Quantitative examination of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibres in the cat knee joint capsule

1997 ◽  
Vol 195 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Heppelmann ◽  
Zahra Shahbazian ◽  
Ulrike Hanesch
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide ◽  
Joint Capsule ◽  
Nerve Fibres ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Calcitonin Gene ◽  
Quantitative Examination

A role for calcitonin gene-related peptide in rabbit knee joint ligament healing

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 535-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason J McDougall ◽  
Grace Yeung ◽  
Catherine A Leonard ◽  
Robert C Bray
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Wound Repair ◽  
Topical Administration ◽  
Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide ◽  
Collateral Ligaments ◽  
Rabbit Knee ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Calcitonin Gene ◽  
Ligament Healing

Knee joint ligament healing has been shown to be improved when the torn ligament ends remain in contact, however, the rationale for these effects is unknown. The sensory neuropeptide calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) has potent trophic and vasodilatatory properties and as such is thought to be advantageous in wound repair. In ascertaining a role for CGRP in rabbit medial collateral ligament healing, the present study examined changes in CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) and CGRP-mediated vasomotor responses in gap injured (non-contact), Z-plasty apposed (contact), and sham operated control medial collateral ligaments. At 6 weeks post-trauma, CGRP-LI decreased in the healing zone of gap injured and Z-plasty apposed medial collateral ligaments compared with controls, and non-contact ligament nerve fibres exhibited an abnormal morphology. Topical administration of CGRP (10-13 to 10-9 mol) caused a dose-dependent increase in ligament perfusion in each experimental group of knees. The CGRP-mediated vasodilatation associated with gap injured ligaments was not significantly different from controls (P = 0.06), whereas apposed medial collateral ligaments showed an augmented response to the peptide (P < 0.0005). These findings indicate that the beneficial effects of ligament interposition post-trauma may be related to an enhanced responsiveness to CGRP in conjunction with a more typical re-innervation profile. Conversely, the aberrant characteristics of CGRP-LI nerves occurring in gap injured tissue is suggestive of impaired CGRP release which may explain the poor functional recovery associated with these ligaments.Key words: blood flow, injury, knee joint, neuropeptides, wound repair.

Diverse interactions of calcitonin gene related peptide and nitric oxide in the gastric and cutaneous microcirculation

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 991-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Holzer ◽  
Ch. Wachter ◽  
M. Jocič ◽  
I. Th. Lippe ◽  
A. Heinemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Gastric Mucosa ◽  
Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide ◽  
Afferent Nerve ◽  
Nerve Fibres ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Neurogenic Vasodilatation ◽  
Cutaneous Microcirculation ◽  
Cgrp Release ◽  
Calcitonin Gene

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) is the major mediator of afferent nerve mediated vasodilatation in the gastric mucosa and skin of the rat. Since receptors for CGRP occur on both the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle, it is conceivable that the vascular actions of CGRP involve multiple mechanisms. The vasodilator effect of rat CGRP-α in the rat gastric mucosa is indeed inhibited by blockade of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, as is the gastric mucosal hyperemia in response to gastric acid challenge, which is mediated by CGRP release from afferent nerve fibres. In contrast, the vasodilator response to rat CGRP-α in the rat hind paw and the CGRP-mediated vasodilatation evoked by antidromic stimulation of afferent nerve fibres do not depend on the formation of NO. These data indicate that NO plays regionally different roles in the local vasodilator action of CGRP. NO is a secondary vasorelaxant messenger of CGRP in the gastric, but not in the cutaneous, microcirculation. However, this L-arginine-derived autacoid may have a role in the irritant-induced CGRP release from afferent vasodilator fibres in the skin.Key words: calcitonin gene related peptide, nitric oxide, microcirculation, gastric mucosa, skin, afferent nerve fibres, neurogenic vasodilatation.

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