Effect of neuropeptide Y on cardiac output, its distribution, regional blood flow and organ vascular resistances in the pithed rat.

1. The effects of neuropeptide Y on cardiac output, its distribution and organ vascular resistances were determined with tracer microspheres in pithed rats. 2. Neuropeptide Y increased blood pressure by increasing both cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. The increase in cardiac output was due to an increase in stroke volume as heart rate was not changed. Increased vascular resistance in the splenic, renal, testicular, epididymal, skeletal muscle, large intestinal and mesenteric vascular beds contributed to the increase in total peripheral resistance. Vasoconstriction was most pronounced in the mesenteric bed. 3. This study indicates that neuropeptide Y increases blood pressure by increasing cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. The increased cardiac output is possibly due to an increase in venous return, whilst the increased total peripheral resistance was due to regional vasoconstriction, particularly in the mesenteric bed.