慢性激活MrgC 受体上调CGRP表达的nNOS机制*

摘要目的：检查持续应用BAM8-22 对体外组织培养感觉神经节合成钙调素基因相关肽(CGRP)的影响。方法：将体外培养的大鼠 三叉神经节和背根神经节经BAM8-22 和L-NAME 处理后,用酶联免疫法测定CGRP 的表达含量变化。结果：与对照组相比,连 续4 天给予SNSR 的选择性激动剂BAM8-22,CGRP 的合成会增加。联合给予BAM8-22 和NOS 的非选择性抑制剂L-NAME, CGRP的表达随不同剂量的L-NAME 引起不同程度的上调。结论：持续激活SNSR 能使感觉神经节合成CGRP增多,是在体动物 慢性激活SNSR 后吗啡镇痛作用降低的细胞学机制。     

糖尿病对大鼠骨折愈合影响的实验研究

目的:观察糖尿病大鼠的骨折愈合过程,探讨糖尿病影响大鼠骨折愈合的可能的机制,为临床实践提供理论依据。方法:雄性Wister大鼠140只,随机分成二组,每组70只,A组为糖尿病骨折组;B组为非糖尿病骨折组。建立糖尿病动物模型后,无菌条件下在各组大鼠胫骨中点用手术方法制成骨折模型。术后1周、2周、4周、6周、8周各时间点进行X线检查,观察骨折愈合情况。术后1周、2周、3周、4周、6周、8周分别用ELISA法检测血清中IGF-1含量。分别在1、2、4、6、8周各时间点观察5只大鼠骨痂生长情况并取骨折断端组织行HE染色光镜观察。术后4周、6周、8周每组处死10只大鼠留取双侧胫骨标本,冷冻保存后集中进行生物力学检测。结果:1、大体标本观察结果:各时间点A组骨痂生长减缓延迟。2、X线结果:A组骨折愈合质量在各时间点均明显低于B组。3、生物力学测定结果:4周、6周、8周个时间点A组骨折处骨痂的机械强度均明显低于B组。4、组织学染色显示:术后各时间点1、2、4、6、8周A组与B组相比骨折处局部骨痂成熟延迟并且软骨细胞肥大。5、血清IGF-1含量测定:A组大鼠血清中IGF-1含量低于B组,且高峰延迟1周。结论:1.患有糖尿病后大鼠骨折愈合质量差,比较容易出现愈合延迟甚至不愈合;2.患有糖尿病的大鼠骨折后血清中的IGF-1表达明显低于对照组,且高峰推迟1周。     

慢性激活MrgC受体上调CGRP表达的nNOS机制

目的：检查持续应用BAMS-22对体外组织培养感觉神经节合成钙调素基因相关肽（cGRP）的影响。方法：将体外培养的大鼠三叉神经节和背根神经节经BAM8—22和L-NAME处理后,用酶联免疫法测定CGRP的表达含量变化。结果：与对照组相比,连续4天给予SNSR的选择性激动剂BAM8-22,CGRP的合成会增加。联合给予BAM8—22和NOS的非选择性抑制剂L-NAME,CGRP的表达随不同剂量的L-NAME引起不同程度的上调。结论：持续激活SNSR能使感觉神经节合成CGRP增多,是在体动物慢性激活SNSR后吗啡镇痛作用降低的细胞学机制。     

骨折愈合相关神经肽的研究进展

神经肽(neuropeptide,NP)是在骨折创伤时由感觉神经释放,参与组织细胞增殖、分化的调控[1]。目前发现骨组织中含有的神经肽有降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-relat-ed peptide,CGRP)、P物质(substance P,SP)、血管活性肠肽(vasoactive intestinal polypeptide,VIP)、神经肽Y(neuropep-tide Y,NPY)和腺苷酸环化酶激活肽(adenylate cyclase acti-vating polypeptide,ACAP)、蛋白基因产物(protein geneproduct 9.5,PGP 9·5)和酪氨酸羟化酶(tyrosine hydroxy-lase,TH)等。其中CGRP、SP、VIP等在骨折愈合中的作用目前已越来越…     

