Immunoreactive neuropeptide Y (NPY) in plasma and platelets of rat and mouse strains and human volunteers.

Immunoreactive-neuropeptide Y (i-NPY) is present in platelets of rats, and has recently been demonstrated to be authentic rat NPY based on its amino acid sequence. This potent vasoconstrictor and putative smooth muscle mitogen is released during platelet activation, suggesting a role in platelet-vascular interactions. We have now extended this work to several strains of rats and mice, and humans of both sexes. Among mice, strains in which NPY mRNA has been demonstrated in megakaryocytes have markedly higher levels of i-NPY (0.63-1.11 pmol/ml in NZB/B1NJ, NZBWF1/J, BXSB/MpJYaa, BALB/cJ) in platelet rich plasma (PRP) than other strains (DBA/2J, CBA/J, C3H/HeJ, MRL/MpJ-lpr, C57BL/6J; each < 0.02 pmol/ml). In rats, high content of i-NPY was observed in PRP and platelets of all strains examined (Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Wistar Kyoto). i-NPY level was 30.6, 3.7 and 10.1 pmol/ml in PRP of the three strains, respectively. In humans, low levels of i-NPY occur in plasma and platelet fractions compared to rodents (0.069 and 0.048 pmol/ml in male and female PRP, respectively), but they, too, have greater i-NPY in platelet rich plasma and platelets than in platelet poor plasma. Assuming this is authentic NPY, platelet-derived NPY might have a role in pathophysiological states involving activation of platelets in humans.