Abstract: Aim The effects of intravenous injection of calcitonin gene - related peptide (CGRP) on mean arterial pressure and heart rate in rats were investigated. Methods Different doses o{ CGRP were injected intravenously into rats,and their effects on normal and adrenaline-induced increased arterial pressure and heart rate were observed. Effect of enalapril (1.5mg/kg i.v.) on adrenaline - in- duced increased arterial pressure was also observed. Results The results showed that CGRP re-duced mean arterial pressure significantly, and the effects were dose-related,but it had no effect on heart rate. Enalapril also significantly decreased the adrenaline-induced increased arterial pressure. Conclusion intravenous injection of CGRP into rats significantly decreased mean arterial pressure but had no obvious effect on heart rate.

Key words: Calcitonin gene - related peptide, Mean arterial pressure, Heart rate