垂体柄阻滞麻醉对急性失血时大鼠血浆ACTH分泌的影响

目的 :探讨肽能神经纤维进入垂体前叶的途径及神经纤维的功能。方法① :经咽旁入路切断大鼠垂体柄 ,术后 8d观察垂体前叶内CGRP免疫反应阳性纤维密度的变化。结果 :切断垂体柄术后一周垂体前叶内约 80 %的CGRP免疫反应阳性纤维消失 ,提示至少绝大部分的CGRP免疫反应纤维经过垂体柄进入垂体前叶 ,残留纤维是溃变不完全抑或是另有来源尚不清楚。方法② :暴露大鼠垂体柄。切除或保留肾上腺 ,保温静置 60min后局麻垂体柄 ,股动脉放血刺激ACTH分泌。结果 :①切除肾上腺并局麻垂体柄大鼠 ,急性失血后 5min内ACTH水平低于对照组 ,在 3min时间点差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。保留肾上腺组大鼠局麻垂体柄后对失血的应激反应亦呈同样趋势。结论 :上述结果提示垂体柄内可能存在兴奋性纤维促进急性失血后ACTH的快速分泌反应 ,但该作用可能被迅速增强的CRH作用逐渐掩盖 ;②急性失血后各组大鼠垂体前叶POMCmRNA变化不明显。     

骨肽注射液对四肢骨折患者骨代谢、红细胞相关指标及炎性因子水平的影响

目的:研究骨肽注射液对四肢骨折患者骨代谢、红细胞相关指标及炎性因子水平的影响。方法:选取2015年4月-2017年4月我院收治的四肢骨折患者84例,将其以随机数字表法分成研究组(n=42)与对照组(n=42)。对照组予以常规治疗,研究组则在常规治疗的基础上予以骨肽注射液治疗。分别比较两组骨折愈合时间、治疗前后骨代谢、红细胞相关指标以及炎性因子水平变化情况。结果:研究组上肢骨折、下肢骨折愈合时间分别少于对照组(P0.05)。治疗4周后研究组骨碱性磷酸酶(BALP)、Ⅰ型前胶原羟基端前肽(PICP)、骨钙素(BGP)水平均高于对照组和治疗前,而Ⅰ型胶原羟基端肽β特殊序列(β-CTX)水平低于对照组和治疗前(P0.05)。治疗4周后研究组红细胞积聚指数(EAI)、红细胞电泳指数(EEI)水平均低于对照组和治疗前,而红细胞免疫促进因子(RFER)、直向肿瘤红细胞花环率(DTER)水平较对照组和治疗前均升高(P0.05)。治疗4周后两组患者C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平均低于治疗前,且研究组CRP、TNF-α水平较对照组降低(P0.05)。结论:骨肽注射液应用于四肢骨折患者中可促进骨折愈合,改善骨代谢、红细胞相关指标以及炎性因子水平,值得临床推广应用。     

降钙素相关肽诱导SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化的机制

目的:研究外源性降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-relate peptide,CGRP)对SD大鼠骨髓来源间充质干细胞(BMSCs)增殖和成骨分化功能的影响。方法:采用贴壁法分离骨髓间充质干细胞,扩增传代至第三代,根据分组,培养体系中添加含不同浓度(10-11～10-6mol/L)CGRP的条件培养液,WST-1法检测细胞增殖能力;碱性磷酸酶染色及钙结节染色法观察CGRP诱导BMSCs向成骨细胞分化、矿化的效果。采用RT-PCR方法检测碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、I型胶原(COLL-I)、BMP-2、RunX2、骨粘连蛋白(Osteonectin,ON)等成骨相关细胞因子mRNA的表达。结果:增殖率测定CGRP组各浓度均较对照组增加,且呈剂量依赖关系,CGRP浓度大于1×10-10mol/L时差异有显著性(P<0.05);碱磷酶染色与钙结节染色结果显示,CGRP组均有阳性显色,对照组无显色或显色不明显。CGRP组的细胞因子表达较对照组显著升高(P<0.05)。结论:适当浓度的CGRP能够直接促进体外培养的BMSCs增殖,并可短期内诱导其在向成骨细胞分化。CGRP可能在骨修复及骨重建中发挥重要的作用...     

