Analysis of crosstalk between the central nervous system and peripheral organs involving galanin-like peptide(GALP)

甘丙肽（Galanin-like peptide，GALP）是一种与摄食行为和能量代谢有关的神经肽。GALP产生于下丘脑弓状核。GALP也存在于循环中。我们假设中枢神经系统（CNS）和外周器官之间存在联系。为了验证我们的假设，我们用RT-PCR检测了几个器官中GALP mRNA的表达，并用电生理技术测量了GALP静脉注射后自主神经系统的神经元活动。结果表明，GALP mRNA在许多器官中均有表达。此外，我们发现GALP激活传出交感神经。迷走神经切断可阻断GALP的激活。GALP抑制传入和传出迷走神经。这些结果表明，循环中的GALP通过迷走神经传入将信息传递到中枢神经系统，然后调节中枢神经系统中自主神经的输出。

Galanin-like peptide(GALP) is a neuropeptide related to feeding behavior and energy metabolism. GALP is produced in the hypothalamus arcuate nucleus. GALP also is present in the circulation. We hypothesized a linkage between the central nervous system(CNS) and peripheral organs. In order to demonstrate our hypothesis, we identified GALP mRNA expression in the several organs using RT-PCR, and measured neuronal activities of autonomic nervous system after GALP intravenous injection using electrophysiological techniques. We found that GALP mRNA expressed in the many organs. In addition, we found that GALP activated efferent sympathetic nerve. Vagotomy blocked the activation by GALP. GALP suppressed both afferent and efferent vagus nerves. These results suggest that GALP in circulation sends information to the CNS through vagal afferents and then regulates outputs of autonomic nerves in the CNS.