用辣椒素耗竭内源性CGRP后,缺血预适应的保护作用被取消。选择性CGRP_1受体拮抗剂CGRP_(8-37)100nmol/L也能取消缺血预适应的保护作用。环氧化酶抑制剂吲哚美辛(10μmol/L)可取消缺血预适应的保护作用,同时缺血预适应促进CGRP与6-酮-PGF_(1α)释放的作用也被取消。结论:前列腺素参与了缺血预适应对豚鼠心脏的保护作用,前列腺素的作用是由CGRP所介导。     

血红素氧合酶—1介导单磷酰酯A诱导的心脏延迟保护

目的:研究血红素氧合酶-Ⅰ(HO-Ⅰ)是否参与单磷酰酯A诱导的心脏延迟保护作用.方法:在体大鼠心脏缺血-再灌损伤模型,缺血前24小时应用单磷酰酯A(500μg/kg,ip)诱导心脏延迟保护,观察单磷酰酯A对心肌梗死面积、肌酸激酶(CK)活性以及血清一氧化氮(NO)浓度的影响,并检测心脏HO-ⅠmRNA和蛋白的表达.结果:单磷酰酯A明显缩小心梗面积,减少CK释放以及显著升高血清NO浓度(P<0.01).这些作用可被预先给予一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L-亚硝基精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME,10mg/kg,ip)和血红素氧合酶抑制剂锌原叶啉LX(ZnPP-9,45μmol/kg,ip)所取消(P<0.01);单磷酰酯A明显增加心脏HO-ⅠmRNA和蛋白的表达,这一作用不被L-NAME所影响(P>0.05).结论:HO-Ⅰ/NO途径介导单磷酰酯A诱导的延迟心脏保护.     

Endopeptidase-24.11 cleaves a chemotactic factor from alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide.

The sequence of rat alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP-alpha) contains the tetrapeptide eosinophil granulocyte chemotactic factor Val32-Gly-Ser-Glu35. Peptide fragments formed following hydrolysis of rat CGRP-alpha in vitro by endopeptidase-24.11 were identified. The tetrapeptide fragment was generated following cleavage at a substrate recognition site unusual for this enzyme (-Glu-Ala-). Chemotactic activity of rat CGRP-alpha was increased following hydrolysis. Furthermore, rat CGRP-beta, which lacks the tetrapeptide sequence and is completely devoid of chemotactic activity, displayed low but measurable activity after hydrolysis. Val-Gly-Ser-Glu was identified as the principle fragment with chemotactic activity in rat CGRP-alpha. The results show that the chemotactic activity of the neuropeptide rat CGRP-alpha towards eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes is increased following its hydrolysis in vitro by endopeptidase 24.11 through the formation of a previously identified eosinophil chemotactic tetrapeptide.     

降钙素基因相关肽介导缺血预适应对溶血性磷脂酰胆碱损伤心肌的保护作用

研究心脏缺血预适应(PC)对溶血性磷脂酰胆碱(LPC)损伤心肌作用的影响，并探讨降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)在PC中的作用. 离体大鼠心脏Langendorff法灌流，记录心率，冠脉流量，左室压和左室压最大上升速率(+dp/dt_max)，并测定灌流液中肌酸磷酸激酶(CPK)含量. 结果显示，LPC能降低各项心功能指标，并使CPK释放增加；PC(缺血5 min， 再灌5min，重复3次)能减轻LPC的损伤作用；PC的心肌保护作用可被选择性CGRP受体拮抗剂CGRP_8-37所取消；预先给予CGRP或辣椒素能产生与PC相同的心肌保护作用. 对照组, LPC, PC+LPC, CGRP_8-37, CGRP_8-37+PC+LPC, CGRP+LPC, CGRP_8-37+CGRP+LPC, 辣椒素+LPC组CPK释放量分别为0.26±0.05, 2.30±0.22, 0.25±0.03, 0.30±0.08, 2.60±0.15, 0.24±0.05, 2.70±0.20和0.25±0.07 μmol·min^-1·g^-1湿组织. 这些结果提示：1) PC对LPC所致心肌损伤具有保护作用；2) PC的保护作用是由CGRP所介导；3) CGRP或辣椒素可模拟PC的保护作用.     

