NEUROPEPTIDE-Y - A POSSIBLE ROLE IN HYPERTENSION

Purpose: To evaluate whether neuropeptide Y (NPY) is likely to be rele vant as a regulator of cardiovascular function in general and of blood pressure control in arterial hypertension in particular, based on a l iterature survey. Results of data analysis: NPY is a putative cotransm itter of many central and peripheral sympathetic neurons. It and its r eceptors are present in brain areas and peripheral tissues involved in cardiovascular regulation, and administration of exogenous NPY to the se sites can elicit functional cardiovascular responses by acting on s pecific pre- and postsynaptic receptors. Moreover, NPY may act as a gr owth factor for the development of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy. T he release of NPY and postsynaptic vasoconstriction responses to NPY m ay be enhanced in hypertension, whereas presynaptic inhibitory respons es may be attenuated. Some of these alterations may precede the develo pment of blood pressure elevations in the spontaneously hypertensive r at model of genetic hypertension. Conclusions: NPY might be an importa nt physiological and pathophysiological modulator of cardiovascular fu nction, but further studies using specific high-affinity antagonists a re required.