There is much more evidence suggesting very close cooperation between nervous and immune systems. This cooperation is regulated by soluble factors released by the cells of both systems: cytokines and neuropeptides. Classical neuropeptides can be released by cells of the immune system, whereas a variety of cytokines produced by cells of the immune system are synthesized and released by nervous tissue and endocrine glands too. Specific receptors for these moleculary different families of soluble factors are present on both the immune and nervous systems cells.
Galanin (GAL) a 29 amino-acid peptide, is distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system, the pituitary gland the gastrointestinal tract and also in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. The endogenous and exogenous effects of galanin are mediated by three receptor subtypes, which are termed: GALR1, GALR2, GALR3. Galanin has a significant role in physiological and pathological processes (acromegally, diarhoea, collitis, Alzheimer?s disease, oberitas depression, pituitary gland adenomas) in a human body and animals. It has an ability to contract smooth muscles in gastrointestinal tract, stimulates reflexes in the central nervous system, decreases pancreatic amylase, release changes transport of elektrolytes Na+ and Cl-, exerts tonic inhibition of nociceptive input to the central nervous system, stimulates glucagon release, inhibits insulin and somatostatin release, takes part in prolactin secretion, stimulates growth hormone ? releasing hormone, hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone and corticotropinreleasing hormone. It causes increase of somatotropin secretion,foliculotropin and luteinizing hormone release and adrenocorticotropin secretion.
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