Delayed cardioprotection induced by nitroglycerin is mediated by alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide

Previous investigations have demonstrated that early preconditioning induced by nitroglycerin is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In the present study, we addressed the question of whether delayed preconditioning induced by nitroglycerin in the rat is related to stimulation of the release and synthesis of CGRP. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with nitroglycerin 24 h before the experiment. The left main coronary artery was occluded for 60 min, followed by 3 h reperfusion. Infarct size, serum creatine kinase activity, serum levels of NO and CGRP and the expression of alpha- and beta-CGRP isoform mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia were measured. Pretreatment with nitroglycerin (60 or 120 microg/kg i.v.) reduced both the infarct size and the release of creatine kinase during reperfusion and caused a significant increase in the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not beta-CGRP mRNA, concomitantly with an increase in concentrations of NO and CGRP. The increase in CGRP expression preceded the increase in CGRP release. The effects of nitroglycerin were abolished completely by pretreatment with methylene blue (30 mg/kg i.p.), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, or capsaicin (50 mg/kg s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. The present results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection induced by nitroglycerin is mediated mainly by the alpha-CGRP isoform via the NO-cGMP pathway.     

降钙素基因相关肽在一氧化氮介导热应激诱导心肌延迟预适应中的作用

目的：研究一氧化氮－降钙素基因相关肽途径是否参与热应激诱导的心肌延迟预适应。方法：采用Langendorff装置灌注离体心脏。心脏低温（4℃）保存4h后,再灌注40min(37℃）。实验前24h大鼠进行高温处理（直肠温度42℃,15min)。记录心率,冠脉流量、左室内压以及最大变化速率,并测定血浆降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）浓度和冠脉流出液中肌酸激酶（CK）释放量。结果：热应激能显著增强心肌停搏液的保护作用,减少CK释放量,并升高血浆CGRP浓度。这些作用能被预先给予亚硝基精氨酸甲酯及辣椒素所取消。结论：一氧化氮参与了对大鼠心脏的延迟保护,其作用是由内源性CGRP所介导。     

Mediation of calcitonin gene-related peptide in protection of ischemic preconditioning in rat hindlimbs.

AIM: To study modulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning on endothelial cells. METHODS: Rat hindlmbs were subjected to ischemia for 2 h, and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) was examined in rat hindlimbs. RESULTS: Two hours of ischemia elicited no effect on vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine, but markedly impaired vasodilator responses to ACh. Ischemic preconditioning induced by 5-min aortic occlusion and 10-min blood reperfusion prevented the impairment of vasorelaxation to ACh due to long-term ischemia. The protection of ischemic preconditioning was abolished by repeated pretreatments with capsaicin to deplete CGRP. Acute application of capsaicin to evoke CGRP release or CGRP caused an ischemic preconditioning-like protection. CONCLUSION: Capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves are involved in the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning on endothelial cells in the rat hindlimbs, and CGRP can mimic the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning in blood vessels.     

Protective effects of nitroglycerin-induced preconditioning mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide in rat small intestine

Previous studies of myocardium have shown that ischemic preconditioning could be mimicked by nitroglycerin through stimulating the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The present study examined whether nitroglycerin could also provide a preconditioning stimulus in the peripheral vascular bed (the anse intestinalis of rat), and whether endogenous CGRP is involved in this process. The model of in situ perfusion was prepared with rat small intestine. One hour of ischemia and 15 min of reperfusion caused a significant impairment of intestinal morphology and an increase in the release of both lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde. Pretreatment with nitroglycerin, 10⁻⁷, 3×10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁶ M for 5 min produced a significant improvement of intestinal tissue morphology and a decrease in the release of both lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde. However, the protection afforded by nitroglycerin was abolished by CGRP-(8-37), a selective CGRP acceptor antagonist. Pretreatment with capsaicin, which specifically depletes the transmitter content of sensory nerves, also abolished the protection by nitroglycerin. In addition, the content of CGRP-like immunoreactivity in the effluent was increased during nitroglycerin perfusion. On the other hand, the results from the in vivo experiment showed that nitroglycerin (i.v. 0.13 mg/kg) injected 5 min before prolonged ischemia could provide significant protection against the injury caused by 30-min ischemia and 1-h reperfusion in the rat small intestine, but would also cause a significant increase in the levels of CGRP in the plasma. All these findings suggest that nitroglycerin-induced preconditioning is related to stimulation of CGRP release in the rat small intestine.     

