Neuropeptides-A Review

Neuropeptides are peptidergic neurotransmitters, which are produced by neurons. Most neuropeptides where initially discovered in the brain, but later it became clear that a large number of these peptides is also present in secretory vesicles of unmylinated sensory nerve endings of the enteric nervous system. Neuropeptides in enteric nervous system include calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, somatostatin and substance P, gatrin releasing peptide, neurotensin, motiline and galanin. Many of these peptides are also found in enterocytes in the mucosa. These neuropeptides are released from the enterocytes as a paracrine or endocrine substance under the influence enteric nervous system.