Calcitonin gene-related peptide protects the myocardium from ischemia induced by endothelin-1: Intravital microscopic observation and 31P-MR spectroscopic studies

• Published in: Life sciences (1973) Vol. 118; no. 2; pp. 248 - 254
• Main Authors: Homma, Satoshi, Kimura, Taizo, Sakai, Satoshi, Yanagi, Ken-ichi, Miyauchi, Yumi, Aonuma, Kazutaka, Miyauchi, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.11.2014
• Subjects: 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy; CGRP; Coronary microcirculation; Myocardial energy metabolism; Coronary microcirculation; Myocardial energy metabolism; CGRP; 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0024-3205; 1879-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.02.024

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator neuropeptide. We investigated the ameliorating effect of CGRP in myocardial ischemia induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1), with special emphasis on myocardial microvascular hemodynamics and levels of energy-related metabolites. The Langendorff preparations of rat isolated heart were perfused at a constant flow rate. Microvascular blood flow was also visualized in the anterior epicardium of the left ventricle by means of an intravital fluorescence microscope system. Energy-related metabolite contents in the myocardium were measured by means of 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). Intracoronary bolus injections of CGRP caused dose-dependent decreases in coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) in the hearts exposed to ET-1 (30pmol). The vasodilator potency of CGRP was about 10,000-fold greater than that of nitroglycerin and 1,000-fold greater than that of isobutylmethylxanthine. Vasodilation of the small-sized arterioles (10–40μm in diameter) in response to CGRP (100pmol) was confirmed by direct microscopic observation. After ET-1 (30pmol) plus vehicle administration, high energy phosphates (phosphocreatine (PCr), ATP) were markedly reduced (p<0.05). CGRP administration significantly (p<0.05) attenuated the anaerobic changes in the myocardium (decrease in PCr) and macrohemodynamic alterations (increase in CPP, decrease in dP/dt etc.) induced by ET-1. We conclude that CGRP effectively confers hemodynamic and metabolic protections to isolated beating hearts against ET-1-induced myocardial ischemia. [Display omitted]