Fibrinolysis inhibitors in plaque stability: a morphological association of PAI-1 and TAFI in advanced carotid plaque.

Essentials Fibrinolysis inhibitors are localized in advanced atheroma by immunohistology of endarterectomies. Neovascular endothelium/neocapillaries show thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Macrophage areas show free plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), notably in the vulnerable part. Free PAI-1 and TAFI stabilize active plaque area by inhibition of fibrinolysis and inflammation. SUMMARY: Background Fibrinolysis plays an important role in destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and is tightly regulated by specific inhibitors. Objective The fibrinolysis inhibitors plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) were quantified and described in the morphological context of advanced carotid plaques American Heart Association VI-VIII to elucidate their role in plaque stability. Methods Immunohistochemistry in serial sections along the longitudinal axis of endarterectomies from patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (n = 19) were studied using an antibody specific for free PAI-1 (I205), an antibody with high affinity for TAFI/TAFIa (CP17) and established antibodies for smooth muscle cells (α-actin), endothelial cells (von Willebrand factor [VWF]), macrophages (CD68) and platelets (CD42). Results PAI-1 and TAFI show a specific distribution in these advanced plaques with a maximum corresponding to the internal carotid artery (ICA). Free PAI-1 was mainly detected in macrophages and in intravascular thrombi, and TAFI in endothelial cells (ECs) but also macrophages. The one-way ANOVA analysis with Bonferroni's correction showed a significant increase of macrophages and ECs, TAFI and PAI-1 in areas with high neovascularization in endarterectomy sections corresponding to ICA. High Spearman factors for TAFI, PAI-1 and VWF indicate neovascularization as the main source of plasma proteins, transported by platelets into the atheroma (PAI-1) or expressed by ECs (TAFI). CD68 was highly associated with VWF, PAI-1 and especially TAFI, underlining the role of macrophages in fibrinolytic activity and inflammation. Conclusion The abundance of free PAI-1 and TAFI in the plaque may inhibit plasmin generation and thereby counteract plaque destabilization by fibrinolysis, cell migration and inflammation.

Improved KIR gene and HLA-C KIR ligand sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction genotyping using whole genome amplification.

Molecular analysis of genetic polymorphism for clinical or research purposes may be compromised by genomic DNA of limited quality and quantity. In this study, we have successfully tested the feasibility of using whole genome amplification (WGA) to allow genotyping for killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-C KIR ligand dimorphism on HLA-C. WGA was achieved by multiple displacement amplification (MDA) using bacteriophage phi29 polymerase. For KIR genotyping, a revised sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction protocol consisting of 23 primer pairs was used avoiding hitherto undetected cross-priming involving KIR2DL1, KIR2DS1, KIR3DL1 and KIR3DS1 alleles. Similarly, MDA-amplified genomic DNA was analyzed for the detection of the HLA-C KIR ligand groups C1 and C2, based on the amino acid K/N dimorphism in position 80.

Pancreatic peptide YY in alloxan diabetic mice.

Peptide YY (PYY) immunoreactive material was detected in the splenic and duodenal portions of the adult mouse pancreas, using immunocytochemical and immunochemical methods. Cells displaying PYY immunoreactivity generally occurred at the islet periphery. Double immunostaining enabled localization of PYY to a major subpopulation of the glucagon cells and to subpopulations of the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells and the somatostatin cells. In contrast, no PYY immunoreactivity occurred in the insulin cells. In alloxan-treated hyperglycemic mice, PYY immunoreactive cells were increased in number and distributed throughout the islets, in parallel with the glucagon, PP, and somatostatin cells. Analysis by radioimmunoassay indicated a significant increase in the concentration of pancreatic PYY after alloxan treatment in the splenic portion of the pancreas, but not in the duodenal portion. Pancreatic glucagon concentrations were not significantly changed. It is concluded that the islet content of PYY increases in alloxan diabetes, which might contribute to the accompanying alterations in islet function.

Peptide YY: a neuropeptide in the gut. Immunocytochemical and immunochemical evidence.

