Abstract
BACKGROUND: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is an intrinsic vasodilatory substance contained in perivascular nerve fibers of intracranial arteries. It is suggested that CGRP plays a role in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHOD: An experimental SAH was produced by intracisternal injection of arterial blood in rabbits. The animals were treated with intrathecal administration of CGRP solution 3 days after SAH. The degree of vasospasm and the effect of CGRP were evaluated angiographically by measuring the basilar artery diameter. RESULTS: The basilar artery constricted to 73.0% of the pre-SAH values 3 days after SAH. Fifteen minutes after injection of 10-10 mol/kg CGRP, the basilar artery dilated to 117.1% (n = 8), which was significantly larger than 67.1% in the vehicle group (n = 8) (p < 0.01). The significant vasodilatory effect of CGRP, compared with the vehicle group, lasted for 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal administration of CGRP has therapeutic potential for treating cerebral vasospasm.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 263-270 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Surgical Neurology |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 Sep |
Keywords
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide
- rabbit
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- vasospasm
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Clinical Neurology