[Study on neuropeptide Y-containing innervation of cerebral small arteries and arterioles in spontaneously hypertensive rat].

To comprehend the relationship between the distribution of perivascular neuropeptides and remodified structure of arterioles in hypertension, we applied the technique of sheeting from pia matter of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to reveal branches at all levels of the vascular network so as to make an overall and stereoscopic observation of the vasculature. In addition, immunohistochemical technique and image analyser were applied to analyse qualitatively and quantitatively neuropeptide Y(NPY)-containing innervation in the vasculature. Findings revealed that the surface density of NPY-containing innervation and integral luminous density of positive reaction particle for anti-NPY in middle cerebral artery and its branches -small arteries and arterioles of SHR were significantly increased as compared with findings in Wistar Kyoto. The results reveal that an increase in density of NPY-containing innervation of cerebral small arteries and arterioles intensifies action of nutritive adjustment of vascular smooth muscle and is clearly related with increase of contractive excitability of artery, hypertrophy of artery, smooth muscle cells and the development of hypertension.