Peptide YY immunoreactivity was detected in neuronal elements in the upper digestive tract of the rat, cat, ferret and pig by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay combined with high-performance liquid chromatography. The two peptide YY antisera used do not recognize the related peptides neuropeptide Y and pancreatic polypeptide. In the rat peptide YY-immunoreactive nerve fibres were virtually restricted to the stomach smooth muscle of the minor curvature where they were numerous. Peptide YY-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies occurred in small ganglia on the serosal surface of the minor curvature. In the cat and ferret peptide YY-immunoreactive nerve fibres occurred in the circular smooth muscle layer of both the minor and major curvatures of the stomach and also in the upper small intestine; such fibres were numerous also in myenteric ganglia in these regions. In the pig, they were few but had roughly the same distribution as in the cat and ferret, except that they were quite numerous in thick muscle bundles close to the oesophagogastric junction. The presence of peptide YY-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies within the myenteric ganglia along the upper digestive tract of cat, ferret and pig, and in serosal ganglia of the rat stomach, indicates that at least some of the peptide YY-immunoreactive fibres demonstrated originate in or close to the gut wall. Double-staining experiments revealed that virtually all peptide YY-containing neurons and nerve fibres were distinct from those storing neuropeptide Y. Peptide YY-immunoreactive endocrine cells were encountered not only in the lower intestines but also in the stomach of the four species studied. In the antrum such cells were numerous and constituted a subpopulation of the gastrin-containing cells. In the oxyntic mucosa they were few and contained somatostatin. Radioimmunoassay revealed peptide YY-like peptides in gastric mucosa and smooth muscle from the upper digestive tract of all four species examined. The results of high-performance liquid chromatography suggest that the peptide YY-like material in the upper digestive tract is distinct from neuropeptide Y and pancreatic polypeptide and identical with authentic peptide YY except in the antral mucosa where only a small proportion of the peptide YY-immunoreactive material eluted like authentic peptide YY.

Peptide YY in the mammalian pancreas: immunocytochemical localization and immunochemical characterization.

Peptide YY (PYY) was demonstrated by immunochemical and/or immunocytochemical methods in endocrine cells in the pancreas of adult mice, rats, guinea-pigs, cats, dogs, pigs and cows. In the pancreas of mouse and rat, immunoreactive PYY was observed in a major subpopulation of the glucagon cells (splenic lobe of the pancreas); immunoreactive PYY also occurred in a subpopulation of the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells (duodenal lobe), and in a few extra-insular endocrine cells dispersed throughout the pancreatic parenchyma. In the pancreas of cat, dog and pig immunoreactive PYY was found to coexist with PP, but not with glucagon. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) revealed PYY-like material in extracts of pancreas (and colon) of all the species examined. The highest concentrations were found in the pancreas of cat and mouse; moderate amounts were found in the rat and only small amounts were detected in guinea-pig and pig. The concentrations in the pancreas were uniformly much lower than those in the colon. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the PYY-immunoreactive material from pancreas (and rat colon) had an elution profile very similar to that of synthetic PYY, and distinct from that of PP and neuropeptide Y.

Presence of galanin in human pancreatic nerves and inhibition of insulin secretion from isolated human islets.

In several animal species, galanin occurs in pancreatic nerves and inhibits insulin secretion. However, the presence and action of galanin in the human pancreas have not been established. Therefore, we examined the presence and nature of human pancreatic galanin-like immunoreactive material (GLIR) and the effects of galanin on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated human islets. Immunofluorescent staining of human pancreas revealed GLIR in fine varicose fibers in both islets and exocrine parenchyma. Furthermore, acid extracts of pancreas (n = 3) and isolated islets (n = 3) contained 0.17 +/- 0.06 and 0.23 +/- 0.11 pmol GLIR/mg protein. Human pancreatic GLIR coeluted with synthetic porcine galanin from Sephadex G-50. Moreover, synthetic porcine galanin inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from collagenase-isolated human islets at dose rates greater than 10(-8) M. Thus, (1) human pancreas is innervated by galanin-containing nerves, (2) human pancreatic GLIR is of similar size as synthetic porcine galanin, and (3) porcine galanin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from human islets. Therefore, galanin could be an important local regulator of insulin secretion in man.

