Concentrations of calcitonin gene-related peptide and neuropeptide Y in plasma increase during flushes in postmenopausal women

Objective: To assess whether the plasma concentrations of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), or neurokinin A (NKA) increase during hot flushes in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms. Design: Eight postmenopausal women (age range = 49-63 years) with vasomotor symptoms were included. During 1 day, repeated blood samples were taken between and during flushes; four samples were taken during each flush. The samples were analyzed for CGRP, NPY, and NKA using radioimmunoassay technique, Results: The serum concentrations of CGRP and NPY increased significantly-73% and 34%, respectively-during the flushes (p = 0.018; p = 0,028), whereas the concentrations of NKA did not change significantly. Conclusions: CGRP and NPY may be involved in the mechanisms that cause vasomotor symptoms. (Menopause 2000;7:25-30, (C) 2000, The North American Menopause Society.).