Abstract
NPY is a co-transmitter of noradrenaline (NA) and assumed to potentiate some of the cardiovascular effects of NA. Since NPY is assumed to occur only in the sympathetic nerve terminals and not in the adrenal medulla it might be used as a selective marker of sympathetic nervous activity while the plasma CA also originate from the adrenal medulla and paraganglia. Nine anesthetized 2 w piglets were subjected to 6% CO2 12% O2 and 6% O2 for 6 min respectively before and after T (20 mg/kg i.v.). Arterial NA, adrenaline (A) and NPY were measured before and during each gas challenge. CA levels were unaffected by CO2 and 12% O2 both before and after T. However, there was a moderate increase in A and NA during 6% O2 which was greatly enhanced after T (bef. T; A, nM: 0.6-11, NA: 25-87, aft. T; A: 1.5-90, NA: 35-158). NPY levels were increased both during 12% and 6% O2, as was the basal levels of NPY after T (bef. T, pM: 12% O2, 36-84, 6% O2; 53-153, aft. T; 12% O2; 117-146, 6% O2 137-168). We conclude that the sympathetic nervous system is substantially activated during hypoxia and theophylline treatment as indicated by the NPY levels, while the adrenal medulla only seem to be considerably activated during hypoxia after theophylline treatment.
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Thoresen, M., Dahlin, I. & Lagercrantz, H. 104: NEUROPEPTIDE Y (NPY) AND CATECHOLAMINE (CA) RELEASE IN THE NEWBORN PIGLET - ENHANCED AFTER THEOPHYLLINE (T). Pediatr Res 24, 277 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198808000-00129
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198808000-00129