GLP-1 and GLP-1(7-36) amide: influences on basal and stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion in the mouse.

We studied the cellular distribution of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the pancreas and gut and the effects of GLP-1 and its truncated form, GLP-1(7-36) amide, on basal and stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion in the mouse. Immunofluorescence staining showed that GLP-1 immunoreactivity occurred within peripheral islet cells and in cells located mainly distally in the small intestine and in the entire large intestine. Double-immunostaining revealed that the GLP-1-immunoreactive cells were identical to the glucagon/glicentin cells. Experiments in vivo revealed that basal insulin secretion was stimulated by GLP-1(7-36) amide at the dose levels of 8 and 32 nmol/kg, and by GLP-1 at 32 nmol/kg. Furthermore, GLP-1(7-36) amide showed additive stimulatory influence with glucose (2.8 mmol/kg), the cholinergic agonist carbachol (0.16 mumol/kg), and the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8, 5.3 nmol/kg), when injected at 8 or 32 nmol/kg. In contrast, stimulated insulin secretion was unaffected by GLP-1. Moreover, the glucagon secretory responses to carbachol and CCK-8 were inhibited by GLP-1(7-36) amide but were unaffected by the entire GLP-1. We conclude that GLP-1(7-36) has the potential for being a modulator of islet hormone secretion.

Localization and peptide content of endocrine pancreatic tumors.

Endocrine pancreatic tumors contain and frequently secret neurohormonal peptides. This phenomenon can be used as a diagnostic and classifying tool. This study analyzes 31 patients operated on because of an endocrine pancreatic tumor, including the diagnostic procedures and the localization methods. In 15 insulinoma cases only 6 patients had a positive arteriography, while all 11 selective pancreatic vein samplings were positive. The immunoreactivity showed that, besides insulin, most tumors also contained other peptides. Of four gastrinoma cases the arteriography was positive in three, but the selective vein sampling localized the tumor in all. The tumor's content of peptides showed mixed patterns. In the four glucagonomas, the arteriography was positive in all and the venous sampling performed in three of the cases also was positive. In five pancreatic polypeptide-containing tumors (PP-omas) the arteriography was positive in four and sampling performed in two was positive in both. In the PP-omas the peptide pattern showed that these tumors frequently contain several peptides. We used selective pancreatic vein sampling in 21 cases with positive result in all. In the cases in which arteriography was negative, the sampling results helped the surgeon to find the tumor. The peptide pattern in the tumors varied greatly and most tumors were multihormonal.

Pancreatic function in the essential fatty acid deficient rat.

The influence of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency on pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function was studied in 120-day-old rats. The plasma insulin response was determined after in vivo administration of glucose and arginine. The plasma glucagon response was assessed after infusion of arginine. Islet peptides were examined by immunocytochemistry. The exocrine function of pancreas was studied by amylase secretion in isolated pancreatic acinar cells after stimulation with the cholinergic agonist carbacholine chloride. The EFA-deficient (EFAD) rats showed higher basal plasma insulin concentrations and lower basal glucose levels than control rats (P less than .01 and P less than .01, respectively). The plasma insulin response to glucose was potentiated in the EFAD rats (P less than .001). Both insulin and glucagon responses to arginine were normal. The isolated pancreatic acinar cells showed a low basal amylase secretion, but a normal response to carbacholine chloride. There were no overt morphological changes seen in the pancreas and the immunocytochemical staining pattern of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide cells did not differ from controls. The results of the study show that the secretory function of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas is operational in EFA deficiency. The EFA deficiency was accompanied by a basal hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia and an exaggerated insulin response to glucose, the pathophysiology of which has to be further studied.

Galanin is co-localized with noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y in dog pancreas and celiac ganglion.

