Effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on [3H]norepinephrine release in medulla oblongata of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We now describe the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on [3H]norepinephrine (NE) release in medulla oblongata of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). CGRP inhibited stimulation-evoked [3H]NE release in a dose-dependent manner in Sprague-Dawley rats, although the basal release of [3H]NE was not affected by the peptide. In SHR, the inhibitory effect of CGRP on stimulation-evoked [3H]NE release was significantly attenuated compared with Wistar Kyoto rats. These results suggest that CGRP might be involved in the regulation of central sympathetic nervous activity in hypertension.