续断对兔骨折愈合过程中相关基因表达和血钙、磷含量的影响

本研究通过检测中药材续断对家兔骨折模型愈合过程中与成骨密切相关基因的表达,以及血清中钙、磷含量变化,探讨其对骨折愈合的促进机制。构建家兔骨折缺损模型,术后按组分别给予续断和蒸馏水灌胃,并分别检测骨保护素(OPG)、骨保护素配体(OPGL)、局部转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)和骨形态发生蛋白-2(BMP-2)的基因表达以及血清中Ca、P、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)含量。结果表明,续断治疗组中血钙、血磷和ALP的含量在灌胃第2周,第3周和第4周后均有明显升高,且在第三周时达到最大值。同时,OPG、TGF-β1、BMP-2三个基因在用续断治疗的不同时期呈现不同程度的表达上调,OPGL则在治疗早期表达下调。推测续断对骨折的治疗可能是通过调控OPG、OPGL、TGF-β1、BMP-2等基因在骨愈合不同阶段的表达量和血清中Ca、P、ALP的含量来促进骨骼生长。     

降钙素基因相关肽对LPS诱导肺泡巨噬细胞分泌MMP-9的影响

目的：探讨降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）对经脂多糖（LPS）诱导大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞分泌基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）的影响及其机制。方法：对经LPS诱导的大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞给予不同浓度的CGRP干预,并同时设置对照,分别收集上清液,采用明胶酶谱法测定LPS、CGRP或二者联合干预后大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞分泌MMP-9的变化。结果：①正常肺泡巨噬细胞仅分泌少量MMP-9,各浓度CGRP对其分泌无影响,但经LPS诱导后MMP-9的分泌均明显升高（P〈0．01）;②不同浓度的CGRP干预呈剂量依赖方式降低LPS诱导的肺泡巨噬细胞MMP-9的分泌（P〈0.01）。③CGRP下调LPS诱导的肺泡巨噬细胞MMP-9分泌的作用可为蛋白激酶C阻断剂H-7及钙调蛋白阻断剂W-7部分逆转（P〈0.05）。结论：CGRP可明显下调LPS诱导的大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞MMP-9活性,其机制与蛋白激酶C及钙调蛋白信号途径有关。     

神经肽Y、钙基因相关肽和P物质在甲状腺中的分布及其在甲亢状态下的变化(英文)

以往的研究表明,甲状腺中分布有肽能神经,包括神经肽Y(NPY)能神经、P物质(SP)能神经和脑肠肽(VIP)能神经.这些神经纤维的终末与血管和甲状腺的滤泡接触.一般认为,甲状腺的功能活动主要受下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺轴的调节,有关神经肽的调节,尤其是在甲亢状态下的调节尚不清楚.本研究以SD大鼠为实验动物,通过T4注射建立甲亢动物模型.使用免疫组化技术对NPY、CGRP和SP 在实验与对照动物的分布进行形态学研究,使用放射免疫测定技术对模型动物与对照动物甲状腺中的NPY、CGRP和SP进行定量研究.免疫组化技术发现NPY阳性神经纤维密集环绕小血管,其末端与血管内皮紧密联系,一些NPY阳性神经走行于滤泡间的结缔组织中,其末端与滤泡上皮接触;有SP阳性神经纤维走行于滤泡间的结缔组织中,其末端与滤泡上皮接触;CGRP阳性细胞分布于滤泡间的结缔组织中,或滤泡上皮细胞之间.放射免疫测定表明甲亢大鼠NPY、SP水平高于对照大鼠,CGRP水平低于对照大鼠.结果表明,在甲亢状态下,机体通过血管收缩介质NPY、SP的增多与血管舒张介质CGRP的减少,控制甲状腺素进入血液循环,这是机体在病理过程中的自稳机制之一.     