To visualize the localization and potential co-localization of noradrenaline and the putative pancreatic sympathetic neurotransmitters, galanin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), immunofluorescent staining for galanin, NPY and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was performed on sections of canine pancreas and celiac ganglion. In the pancreas, galanin-immuno-fluorescent nerve fibers were confirmed as densely and preferentially innervating the islets, whereas numerous NPY-positive nerve fibers were found in the exocrine parenchyma, the surrounding of the blood vessels and within the islets. Double-staining for the peptides and TH indicated that most galanin-positive nerve fibers were adrenergic, most NPY-positive nerve fibers were adrenergic, and many islet nerves contained both galanin and NPY, although some galanin-positive nerve fibers appeared to lack NPY. In the celiac ganglion, virtually all cell bodies were positive for both galanin and TH; a large subpopulation of these cells were also positive for NPY. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) of galanin in extracts of dog celiac ganglion revealed a very high content (256 +/- 33 pmol/g wet weight) of galanin-like immunoreactivity (GLIR), consistent with the dense staining observed. This GLIR behaved in a similar manner to synthetic porcine galanin in the RIA. In addition, the majority of the GLIR in ganglion extracts co-eluted with the synthetic peptide upon gel filtration, although a minor peak of a larger apparent molecular weight was also observed, observations consistent with the presence of a precursor peptide. These findings suggest that galanin is a sympathetic post-ganglionic neurotransmitter in the canine endocrine pancreas and that NPY might serve a similar function.

Galanin in the porcine pancreas.

Galanin, a 29 amino acid neuropeptide, was recently isolated from pig intestine. We studied the localization, nature and effect of galanin in pig pancreas. Galanin immunoreactive nerve fibers were regularly found in the pancreas. A peptide chromatographically similar to synthetic galanin was identified in pancreas extracts. The effect of galanin on the endocrine and exocrine secretion was studied in isolated pancreases, perfused with a synthetic medium containing 3.5, 5 or 8 mmol/l glucose and synthetic galanin (10(-10)-10(-8) mol/l). There was no effect on the basal exocrine secretion. The output of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) was measured in the effluent. There was no effect on PP secretion. At a perfusate glucose concentration of 5 mmol/l, galanin at 10(-9) mol/l increased insulin secretion by 55 +/- 14% (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 5) of basal secretion, and at 10(-8) mol/l by 58 +/- 27% (n = 6). At 8 mmol/l glucose, insulin secretion increased by 25 +/- 10% (n = 6) and 62 +/- 17% (n = 8). At 5 mmol/l glucose glucagon secretion was increased by 15 +/- 3% (n = 5) by galanin at 10(-9) mol/l and by 29 +/- 11% (n = 5) by galanin at 10(-8) mol/l, and at 8 mmol/l glucose by 66 +/- 27% and 41 +/- 25%. Somatostatin secretion was inhibited to 72 +/- 2% (n = 5) of basal secretion by galanin at 10(-9) mol/l and to 65 +/- 7% (n = 7) at galanin at 10(-8) mol/l, both at 5 mmol/l glucose. At 8 mmol/l the figures were 83 +/- 6% and 70 +/- 10%. Insulin secretion in response to square wave increases in glucose concentration from 3.5 to 11 mmol/l (n = 5) increased 2-fold during simultaneous perfusion with galanin (10(-8) mol/l).

Calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and gastrin-releasing peptide in familial thyroid medullary carcinoma.

We examined immunocytochemically the occurrence of the three peptides calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. We also sought to determine whether the plasma levels of these peptides were increased when stimulated with calcium and pentagastrin in familial medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT). The tumor tissue from all 17 cases examined was found to exhibit calcitonin and CGRP immunoreactivity, and in 15 of the 17 cases the tumor tissue also contained GRP immunoreactivity. In 7 of the cases selected at random, an intravenous injection of calcium carbonate (2 mg/kg body weight) and pentagastrin (0.6 microgram/kg body weight) produced marked elevation in plasma levels of calcitonin but did not significantly alter the plasma levels of CGRP or GRP. We conclude that most MCT tumors contain CGRP and GRP immunoreactive cells but that the plasma levels of CGRP and GRP are not altered on stimulation. This finding is clearly in contrast to the markedly elevated calcitonin levels. Hence, determination of plasma calcitonin levels still seems to be the most appropriate diagnostic test for MCT.

