Selective increase of V beta 2+ T cells in the small intestinal mucosa in Kawasaki disease

The current study tested the hypothesis that the gastrointestinal tract could be one of the primary sites of entry for etiologic agents in Kawasaki disease (KD). In an attempt to elucidate the pathogenic role of certain superantigenic agents in KD, T cell receptor V beta expression by T cells in the small intestinal mucosa of KD patients was investigated using MAb on frozen tissue sections. Twelve Japanese patients with KD and eight controls were enrolled in the study. The numbers of cells stained by an immunofluorescence from each study group were counted and analyzed statistically by the t test. The occurrence of V beta 2+ T cells was found to be selectively increased in the small intestinal mucosa of patients in the acute phase of KD compared with controls (p < 0.01). In our previous study, five kinds of streptococci and two kinds of staphylococci, not detected in control patients, were isolated from the lumen of the jejunum of KD patients. These data suggest that the increased occurrence of V beta 2+ T cells in the jejunal mucosa of KD patients may be caused by exotoxins acting as superantigens produced by bacteria colonizing the small intestinal mucosa of these patients.

Involvement of Fas in regression of vaginal epithelia after ovariectomy and during an estrous cycle

Fas, also called APO-1, belongs to the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor receptor family and transmits an apoptotic signal within the cell by binding to the Fas ligand. Fas has been implicated in the activation-induced suicide of T cells and cytotoxic T cell activity in the immune system. Non-immune cells such as those in liver, lung and ovary also express Fas, but its role in these cells remains unclear. Ovariectomy has been used to study homeostasis of female reproductive organs, which is regulated by sex hormones. Here we analyzed Fas function in the ovariectomy-induced regression of mouse vaginal epithelial cells. Fas expression was detected in vagina and was elevated after ovariectomy. Fas-deficient lpr and lpr(cg) mice did not exhibit ovariectomy-induced regression of vaginal epithelia, whereas uterine regression induced by ovariectomy was not affected in these mice. The vaginas of lpr and lpr(cg) mice were in a persistent estrous stage with cornification of vaginal epithelia, as judged from the cell types in the vaginal fluid. Thus, Fas appears to be involved directly in the regression of vaginal epithelia induced by ovariectomy and during the estrous cycle, suggesting that the physiological role of this receptor extends beyond that exerted on immune cells. This is the first evidence of a role for Fas inducing physiological apoptosis in non-immune cells.

Elevated levels of soluble Fc epsilon RII/CD23 and antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

To clarify how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is responsible for Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) we measured both IgG and IgM antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) of EBV in the sera of normal healthy subjects and patients with SjS. Anti-VCA IgG was detectable in all controls and patients however, anti-VCA IgG titers in the sera of SjS patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (p < 0.01). No anti-VCA IgM was detected in the sera of controls whereas anti-VCA IgM was detected in the sera from 10 out of the 13 patients with SjS. This suggests that SjS might be associated with EBV. The serum levels of sCD23 (IgE-binding factor) were also measured to assess the differential state in patients with SjS. The sCD23 level of normal individuals was 211.26 +/- 12.01 micrograms/L (value is mean +/- SE), and was 443.77 +/- 71.94 micrograms/L in the 13 patients with SjS. The mean sCD23 level in the 9 patients with SjS without any complication was 360.67 +/- 35.63 micrograms/L. In the patients with SjS, sCD23 levels were significantly higher than those in the normal individuals (p < 0.01).

[Psychosomatic effect of a health program on obese employees]

A 12-week training period including exercise and diet was undertaken to determine the effects of a newly developed health program on the physical and phychological parameters in 24 obese employees of a certain company. The association between a number of somatic parameters and psychological variables, including the attitude toward better health, and the level of mental health (General Health Questionnaire) were analysed before, immediately or 1 year after the program. After the program, significant overall improvements were found in several physical parameters. Those who had higher initial levels of attitudes toward better health showed greater exercising/dieting achievements during the program. Furthermore, these considerable health-related attitudes seemed to be concerned with higher HDL levels preceding the program, and minor improvements in diastolic blood pressure due to the program. The GHQ scores tended to increase in proportion to decreased exercising/ dieting achievements during the program and undesirable lifestyle that ignored any form of exercising.

