Neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor-mediated attenuation of neurogenic plasma extravasation acting through pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanisms.

1. The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor agonists (administered intravenously) were examined on plasma protein ([125I]-bovine serum albumin) leakage within dura mater evoked by unilateral trigeminal ganglion stimulation (0.6 mA, 5 ms, 5 Hz, 5 min), capsaicin (1 mumol kg-1, i.v.) or substance P (1 nmol kg-1, i.v.) in anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. NPY (EC50: 5.6 nmol kg-1) and NPY fragment 13-36 [NPY (13-36)] (ED50: 4.3 nmol kg-1), an NPY Y2 receptor agonist, dose-dependently attenuated [125I]-bovine serum albumin extravasation from meningeal vessels when administered 10 min prior to electrical stimulation. [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY, an NPY Y1 and Y3 receptor agonist, inhibited the response at a higher dose only (23 nmol kg-1) (P < 0.05). 3. NPY also significantly decreased plasma protein extravasation induced by capsaicin (1 mumol kg-1) but not by substance P (1 nmol kg-1). 4. Pertussis toxin (20 micrograms kg-1, administered intracisternally 48 h prior to stimulation) blocked completely the inhibitory effect of NPY and NPY (13-36) but did not inhibit extravasation alone. 5. We conclude that NPY inhibits neurogenically-mediated plasma protein extravasation acting through presynaptic pertussis toxin-sensitive NPY Y2 receptors, possibly by inhibition of neuropeptide release from perivascular trigeminovascular afferents.