Vasoactive peptides

Biological function and chemistry of endothelin, vasoactive peptide with macro-cyclic fragments formed by disulfide bridges between cysteine residues 99CCC1211. 

Vasoactive Peptides. More recent studies show a beneficial effect of vasopressin which should be evaluated further in clinical trials [58]. 

The triptans are considered specific therapies in that they target the pathophysiology underlying migraine.33 They abort headache through beneficial effects on neuronal imbalances.11 Triptans inhibit neurotransmission in the trigeminal complex and activate serotonin lb/Id pathways that modulate nociception in the brain stem. They also decrease the release of vasoactive peptides leading to vascular reactivity and pain.34 Triptans are a welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarium in that they are available in intranasal, subcutaneous, and oral... 

Reid, I.A., Vasoactive peptides, in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 8th ed., Katzung, B.G., Ed., Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001, chap. 17. 

In their initial studies on the effects of vasoactive peptides on mast-cell secretion, Johnson and Erdos [31] concluded that the ability of peptides to elicit a secretory response from mast cells depended upon the number of basic groups a peptide contained, and not on the structure of the N-terminal or C-terminal amino acids per se. They found, for example, that Polistes kinin, with... 

Membrane alanyl aminopeptidase (microsomal aminopeptidase, amino-peptidase M, EC 3.4.11.2) and peptidyl-dipeptidase A (angiotensin I converting enzyme, EC 3.4.15.1) located in the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cell surface modulate the levels of vasoactive peptides [23], One of the roles of membrane-bound enzymes is to switch off the action of peptides in the vicinity of the target or to prevent them from gaining access to a region containing receptors that are activated only by locally released peptides. 

F. E. Palmieri, H. H. Bausback, P. E. Ward, Metabolism of Vasoactive Peptides by Vascular Endothebum and Smooth Muscle Aminopeptidase M , Biochem. Pharmacol. 1989, 38, 173-180. 

Preliminary information useful in prodrug design has been obtained with amino acids attached to model aromatic amines. Thus, N-(naphthalen-2-yl) amides of amino acids (6.1, R=side chain of amino acid, R =H) proved to be of interest as test compounds to monitor peptidase activity such as ami-nopeptidase M (membrane alanyl aminopeptidase, microsomal aminopepti-dase, EC 3.4.11.2) [16][17], In the presence of purified rabbit kidney aminopeptidase M or human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aminopeptidase activity, the rate of hydrolysis decreased in the order Ala-> Leu->Arg->Glu-2-naphthyl-amide. Ala-2-naphthylamide, in particular, proved to be a good test compound, as its rate of hydrolysis was influenced by experimental conditions (preparation, inhibitors, etc.), as was the hydrolysis of a number of low-molecular-weight opioid peptides and circulating vasoactive peptides. 

P. E. Ward, I. F. Benter, L. Dick, S. Wilk, Metabolism of Vasoactive Peptides by Plasma and Purified Renal Aminopeptidase M Biochem. Pharmacol. 1990, 40, 1725 — 1732. 

The kallikrein-kinin system is an enzymatic pathway giving rise to two predominant vasoactive peptides, kallidin and bradykinin. Kallikrein, the enzyme responsible for the formation of these peptides, exists in plasma and tissues. However, circulating levels of the end products, kalhdin and bradykinin, are quite low because the kalhkrein enzymes are present largely in inactive forms. In addition, the short half-life of these peptides (15 seconds) also contributes to low plasma levels. In general, the kinins produce relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and vasodilation. Bradykinin causes... 

Endothelins are a family of vasoactive peptides secreted by endothelial cells. The three major endothelin peptides are all composed of 21 amino acids. Endothelins are the most potent vasoconstrictors known. Contraction of vascular smooth muscle in response to endothelin is associated with an increase in intracellular calcium. Increases in endothelin levels have been reported in patients with vasospastic, hypoxic, and ischemic diseases. The two identified isoforms of endothelin receptors have differing affinity for the three endothelin peptides. Selective and nonselective endothelin receptor antagonists are in development for potential use in the treatment of hypertension and other disorders associated with increased vascular resistance. 

Phentolamine has been used in combination with papaverine, chlorpromazine, and vasoactive peptides in the treatment of ED. 

Basic and Clinical Pharmacology > Chapter 17. Vasoactive Peptides > ... 

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