Survey of microcystins in environmental water by a highly sensitive immunoassay based on monoclonal antibody

By using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a monoclonal antibody, microcystin (MC) concentration was analyzed in environmental water samples (total, 134), collected in 1993-1995 from ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in Japan, Thailand, Germany, and Portugal. MCs detected in the water samples filtered over a glass filter were designated as free MCs, and those samples that were freeze-thawed twice before the filtration were designated as total MCs. MCs (> 50 pg/ml) were detected in 14 of 24 samples collected from the lakes that were used as recreation and water supply in Japan in different regions. In the MC-positive samples, the concentration of free MCs was only a few percentages of the total MCs, indicating that the most part of MCs found in the water samples was present in algal cells. An additional trial on 33 samples collected continuously from Lake Inbanuma, Japan, during June-September 1994-1995 revealed that the total MCs were in a range of 52-52,000 pg/ml. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, 6 of 10 samples were positive, with the mean and highest of 161 and 354 pg/ml, respectively. In the Frankfurt area. Germany, 4 of 10 and 7 of 8 samples collected in the same lakes for recreation in July 1993 and November-December 1994 showed the presence of MCs, with their mean and highest values of 257 and 407 pg/ml, respectively. Another survey of MCs in dense bloomed samples collected with plankton net revealed a contamination of MCs up to 36,000 pg/ml. In Portugal, 28 of 29 samples from 4 lakes, 20 rivers, and 5 reservoirs were positive for MCs, with the respective means of 13,664, 11,048, and 2,278 pg/ml. These data indicated that MCs contaminate environmental water in ponds, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs worldwide. The present ELISA is considered to be a reliable tool for the mass monitoring and risk assessment of MCs in water supplies.

Apoptosis mediated by the Fas system

Fas is a cell-surface protein mediating apoptosis. Fas ligand is a type II membrane protein and induces apoptosis by binding to Fas. Fas ligand is expressed in activated T cells, and works as an effector of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Molecular and genetic analysis of Fas and Fas ligand indicated that mouse lymphoproliferation mutation (lpr) and generalized lymphoproliferative disease (gld) are mutations of Fas and Fas ligand respectively. The lpr of gld mice develop lymphadenopathy, and suffer from autoimmune disease. Based on these phenotypes and other studies, it was concluded that the Fas system is involved in the apoptotic process during T-cell development, specifically peripheral clonal deletion or activation-induced suicide of mature T cells. In addition to the activated lymphocytes, Fas is expressed in the liver, heart and lung. Administration of agonistic anti-Fas antibody into mice induced apoptosis in the liver and quickly killed the mice, causing liver damage. These findings suggest that the Fas system plays a role not only in the physiological process of lymphocyte development, but also in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated disease such as fulminant hepatitis.

Effects of myeloid cell growth factors on alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, defensin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor mRNA expression in haemopoietic cells of normal individuals and myeloid disorders

The mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), defensin and G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) in bone marrow cells of normal individuals and myeloid disorders, with or without in vitro stimulation by myeloid cell growth factors, i.e. G-CSF, GM-CSF and IL-3, were examined as markers for myeloid cell differentiation in both mononuclear cell (MNC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) fractions. Without any stimulation, ALP mRNA was expressed only in PMNs, G-CSFR mRNA in PMNs were expressed stronger than in MNCs; both MPO and defensin mRNA were expressed to the same degree in both fractions. With stimulation, the ALP mRNA expression in both fractions was strongly enhanced by G-CSF, but the expression was inhibited by GM-CSF and/or IL-3. MPO mRNA expression was stimulated by G-CSF and/or GM-CSF in MNCs. G-CSFR mRNA expression was enhanced by G-CSF in both fractions. Defensin mRNA expression was inhibited by G-CSF. In cases of myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelogenous leukaemia which display a suppressed maturation of myeloid cells, our results demonstrated an almost normal response to these growth factors. Our results suggest that studies on these myeloid marker mRNA expressions would provide more knowledge about the differentiation state and cytokine reactivity of myeloid cells in normal individuals as well as various disorders.

