Nitric oxide modulates the calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced relaxation in guinea pig gallbladder strips in vitro.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induces a dose-dependent relaxation in cholecystokinin-induced tension in guinea pig gallbladder strips in vitro. This effect seems to be modulated, in part, via activation of the nonadrenergic noncholinergic nervous system. Blockers of nitric oxide synthesis significantly reduced the CGRP effect. Increases in nitric oxide (NO) after treatment with CGRP suggested the involvement of NO in the observed relaxation.