The central pressor actions of a novel tachykinin peptide, gamma-preprotachykinin-(72-92)-peptide amide.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of a novel tachykinin peptide, gamma-preprotachykinin-(72-92)-peptide amide (neuropeptide gamma, NP gamma), caused dose-dependent increases in blood pressure. The NP gamma-induced pressor responses (1 microgram i.c.v.) were blocked by peripheral administration of pentolinium (10 mg/kg i.v.) and phentolamine (10 mg/kg i.v.), but were not inhibited by a vasopressin antagonist. These results suggest that central NP gamma increases the blood pressure via sympathetic nerve activity.