Cysteamine and the endocrine pancreas: immunocytochemical, immunochemical, and functional aspects.

To evaluate the previously reported depletion of pancreatic somatostatin by cysteamine (beta-mercaptoethylamine), mice were injected subcutaneously with the drug at 300 mg/kg. Immunocytochemical analysis performed on sections from tissue taken at 4 h after the injection revealed an elimination of somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity without alterations in the somatostatin-28(1-12)-like immunoreactivity. In sections from tissues taken at 24 h after injection, no differences between cysteamine-injected animals and controls were observed. Immunochemical analysis of somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity in pancreatic extracts showed a significant reduction of the concentration (P less than 0.001). In contrast, no change in the insulin concentration was observed. Functionally, cysteamine lowered the plasma glucose levels at 1 h after injection; this effect persisted for 6 h. Plasma insulin levels were likewise reduced transiently by cysteamine. Concomitant administration of somatostatin did not influence these effects of cysteamine. The plasma glucose-lowering effect of cysteamine was seen also in alloxan-diabetic mice. We conclude that cysteamine alters the immunoreactive characteristics of pancreatic somatostatin without affecting the immunoreactivity of insulin, and that cysteamine transiently reduces plasma glucose and insulin levels.

Helodermin-like peptides in thyroid C cells: stimulation of thyroid hormone secretion and suppression of calcium incorporation into bone.

Helodermin is a vasoactive intestinal peptide-like peptide in the salivary gland venom of the lizard Heloderma suspectum. Helodermin-like immunofluorescence was observed in the parafollicular (C) cells in several mammals and in the C cell homologues of the chicken ultimobranchial gland. Thus, helodermin-like peptides coexist with calcitonin. The results of radioimmunoassay agreed with the immunocytochemical findings. HPLC of rat thyroid extracts revealed one major peak of helodermin-like immunoreactivity, which eluted in a position close to that of lizard helodermin. Helodermin stimulated basal thyroid hormone secretion and colloid droplet formation in conscious mice. The effect of large doses of helodermin was quite long-lasting and the maximal response occurred after 2-6 hr. In addition, helodermin suppressed the incorporation of calcium into bone in conscious rats. The findings suggest that helodermin-like peptides in C cells may be involved in the local regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis.

Peptide YY: intrapancreatic localization and effects on insulin and glucagon secretion in the mouse.

We studied the intrapancreatic localization of peptide YY (PYY) and the effects of PYY on insulin and glucagon secretion in the mouse. Immunofluorescence staining of mouse pancreatic tissue showed that PYY occurred within islet cells. These cells were located preferentially at the periphery of the islets. Sequential and simultaneous double immunostaining revealed that most PYY cells also displayed glucagon immunoreactivity; some PYY cells contained immunoreactive pancreatic polypeptide (PP). At the electromicroscopic level, PYY immunoreactivity was demonstrated within the secretory granules of both glucagon cells and of a small granular cell type, which showed structural similarities to PP cells. In in vivo experiments, PYY at dose levels between 0.53 and 8.5 nmol/kg had no influence on basal plasma levels of insulin, glucagon, or glucose. In contrast, insulin secretion stimulated by glucose or the cholinergic agonist carbachol was inhibited by PYY (by 33 and 26%, respectively, at 4.25 nmol/kg). Similarly, carbachol-induced glucagon secretion was inhibited by PYY (by 47% at 4.25 nmol/kg). We conclude that PYY occurs in islet cells of the mouse pancreas, most of which are glucagon cells, and that PYY inhibits stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion in vivo in the mouse.

The neuroendocrine system of the gut.

