Unmasking the vasoconstrictor response to neuropeptide Y and its interaction with vasodilating agents in vitro
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a powerful vasoconstrictor in vivo but is usually much less active on isolated blood vessels. The contractile effect of NPY was examined in the isolated rat femoral artery exposed to various degrees of vasoconstriction. The effects of NPY on the relaxation induced by vasodilator agents was also studied. NPY (< or = 1 microM) had no contractile effect. In vessels pretreated