Early increase in CGRP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves in the skin of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Summary We have previously shown depletion of nerves and neuropeptides in skin biopsies of diabetic patients, even in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms of sensory and autonomic neuropathy, but were unable to examine the changes occurring at an early stage of the disease. Therefore, the distribution and relative density of peptide-containing nerves was studied in streptozotocin-treated rats in order to assess the progression of neural changes in the initial stages of diabetes. Skin samples dissected from the lip and footpad of diabetic rats, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after streptozotocin injection and age matched controls were sectioned and were immunostained with antisera to the neuropeptides substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and to a general neural marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). No change was apparent in the distribution or relative density of immunoreactive cutaneous nerve fibres 2, 4 and 8 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. By 12 weeks there was a marked increase in the number of CGRP-immunoreactive fibres present in epidermis and dermis, and of VIP-immunoreactive fibres around sweat glands and blood vessels. A parallel increase was seen in nerves displaying PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity. No differences were detected in nerves immunoreactive for either substance P in the epidermis and dermis, and NPY around blood vessels. The alterations in the peptide immunoreactivities may be similar in the initial stages of human diabetes.     

Early increase in CGRP- and VIP-immunoreactive nerves in the skin of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

We have previously shown depletion of nerves and neuropeptides in skin biopsies of diabetic patients, even in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms of sensory and autonomic neuropathy, but were unable to examine the changes occurring at an early stage of the disease. Therefore, the distribution and relative density of peptide-containing nerves was studied in streptozotocin-treated rats in order to assess the progression of neural changes in the initial stages of diabetes. Skin samples dissected from the lip and footpad of diabetic rats, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after streptozotocin injection and age matched controls were sectioned and were immunostained with antisera to the neuropeptides substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and to a general neural marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). No change was apparent in the distribution or relative density of immunoreactive cutaneous nerve fibres 2, 4 and 8 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. By 12 weeks there was a marked increase in the number of CGRP-immunoreactive fibres present in epidermis and dermis, and of VIP-immunoreactive fibres around sweat glands and blood vessels. A parallel increase was seen in nerves displaying PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity. No differences were detected in nerves immunoreactive for either substance P in the epidermis and dermis, and NPY around blood vessels. The alterations in the peptide immunoreactivities may be similar in the initial stages of human diabetes.     

Neuropeptide Y modulates the action of vasodilator agents in guinea-pig epicardial coronary arteries

Recently, we have demonstrated that guinea-pig epicardial coronary arteries are supplied by numerous nerve fibres containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) immunoreactivity. However, examination of vasomotor responses revealed that NPY did not elicit a contractile response in these arteries. In contrast, acetylcholine (ACh), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) all relaxed precontracted arteries. In the present study, we have used histochemical, immunohistochemical and in vitro pharmacological techniques, in order to further investigate the possible role of NPY in guinea-pig epicardial coronary arteries. A double-immunofluorescence staining technique revealed that CGRP and substance P were co-localized in nerve fibres distinct from those displaying NPY immunoreactivity. Furthermore, using a method combining immunofluorescence and histochemical techniques, we observed that putative cholinergic nerve fibres (identified by their acetylcholinesterase content) and NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibres are two different nerve populations. An in vitro pharmacological method demonstrated that NPY markedly inhibited the relaxant responses mediated by ACh, VIP, substance P and isoprenaline but had no effect on CGRP. These results suggest that NPY-containing nerves associated with guinea-pig epicardial coronary arteries may be predominantly involved in modulating the action of vasodilator agents.     

