Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
Volume 160, Number 5, November 1999, 1724-1728
Functional Effects of Neuropeptide Y Receptors on
Blood Flow and Nitric Oxide Levels in the Human Nose
ANDERS
CERVIN,
JENNY
ÖNNERFÄLT,
LARS
EDVINSSON,
and
LARS
GRUNDEMAR
Departments of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Clinical Pharmacology,
Lund University, Lund, Sweden
The aim of this study was to examine dose-dependent effects of intranasal application of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on nasal mucosal blood flow, blood content, and intranasal nitric oxide (NO) concentration. Blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and blood content by rhinomanometry. Mucosal biopsies were taken for investigation of Y1 and Y2 receptor mRNA expression,
using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Intranasal application of NPY
evoked a dose-dependent reduction of nasal mucosal blood flow. Maximal vasoconstriction, seen at
12 nmol, was 
37.5 ± 6.2%, p < 0.05 (n = 9). The vasoconstrictive effect developed within 2 to 4 min and lasted > 17 min. NPY evoked a dose-dependent reduction of nasal airway resistance (NAR) on
the ipsilateral side. Maximal decrease was 24.0 ± 10.0% at 12 nmol, p < 0.05 (n = 9). There was
a decrease in nasal NO production on the ipsilateral side after application of NPY 12 nmol (7.4 ± 1.2%, p < 0.05, n = 8). RT-PCR products corresponding to Y1 receptor but not Y2 receptor mRNA
were obtained from biopsies of the nasal mucosa. In conclusion, NPY is a potent vasoconstrictor in
the human nose reducing mucosal blood flow, as well as the blood content. The effect is probably mediated via Y1 receptors. NPY receptor agonists may prove beneficial in the treatment of the congested nose in allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. Cervin A, Önnerfält J, Edvinsson L, Grundemar L. Functional effects of neuropeptide Y receptors on blood flow and nitric oxide levels in the
human nose.
