Oxytocin and its receptors are synthesized in the rat vasculature.

摘要: Produced and released by the heart, oxytocin (OT) acts on its cardiac receptors to decrease rate force of contraction. We hypothesized that it might also be produced in vasculature regulate vascular tone. Consequently, we prepared acid extracts pulmonary artery vena cava male rats. OT concentrations dog sheep aortae were equivalent those rat aorta (2745 ± 180 pg/mg protein), indicating is present several mammalian species. Reverse-phase HPLC revealed a single peak corresponding amidated nonapeptide. Reverse-transcribed PCR confirmed synthesis these tissues. Using selective receptor ligand compound VI, detected high number OT-binding sites aorta. Furthermore, (OTR) mRNA was found cava, vein, with lower levels aorta, suggesting vessel-specific OTR distribution. The abundance vein associated atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA. In addition, have demonstrated diethylstilbestrol treatment immature female rats increased significantly but not augmented both (4-fold) (2-fold), implying regulation estrogen. Altogether, data suggest contains an intrinsic system, which may involved tone as well regrowth remodeling.