Neuropeptides of the vasoactive intestinal peptide/helodermin/pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide family elevate plasma cAMP in mice: comparison with a range of other regulatory peptides.

A number of regulatory peptides were investigated for their ability to elevate plasma cAMP. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP)-27, PACAP-38, helodermin, helospectin I and II, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), glucagon, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide were among the peptides that were highly effective in raising plasma cAMP when given intravenously in equimolar doses to conscious mice. PACAP-27 and -38 were more effective than any of the other peptides. PACAP 16-38, secretin, gastrin-17, galanin, somatostatin, cholecystokinin-8s, pancreatic polypeptide, substance P, peptide YY and neuropeptide Y were inactive and also did not interfere with the PACAP-27-evoked rise in plasma cAMP levels. Repeated injections of PACAP-27 every 30 min caused a progressive reduction in the plasma cAMP response (measured 5 min after each injection). Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, dose-dependently raised the plasma concentration of cAMP and displayed a synergistic effect when given in a low dose concurrently with PTH or PACAP-38. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram dose-dependently raised the plasma concentration of cAMP. Combined treatment with PACAP-27 and a threshold dose of rolipram resulted in an exaggerated plasma cAMP response. Kidney hilus ligation suppressed the responses to PACAP-38, PTH, helodermin, helospectin, VIP, glucagon and calcitonin. Hepatectomy suppressed the response to glucagon but was without effect on the response to the other peptides. Pancreatectomy and spleenectomy reduced the response to VIP, but was without effect on the response to the other peptides. PACAP-27 stimulated cAMP efflux from the isolated rat tail vein. Hence, it cannot be excluded that blood vessels contribute to the peptide evoked plasma cAMP response in vivo.