Upregulation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in stellate ganglia of children with congenital cardiovascular lesions

The distribution patterns of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and ca lcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivities (IR) in stellate ga nglia of human neonates and infants with congenital heart and vascular lesi ons were investigated by the method of indirect immunohistochemistry. The r esults demonstrated upregulation of VIP and CGRP expression in principal ga nglionic neurons independently of the type of lesion. It is suggested that the activation of neuropeptide synthesis in stellate ganglia is a compensat ory reaction of ganglionic neurons in response to congenital cardiovascular lesions, in regulation of heart contractility, and as a trophic influence on the ischemic myocardium. Hypoxia is the main inducing factor for the upr egulation of VIP and CGRP expression in sympathetic neurons.