降钙素基因相关肽介导的离体大鼠心脏缺血预处置

降钙素基因相关肽介导的离体大鼠心脏缺血预处置１肖洲生，李元建２，邓汉武（湖南医科大学药理教研室，长沙４１００７８，中国）关键词降钙素基因相关肽；心肌再灌注损伤；心功能试验；肌酸激酶目的：研究降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）在离体大鼠心脏缺血预处置（ＰＣ）...     

Inhibition of cardiac tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by calcitonin gene-related peptide-mediated ischemic preconditioning in isolated rat hearts

Previous investigations have demonstrated that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in the mediation of ischemic preconditioning in rats. In the present study, we examined signal transduction pathways of CGRP-mediated ischemic preconditioning. Thirty minutes of global ischemia and 40 min of reperfusion caused a dramatic decrease in myocardial function, and a significant increase in the release of cardiac creatine kinase in the coronary effluent and in the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in myocardial tissues. However, ischemic preconditioning (three cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion) or pretreatment with CGRP for 5 min dramatically improved the recovery of cardiac function, and reduced the release of cardiac creatine kinase and the TNF-alpha content. The effect of ischemic preconditioning was abolished by CGRP-(8-37), the selective CGRP receptor antagonist, and by capsaicin, which depletes sensory nerve neurotransmitter content, but was unaltered by treatment with glibenclamide, a blocker of the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel. The protective effects of exogenous CGRP-induced preconditioning were also not blocked by glibenclamide. These results suggest that the cardioprotective effects afforded by CGRP-mediated ischemic preconditioning are related to inhibition of cardiac TNF-alpha production, but not to activation of the K(ATP) channel.     

降钙素基因相关肽介导缓激肽预处理对离体大鼠心脏的保护作用

目的：研究降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）在缓激肽预处理保护离体大鼠心脏中的调节作用。方法：Ｌａｎｇｅｎｄｏｒｆｆ法灌流心脏观测心功能与肌酸激酶（ＣＫ）释放。结果：缓激肽显著改善再灌时心功能（ＣＫ）释放。缓激肽作用可被缓激肽受体拮抗剂Ｈｏｅ１４０（１μｍｏｌ．Ｌ＾－１）或ＣＧＲＰ受体拮抗剂ＣＧＲＰ８－３７（０．１μｍｏｌ．Ｌ＾－１）所取消预先用辣椒素处理也能取水缓蚀激肽的作用。结论：缓激肽诱导预处理的     

Triggering role of nitric oxide in the delayed protective effect of monophosphoryl lipid A in rat heart.

1. The main objective of the present study was to further evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in delayed cardiac protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury induced by monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA). 2. For this purpose, rats were administered with either 0.5 or 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA (i.p.). Eight or 24 h later, in vivo NO production in the heart was analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. In parallel experiments, hearts were removed and perfused according to Langendorff. Functional ventricular parameters and incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) were determined after 30 min global ischaemic insult (37 degrees C) followed by 30 min reperfusion. Vascular reactivity of aortic rings was also assessed. 3. Hearts from rats pretreated with 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 24 h (but not those from rats treated with 0.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 8 and 24 h, or with 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 8 h) exhibited preservation of ventricular function (LVDP, +/-dP/dtmax) and a reduced incidence of VF (25% vs 87.5% in vehicle control) during reperfusion. At the cardioprotective dose of 2.5 mg kg(-1) (for 8 or 24 h), MLA did not produce alterations of the contractile response of aortic rings to noradrenaline. 4. An increased formation of NO was detected in hearts removed from rats pretreated with 2.5 mg kg(-1) MLA for 8 h, but not in those from rats treated for 24 h (or with 0.5 mg kg(-1) MLA). 5. Pretreatment of the animals with the inhibitors of inducible NO-synthase, aminoguanidine (2x300 mg kg(-1)) or L-N6-(1-Iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL, 10 mg kg(-1)) abolished both MLA (2. 5 mg kg(-1))-induced rise of NO production (observed 8 h after MLA) and cardioprotection (observed 24 h after MLA). However MLA-induced cardioprotection was not attenuated when the hearts were perfused with aminoguanidine (150 microM) for 30 min before the ischaemic insult. 6. Altogether, the present data suggest that NO acts as a trigger rather then a direct mediator of the delayed cardioprotective effect of MLA in rat heart.     

