Regulation of the cardiovascular system by non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerves

The control of the cardiovascular system is now known to involve a diversity of both humoral and neuronal mechanisms. With the advancement of immunohistochemical, electrophysiological and microscopy techniques it has become clear that the nervous control of the cardiovascular system comprises several transmitters other than the classical autonomic neurotransmitters. These non-adrenergic non-cholinergic transmitters include substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and nitric oxide. These particular substances play important roles in the control of vascular tone and altered activity of these mediators:: contribute to several cardiovascular disease states. In the light of this there is considerable interest in exploiting these mediators as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.