Evaluation of 6.5-mm BENT incision to reduce postoperative astigmatism

We examined surgically induced astigmatism following 6.5-mm incisions between 9 and 12 o'clock (BENT incision) in 50 cases with cataracts who underwent phacoemulsification-aspiration and 6-mm intraocular lens implantation. The surgically induced astigmatism (n = 50) shifted to against-the-rule astigmatism (ATR; -0.03 +/- 0.95 dpt) 1 day after the operation and then tended to shift to with-the-rule astigmatism (WTR). The results of a group with preexisting ATR (> 2 dpt; n = 4) were similar to the results of the aforementioned group, whereas the results of a group (n = 7) with preexisting WTR (> 2 dpt) were different. Astigmatism in this group shifted to ATR of about 1.0 dpt. This study suggests that the BENT incision procedure can reduce both preexisting WTR > 2.0 dpt and preexisting ATR > 2 dpt.

High concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin in the plasma of mares and fetal gonads during the second half of pregnancy

Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive (ir)-inhibin were measured in seven pregnant mares from around Day 140 of gestation to Day 2 after parturition using a heterologous bovine-based radioimmunoassay (RIA). Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol-17 beta, progesterone and relaxin were also measured in the same samples. A marked increase in plasma concentrations of ir-inhibin, FSH and LH occurred between Day 220 and Day 300 of gestation but the concentrations of all three hormones returned to baseline by about Day 320 (three weeks before parturition). In contrast, circulating concentrations of the three placental hormones, oestradiol-17 beta, progesterone and relaxin, increased during the final weeks of pregnancy and then decreased markedly to basal values within two days of parturition. There was a positive correlation between circulating concentrations of ir-inhibin and FSH (r = 0.75, P < 0.01) rather than the expected negative correlation. ir-inhibin was not detected in homogenates obtained at Day 190 of pregnancy and form term placenta, but high concentrations of ir-inhibin were present in homogenates of fetal and newborn gonads. Despite the high concentrations of ir-inhibin in these homogenates, they failed to exert any suppressive bioactivity on FSH secretion by rat pituitary cells cultured in vitro. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of inhibin in the interstitial cells of equine fetal gonads at Day 190 of gestation. These findings demonstrate for the first time that high concentrations of ir-inhibin, LH and FSH are secreted into the peripheral circulation of the mare during the second half of pregnancy. However, ir-inhibin present in the plasma of pregnant mares appears to be biologically inactive. This hormone is not presumed to be of placental origin but it is proposed that either the enlarged fetal gonads or the maternal ovaries, or both of these organs, may be a source of inhibin in response to the coincident increase in circulating concentrations of LH and FSH.

Fas-mediated apoptosis

Homeostasis in vertebrates is tightly regulated by cell death as well as by cell proliferation. The death of cells during embryogenesis, metamorphosis, endocrine-dependent tissue atrophy, and normal tissue turnover is "programmed cell death", mediated by a process called "apoptosis". Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells kill the target cells by inducing apoptosis. Apoptosis can be distinguished from necrosis, which occurs as a result of injury, complement attack, severe hypoxia and hyperthermia. Morphological and biochemical analyses of the apoptotic cell death process indicated that apoptosis is accompanied by condensation of cytoplasm, loss of plasma membrane microvilli, segmentation of nucleus, and extensive degradation of chromosomal DNA into oligomers of 180 bp. Cellular proliferation and differentiation are mediated by a family of proteins called cytokines. Our studies on the Fas ligand and Fas have indicated that apoptosis is also mediated by a cytokine and its receptor in some cases. Here, I summarize the current status of the Fas death factor system.