降钙素基因相关肽:一种调节预适应的内源性中介物(英文)

心脏遭受短暂缺血或高温处理后均产生早期和延迟保护效应.缺血预适应的心脏保护作用与内源性活性物质有关.辣椒素敏感的感觉神经的主要递质降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)介导缺血预适应的早期和延迟保护作用.CGRP介导的预适应能保护内皮细胞.热应激的早期和延迟保护也与内源性CGRP释放有关.某些药物如硝酸甘油诱导的预适应可能与其促CGRP释放有关.这些结果表明CGRP可能是一种内源性心肌保护物质,并在预适应的保护效应中起重要作用.     

Synergistic internal carotid vasodilator effects of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide and nimodipine in conscious rats.

1. In a first series of experiments, male Long Evans rats were chronically instrumented for the measurement of internal carotid blood flow and systemic arterial blood pressure; cardiovascular changes were assessed during and after 30 min infusions of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (0.06 and 0.6 nmol h-1), or nimodipine (60 and 600 nmol h-1) or human alpha-CGRP plus nimodipine. The effects of human alpha-CGRP or nimodipine on internal carotid vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 were also measured. 2. Human alpha-CGRP (0.06 nmol h-1) caused a small (+15%), transient increase in internal carotid blood flow and a tachycardia (+33 beats min-1), but no change in mean blood pressure. Nimodipine (60 nmol h-1) caused a brief internal carotid hyperaemia (+16%) but no changes in blood pressure or heart rate. However, concurrent administration of human alpha-CGRP (0.06 nmol h-1) and nimodipine (60 nmol h-1) caused a sustained increase in internal carotid blood flow (+40%) unaccompanied by significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure. 3. Human alpha-CGRP at a dose of 0.6 nmol h-1 or nimodipine at a dose of 600 nmol h-1 caused substantial reductions in internal carotid vascular resistance (-43 and -40%, respectively); concurrent administration of these doses did not have an additive vasodilator effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the development of tolerance to nitroglycerin in the rat

Previous studies have shown that the depressor effect of nitroglycerin is related to stimulation of endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release. In the present study, we explored whether endogenous CGRP is involved in the development of tolerance to nitroglycerin in the rat. Tolerance was induced by treatment with nitroglycerin (10 mg/kg, subcutaneous [s.c.]) three times a day for 8 days and confirmed by a reduction in hypotensive responses to intravenous (i.v.) nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin (30 or 150 microg/kg, i.v.) significantly decreased blood pressure concomitantly with an increase in plasma concentration of nitric oxide (NO) and CGRP, and these effects of nitroglycerin disappeared after pretreatment with nitroglycerin for 8 days. However, the nitroglycerin-induced depressor effect and elevation of NO and CGRP content were restored, partially or completely, 4 or 8 days after nitroglycerin removal in the tolerant rat. The present study suggests that the development of tolerance to nitroglycerin is related to the decreased release of CGRP in the rat.     

Human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator in human mesenteric vasculature.

1. The effect of human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and sodium nitroprusside have been measured on human isolated mesenteric vasculature and on rings of human superior mesenteric artery and saphenous vein. 2. When noradrenaline (10(-5) M) was used as the vasoconstrictor in preparations perfused with Krebs solution at constant flow, human alpha-CGRP was 10 times more potent than sodium nitroprusside in evoking dose-dependent falls in perfusion pressure. 3. Human alpha-CGRP and sodium nitroprusside were about equipotent at relaxing rings of superior mesenteric artery contracted by noradrenaline (10(-6) M). When the tone of saphenous vein rings was raised by noradrenaline (10(-6) M), human alpha-CGRP did not relax the vascular smooth muscle. 4. The results show that human alpha-CGRP is a potent vasodilator in human arterial preparations and may act preferentially on arterioles rather than large arteries.