Calcitonin gene-related peptide in the hepatic and splanchnic vascular systems of the rat.

The distribution and origin of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive structures in hepatic and splanchnic vasculature of the rat were investigated by the immunofluorescent technique. Calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers were dissociated from compact thick calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fiber bundles located around the hepatic and splanchnic vasculature, and reached the tunica adventitia of the vasculature. Some fibers penetrated further into the tunica media of the vasculature. In the tunica adventitia of the vasculature, calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers formed a fine meshwork which could be traced to the branches and arterioles. In the liver, calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive innervation extended from porta hepatis to portal triads, running with branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein. Some calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers separated from thinner calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fiber bundles in portal triads and coursed into the immediately adjacent parenchyma. In the dorsal spinal ganglia (T8-10, L1), calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive cells accounted for about 60% of the total number of ganglion cells. Bilateral vagotomy just below the diaphragm or bilateral transection of the greater splanchnic nerve resulted in a marked decrease of the number of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers in the vasculature, whereas a combined operation was followed by the complete depletion of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers. These results indicate that calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive innervation in hepatic and splanchnic vasculature may have a dual origin. In conclusion, the widespread distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive fibers in the hepatic and splanchnic vasculature suggest that calcitonin gene-related peptide innervation may be involved in sensory transmission.