The digestive tract is the richest source of regulatory peptides outside the brain. Such peptides occur all along the gut in the neuroendocrine system which is composed of endocrine/paracrine cells disseminated in the epithelium and of intrinsic neurons that form continuous ganglionic chains in the submucosa and in the muscle layer. Some endocrine/paracrine cells, particularly in the stomach, still have not been associated with an identified regulatory peptide implying that our present knowledge is far from complete. The intracellular processing of regulatory peptide precursors involves multi-step proteolytic cleavage generating several fragments. In many instances more than one biologically active peptide is generated from one and the same precursor. In addition, certain endocrine/paracrine cells and neurons have been found to produce more than one peptide precursor and some are known to harbour 'classical' neurotransmitters, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and GABA as well as regulatory peptides. Key questions for the future are the functional significance of the coexistence of multiple messengers within the same cells and the details of how the endocrine/paracrine cells and the neurons in the gut interact.

Effects of long-term hypergastrinaemia on the ultrastructure of enterochromaffin-like cells in the stomach of the rat, hamster and guinea pig.

The present report describes the ultrastructure of the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the stomach of the rat, hamster and guinea pig, and the ultrastructural consequences of long-term hypergastrinaemia evoked either by continuous infusion of synthetic human (Leu15)-gastrin-17 for 4 weeks (rats) or by daily treatment with large doses of the antisecretory agent omeprazole for 2-10 weeks (rats, hamsters and guinea pigs). As a result, the ECL cells increased greatly in size (maximal effect after 2 weeks of omeprazole treatment, no further gain in size after 4 or 10 weeks). Also the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi area were enlarged. The most conspicuous feature of the ECL cells is the cytoplasmic vesicles, which are of varying size and either devoid of a dense core or with a small, often eccentrically located dense core. The vesicles probably represent the main storage site of the secretory products of the ECL cell. In addition, the cytoplasm contains granules, which differ from the vesicles in that they possess a more or less electron-dense core, surrounded by a narrow halo. The size of the vesicles ranged from small to very large, while the granules were uniformly small. Many vesicles were seen to lie very close together, some displaying an irregular outline (vacuole-like vesicles), at times giving the impression that they were undergoing fusion. The profile size (median value) of the vesicles was unaffected by gastrin infusion for 4 weeks. However, there was a tendency to a relative increase in the number of very small vesicles. In contrast, the vesicles became larger during the omeprazole treatment. Also, the number of vesicles that seemed to be engaged in fusion increased after omeprazole treatment but not after gastrin infusion. The observations support the view that ECL cells are influenced by gastrin. The effects of gastrin infusion and of omeprazole treatment on ECL cell ultrastructure were not completely identical. It cannot be excluded that the omeprazole-evoked achlorhydria evokes effects unrelated to those of hypergastrinaemia on the ECL cells, or that endogenous gastrins may evoke effects that are in some ways distinct from those of synthetic human (Leu15)-gastrin-17. Alternatively, the additional effects seen after long-term omeprazole treatment may reflect simply the duration of the hypergastrinaemic stimulus.

The presence and actions of NPY in the canine endocrine pancreas.

Immunofluorescent staining for neuropeptide Y (NPY) in canine pancreatic tissue was performed together with an evaluation of the effects of synthetic NPY on the release of insulin (IRI), glucagon (IRG) and somatostatin (SLI) from the duodenal lobe of the canine pancreas in situ. NPY-like immunoreactivity was localized in perivascular nerve fibers throughout the acinar tissue. NPY-immunoreactive fibers were also demonstrated in the islets, usually surrounding blood vessels but also occasionally in fibers associated with endocrine cells, primarily at the periphery of islets. In addition, the ganglia dispersed in the pancreatic parenchyma were densely innervated by NPY-immunoreactive fibers, and these ganglia regularly contained cell bodies staining for NPY. Direct infusion of NPY into the pancreatic artery (p.a.) produced a dose-dependent decrease of pancreatic SLI output and of pancreatic venous blood flow. Low-dose p.a. infusion of NPY (50 pmol/min) had no effect on basal IRI or IRG output or on the islet response to glucose (5-g bolus, i.v.). High-dose p.a. infusion of NPY (500 pmol/min) transiently stimulated IRI output and modestly increased IRG output. However, the comparatively sparse innervation of canine islets with NPY-like immunoreactive fibers and the relatively minor effects of large doses of synthetic NPY on pancreatic hormone release lead us to conclude that this peptide is not an important neuromodulator of islet function in the dog.