CGRPergic Nerve TRPA1 Channels Contribute to Epigallocatechin Gallate-Induced Neurogenic Vasodilation.

Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), promotes vasodilation and reduces blood pressure, mechanisms of which are not fully resolved. Recent reports suggested that EGCG can activate heterologously expressed mouse and zebrafish TRPA1 channels. Activation of TRPA1 in sensory neurons triggers the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator. Whether CGRP-containing (CGRPergic) sensory nerves contribute to EGCG-induced reduction in vascular resistance remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that intravenous infusion of EGCG elevated the plasma level of CGRP in mice, an effect that was attenuated by TRPA1 channel blocker A-967079. EGCG-induced increase in mesenteric artery blood flow and reduction in mean arterial pressure were reversed by A-967079, CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP8-37, and CGRP depletion in perivascular nerves. Moreover, EGCG stimulated TRPA1-dependent intracellular Ca2+ elevation and CGRP release in a differentiated rat embryonic dorsal root ganglion/mouse neuroblastoma hybrid cell line. Together, these data suggest that EGCG-induced activation of TRPA1 channels in perivascular CGRPergic nerves decreases vascular resistance via Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of CGRP.