ROLE OF NEUROPEPTIDE-Y IN COLD STRESS-INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Chronic cold stress (4 degrees C) produced a sustained increase in mea n arterial pressure in both normotensive and borderline hypertensive r ats (BHR). The high blood pressure in BHRs was significantly reversed by a neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y-1 receptor antagonist suggesting that NPY is involved in mediating stress-induced hypertension. Corresponding in creases in adrenal NPY messenger RNA and NPY immunoreactivity were fou nd during the stress; furthermore, chronic cold stress also potentiate d the presser response of rats to a subsequent acute stress test in wh ich NPY has been shown to play a role. These results suggest that chro nic cold stress-induced hypertension is mediated by elevated NPY relea se and vascular tone as a result of increased NPY gene expression and storage. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.