Expression of Fas in B cells of the mouse germinal center and Fas-dependent killing of activated B cells

Fas is a cell-surface protein of 45 kDa. Binding of the Fas ligand (FasL) to Fas induces apoptosis in Fas-bearing cells. Analysis of mouse mutants in either Fas or FasL have indicated that the Fas system is involved in apoptosis of lymphocytes. To identify the cells expressing Fas, mouse spleen sections were analyzed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Fas mRNA was detected in the T cells of the inner region of the periarterial lymphatic sheath and the inner lumen of the marginal zone. The cells in the outer region of the periarterial lymphatic sheath weakly expressed Fas mRNA, whereas it was abundant in the B cells of germinal centers. Immunizing mice with keyhole limpet hemocyanin induced formation of many germinal centers in the spleen. The B cells in the activated germinal center expressed abundant Fas and underwent apoptosis. The in vitro activation of splenocytes with lipopolysaccharide induced Fas expression in B cells and the B cells became sensitive to the Fas-mediated apoptosis. These results suggest that Fas is involved in the activation-induced death of B cells.

[Evaluation of surgical procedures based on the types of hypertrophied obstructive cardiomyopathy]

The surgical procedures were reviewed based on the types of hypertrophied obstructive cardiomyopathy in 20 patients. The patients were classified in three groups: (1) Asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), (2) Atypical or diffuse concentric hypertrophy (DIF), (3) Mid ventricular obstructive hypertrophy (MID). Among 11 patients with ASH, the ventricular septal myotomy (My) or the myotomy-myectomy (Mye) were performed in 9 patients and MVR was performed in 2 patients. Among 6 patients with DIF, My or Mye were performed in 4 and MVR was performed in 2. All three patients with MID were treated with MVR. The intraventricular systolic pressure gradient greater than 40 mmHg was still existent postoperatively in one ASH patient on whom Mye was performed and in 3 DIF patients on whom My or Mye were performed. The four patients had III degree mitral regurgitation preoperatively and were successfully treated. The postoperative NYHA functional class became II or less in all patients. For ASH, the My was effective in 9 patients except one earlier patient. For DIF, further consideration of surgical procedure might be required. For MID, a MVR is recommended.

Effect of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on neointimal formation following balloon injury in the SHR carotid artery

1. In the present study, we examined the effect of a novel angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, TCV-116, on carotid neointimal formation after balloon injury in SHR and WKY rats. 2. Oral administration of TCV-116 at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day reduced not only systolic blood pressure but also neointimal formation after carotid balloon injury. TCV-116 also suppressed cardiac hypertrophy. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril (20 mg/kg per day), had a similar effect to that of TCV-116. 3. In the WKY experiment, both TCV-116 and lisinopril suppressed neointimal formation as well as systolic blood pressure, but did not suppress cardiac hypertrophy. 4. Although SHR showed markedly enhanced neointimal formation after balloon injury compared with age-matched WKY rat, both TCV-116 and lisinopril showed similar suppressive effects on neointimal formation in both SHR and WKY rats. 5. These results confirm the important role of angiotensin II in neointimal formation following balloon injury. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of the difference between SHR and WKY rats in the response of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Gene cloning, purification, and characterization of thermostable and halophilic leucine dehydrogenase from a halophilic thermophile, Bacillus licheniformis TSN9

A halophilic and thermophilic isolate from the sand of Tottori Dune was found to produce a thermostable and halophilic leucine dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.9). It was identified to be a new strain of Bacillus licheniformis. The enzyme gene was cloned into Escherichia coli JM109 with a vector plasmid pUC18. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity from the clone cell extract by ion-exchange column chromatography with a yield of 31%. The enzyme was found to be composed of eight subunits identical in relative molecular mass (43,000). The amino acid sequence of the enzyme, deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the gene, showed an identity of 84.6% with that of the B. stearothermophilus enzyme [Nagata S, Tanizawa K, Esaki N, Sakamoto Y, Oshima T, Tanaka H, Soda K (1988) Biochemistry 27:9056-9062], although both enzymes were similar to each other in various enzymological properties such as thermostability, substrate and coenzyme specificities, and stereospecificity for hydrogen transfer from the C-4 of NADH. However, they were markedly distinct from each other in halophilicity; the B. licheniformis enzyme was much more stable than the other in the presence of high concentrations of salts.

