[Effects of nitroglycerin on plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide and endothelin in congestive heart failure].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and endothelin (ET) levels and the effects of nitroglycerin on CGRP and ET in congestive heart failure (CHF), and to make clear the mechanism of nitroglycerin in vasodilation and cardiac protection.

METHODS

The fast blood samples were taken from the peripheral vein of 40 volunteers and 40 CHF patients to estimate the basal level of CGRP and ET. Infusion of nitroglycerin of 25 to 50 micrograms/min started in the forearm vein of CHF patients. Blood samples were taken at the end of the 1 hour infusion and (12 +/- 2) days of nitroglycerin treatment. Plasma concentrations of CGRP and ET were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

In patients with CHF before the treatment, the plasma concentration of CGRP was significantly lower than that in the controls (P < 0.001), but the concentration of ET significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.001). During the nitroglycerin treatment, the plasma concentration of CGRP significantly increased (P < 0.001), whereas the concentration of ET significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The mean arterial pressure significantly decreased (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Nitroglycerin can increase the peripheral plasma CGRP level and decrease the concentration of ET when treating CHF. Intravenous nitroglycerin may be beneficial to the improvement of abnormal haemodynamics and neurohormonal derangement.