Sympathetic and sensory innervation of the urinary tract in young adult and aged rats: a semi-quantitative histochemical and immunohistochemical study

Summary The sympathetic innervation of the urinary tract of young adult (4 months) and aged (24+ months) rats has been examined by glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence for the detection of noradrenaline and by immunofluorescence using antisera against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Immunostaining for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), known to be present in pelvic sensory nerves, was also performed. Semi-quantitative estimations of nerve densities were made of noradrenergic and peptidergic fibres innervating the smooth musculature of the ureter, bladder and urethra, and of the urinary tract vasculature. In the aged rats the overall patterns of innervation remained unchanged. However, with the exception of the vesical vasculature, the density of noradrenergic innervation decreased as did the intensity of histofluorescence. A similar pattern of results was observed by TH and NPY immunofluorescence. The results present evidence for a diminution in the sympathetic control of the urinary tract in aged rats. The pattern and density of CGRP-immunoreactive nerves was unchanged in the aged animals suggesting that pelvic visceral sensory innervation is more resistant to the effects of advancing age.     

Postnatal development of sympathetic and sensory innervation of the rhesus monkey ovary.

We have used immunofluorescence to study the postnatal development of the sympathetic and sensory innervation to the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) ovary. Sympathetic nerves were identified as adrenergic by their content of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like immunoreactivity and as peptidergic by the presence of neuropeptide Y (NPY). Fibers containing substance P (SP) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity were considered as sensory, whereas vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-positive fibers were only defined as peptidergic because VIP may be present in both sympathetic and sensory nerves. Ovaries from neonatal (2-mo-old), juvenile (9-18-mo-old), peripubertal (3-3.5-yr-old), adult (9-14-yr-old), and senescent (20-27-yr-old) monkeys were studied. At all ages, with the exception of senescence, TH-, NPY-, and VIP-containing fibers were associated with follicles in different developmental stages. In peripubertal and adult animals, some primordial follicles were found to be selectively innervated by VIPergic fibers that almost completely encircled each follicle. Both sympathetic and VIP fibers were also detected in the interstitial tissue and associated with the ovarian vasculature at all ages. The number of sympathetic and VIP fibers increased significantly (p < 0.01) between 2 mo and 9-18 mo of age, and again increased (p < 0.01) around the age of puberty (approximately 3 yr of age). After this time, the number of NPY and TH fibers remained constant. Conversely, the number of VIP fibers decreased (p < 0.05) by 9-14 yr of age, but remained constant thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bone and joint neuropathy in rats with type-2 diabetes

We have previously demonstrated that Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with spontaneous type-2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy exhibit regional osteopathic changes. In the present study on 18 GK rats and 21 control Wistar rats, the occurrence of the sensory neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the autonomic neuropeptide Y (NPY) was analysed in bone and joints, dorsal root ganglia and lumbar spinal cord by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Immunohistochemistry disclosed a predominance of immunoreactivities in vessel-related nerve fibers, although some were also seen in free terminals. While SP, CGRP and NPY in periosteum, cortical bone and synovium was confined to neuronal tissue, the bone marrow in addition exhibited an abundance of NPY-positive megakaryocytes. Apart from this cellular source of NPY, the observations suggest that the three neuropeptides analysed in bone and joints are of neuronal origin. Quantification by RIA showed a significant decrease of NPY in cortical bone (-36%), bone marrow (-66%) and ankle (-29%) of GK rats. CGRP was decreased in the spinal cord (-19%) and dorsal root ganglia (-26%) but was unchanged in bone and joints, as with SP. Given the suggested anabolic role of NPY and CGRP on bone, neuropeptidergic deficit in diabetes may prove to be an important factor underlying the development of regional osteopenia.     

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is released from sympathetic nerve terminals via a botulinum neurotoxin A-mediated mechanism in canine mesenteric artery