Hyponatremia in central partial diabetes insipidus due to postoperative hypothalamic tumor

We report the case of a 4-year-old boy with a postoperative hypothalamic tumor, who exhibited unusual water and electrolyte disturbance. This developed as a late manifestation during the course of central diabetes insipidus (DI), which started when the patient was 2 years old. Clinically, hyponatremia and DI appeared alternately within 1 day. The hyponatremia (lowest value Na+ 115 mmol/I) was associated with afebrile convulsions. Assessment of fluid status revealed that the patient had a reduced capacity for arginine vasopressin(AVP) secretion (partial DI), which was not physiologically regulated and which was not concomitantly sufficient to produce maximally concentrated urine and allow the production of maximally diluted urine. This defective osmoreceptor function in association with the previously existing reduced capacity for AVP release seemed to be responsible for the fluid disturbance in the patient. The administration of nasal 1-desamino-8D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) only when urine output was increased, instead of regular administration at a fixed time, prevented both worsening of hyponatremia and development of DI.

A novel deletion mutation in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene found in Japanese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Mutations in the cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene of 50 Japanese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. A novel deletion mutation was detected in exon 3 of the cardiac beta-MHC gene in a Japanese family with HCM. Sequencing analysis revealed a three nucleotide deletion at codon 10 leading to a deletion of a glycine residue, which has been conserved in the myosin gene from birds to humans. Because this deletion mutation was not detected in other healthy family members, it was suggested that this 10Gly deletion is the cause of HCM in this family. The same deletion mutation has been found in three other unrelated patients with HCM. This is the first report of a one codon deletion in the beta-MHC gene in patients with HCM.

A missense mutation in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene in a Japanese patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A 55-year-old man had been previously admitted at the age of 44 because of chest pain on effort. He was diagnosed as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular outflow pressure gradient of 65 mmHg. We analyzed the cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain gene in this patient using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP analysis). PCR-SSCP analysis revealed a sequence variation within exon 16. A G-to-A transversion with replacement of Val by Met at codon 606 was confirmed by sequencing analysis. Previously, a 606Val-->Met mutation has been reported to give a benign prognosis because of the neutral charge substitution. However, there have been some premature deaths in this patient's kindred. Thus, despite the absence of a change in charge, this mutation may be malignant in some kindreds.

Targeted mutation in the Fas gene causes hyperplasia in peripheral lymphoid organs and liver

Fas, a type I membrane protein that transduces an apoptotic signal, is expressed in lymphocytes as well as in various tissues such as the liver, lung and heart. The mouse lymphoproliferation (lpr) mutation is a leaky mutation in Fas. By means of gene targeting, we generated a mouse strain which is completely deficient in Fas. In addition to the massive production of lymphocytes, the Fas-null mice showed substantial liver hyperplasia, which was accompanied by the enlargement of nuclei in hepatocytes. The Fas system seems to play a role in the apoptotic process to maintain homeostasis of the liver as well as the peripheral lymphoid organs.

Apoptosis by a cytosolic extract from Fas-activated cells

Fas is a type I membrane protein and its activation by binding of the Fas ligand or an agonistic anti-Fas antibody induces apoptosis in Fas-bearing cells. In this report we prepared lysates from cells treated with anti-Fas antibody. The lysates induced apoptotic morphological changes in nuclei from normal mouse liver, accompanied by DNA degradation. The apoptosis-inducing activity was quickly generated in cells by anti-Fas antibody and was found in the soluble cytosolic fraction. Induction of the activity in cells was inhibited by a tetrapeptide, acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone, a specific inhibitor of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme. Addition of COS cell lysates containing Bcl-2 to the assay significantly inhibited the apoptotic process, indicating that the in vitro process reflected apoptosis that occurs in intact cells.

New algorithmic-based digital filter processing system for real-time continuous blood pressure measurement and analysis in conscious rats

A new algorithmic-based digital filter processing system for real-time continuous blood pressure (BP) measurement and analysis in freely-moving conscious rats has been developed. Real-time recognition of BP waveforms, real-time noise rejection and determination of representative waveform indexes (WIs) at indicated time points using digital filters and Smirnov's rejection test were realized with this system. Digital filters were applied for two different purposes: waveform segmentation and smoothing the calculations of representative WIs. Smirnov's rejection test was used for real-time noise rejection and yielded an accurate rejection rate of 99.99%. The result was that the digital filter processing and Smirnov's rejection test realized accurate real-time BP measurement and analysis in freely-moving conscious rats using a personal computer.

Distinct signal transduction through the tyrosine-containing domains of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor

The receptor for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSFR) is a hemopoietic growth factor receptor, which mediates proliferation and differentiation signals. The cytoplasmic region of G-CSFR carries four tyrosine residues in its C-terminal half. We constructed mutant receptors in which each tyrosine residue of G-CSFR was mutated to phenylalanine. Two mutant receptors (Tyr703 and Tyr728) neither transduced the growth-inhibitory signal nor induced the neutrophil-specific myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene. The Tyr703 mutant did not induce morphological changes in cells, whereas transformants expressing the Tyr728 mutant adhered to plates with a macrophage-like morphology upon G-CSF stimulation. Mutation of the most distal tyrosine residue (Tyr763) abolished the ability of G-CSFR to stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of a cellular protein with an M(r) of 54 kDa. These results indicated that the regions around the three tyrosine residues of G-CSFR play essential and distinct roles in signal transduction.

Structure of the gene encoding the mouse pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor

The PACAP-R gene, encoding the mouse pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (PACAP-R), has been isolated and its structural organization has been determined. PACAP-R spans more than 50 kb and is divided into 18 exons. PACAP-R contains two alternative exons encoding the putative third intracellular loop, as found in the rat PACAP-R. The proximal promoter region is highly G+C rich and lacks an apparent TATA box, but contains a CCAAT box and two potential Sp1-binding sites.

Different modes of sensory neuropeptides and nitric oxide involvement in relaxation of guinea-pig vessels

This study investigated involvement of calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and nitric oxide (NO) in transmural nerve stimulation (TNS)-induced non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation in isolated guinea pig anterior mesenteric artery (AMA) and posterior caval vein (PCV). Effects of cyclo-oxygenase-generated eicosanoids were blocked with indomethacin (10(-5) M) and so were adrenergic and cholinergic responses with phentolamine (3 x 10(-6) M), propranolol (10(-6) M) and atropine (10(-6) M). In both vessels precontracted by U-46619, TNS induced relaxation, which was almost completely abolished by capsaicin pretreatment (10(-6) M, 15 minutes). In AMA, a CGRP1 receptor antagonist (human CGRP8-37, 10(-5) M) significantly attenuated the relaxation, while did both human CGRP8-37 (10(-5) M) and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (spantide, 2 x 10(-5) M and FK888, 3 x 10(-6) M) in PCV. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10(-4) M) did not significantly attenuate either the NANC-or CGRP-induced relaxation in AMA. However, it significantly did attenuate both the NANC-and SP-induced relaxation, and it also considerably attenuated CGRP-induced relaxation although insignificantly, in PCV. Thus, CGRP could be significantly responsible for the NO-independent NANC relaxation in AMA, whereas both CGRP and SP could additionally relax PCV in a NO-dependent manner.