Using high-performance liquid chromatography techniques with fluorescence and electrochemical detection, we found that beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (beta-NAD) is released in response to electrical field stimulation (4-16 Hz, 0.3 ms, 15 V, 120 s) along with ATP and norepinephrine (NE) in the canine isolated mesenteric arteries. The release of beta-NAD increases with number of pulses/stimulation frequencies. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed dense distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity (TH-LI) and sparse distribution of TH-LI-negative nerve processes, suggesting that these blood vessels are primarily under sympathetic nervous system control with some contribution of other (e.g., sensory) neurons. Exogenous NE (3 micromol/l), alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1 micromol/l), neuropeptide Y (NPY, 0.1 micromol/l), CGRP (0.1 micromol/l), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, 0.1 micromol/l), and substance P (SP, 0.1 micromol/l) had no effect on the basal release of beta-NAD, suggesting that the overflow of beta-NAD is evoked by neither the sympathetic neurotransmitters NE, ATP, and NPY, nor the neuropeptides CGRP, VIP, and SP. Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNTA, 0.1 micromol/l) abolished the evoked release of NE, ATP, and beta-NAD at 4 Hz, suggesting that at low levels of neural activity, release of these neurotransmitters results from N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor/synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa-mediated exocytosis. At 16 Hz, however, the evoked release of NE, ATP, and beta-NAD was reduced by BoNTA by approximately 90, 60, and 80%, respectively, suggesting that at higher levels of neural activity, beta-NAD is likely to be released from different populations of synaptic vesicles or different populations of nerve terminals (i.e., sympathetic and sensory terminals).     

CGRP immunohistochemistry in wound healing and dentin bridge formation following rat molar pulpotomy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuropeptide CGRP in order to determine the effect on dentin bridge formation during the healing process after pulpotomy. First maxillary molars in 56-day-old Wistar rats (n=60) were used. The rats were killed for a neurohistopathological examination at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days postoperatively. Neuronal changes in the residual pulp were studied using CGRP immunohistochemistry. By 1–3 days postoperatively, the CGRP-IR nerve fibers with abnormal beaded or knob-like structures were found to be more swollen than in the control and the leakage of a CGRP-IR-positive substance from the involved end of the nerve fibers was seen. At 7 days postoperatively, a vast number of newly sprouted CGRP-IR nerve fibers appeared in the residual pulp and some of them terminated in the differentiating odontoblast layer and the initial matrix layer of the dentin bridge. By 14–28 days, the nerve density had become progressively lower in the residual pulp. Regenerated axons also terminated in the odontoblast layer and the fibrous matrix layer of the calcified dentin bridge. These findings suggest that such sensory neuropeptides as CGRP may, therefore, play a role in dentin bridge formation in the rat molar. Accepted: 19 August 1999     

Effects of neuropeptides on growth of cultivated rat molar pulp fibroblasts

The effect of the neuropeptides substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on DNA synthesis of dental pulp cells was investigated in cells grown from molar tooth bud explants from 4–6 days old rat pups. A concentration response-assay of the proliferative response of pulpal cells was performed with SP, NPY, NKA, CGRP and VIP (0.01 to 1 nM) in the presence of EGF (10 ng/ml), hydrocortisone (0.4 μg/ml) and 3% FCS, using [³H]thymidine incorporation. The results showed that SP, NKA and CGRP, but not NPY and VIP, increased the cell number in a concentration-dependent manner, with maxima at 10⁻¹⁰ – 10⁻⁹ M (SP, NKA) and 10⁻⁷ M (CGRP). No potentiating effect was noted when cells are simultaneously stimulated with SP and CGRP. The finding that SP, NKA and CGRP have growth regulatory properties on pulpal cells in vitro suggests that sensory neuropeptides may be involved during pulpal development or in wound healing after pulpal injury.     

Sensory Nerve Innervation of Epineurial Arterioles of the Sciatic Nerve Containing Calcitonin Gene–Related Peptide: Effect of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

The authors have determined that epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve are innervated by nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerves that contribute to the regulation of vasodilation. Using immunohistochemistry, the authors determined that nerves innervating epineurial arterioles contain the neuropeptide calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP). Using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the authors demonstrated that CGRP content in sensory nerves innervating epineurial arterioles and vasodilation in response to exogenous CGRP was decreased. In summary, epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve are innervated by sensory nerves containing the neuropeptide CGRP. The diabetes-like condition induced by streptozotocin reduces the content of CGRP in these nerves and exogenous CGRPmediated vasodilation. CGRP is likely an important regulator of vascular tone and compromising its function could contribute to nerve ischemia and diabetic neuropathy.