The vasoactive potential of kisspeptin-10 in the peripheral vasculature.

Sawyer I, Smillie SJ, Bodkin JV, Fernandes E, O'Byrne KT, Brain SD

PloS one9 Feb 2011Cited by 39 (Europe PMC)

PMID21347414PMCIDPMC3036649DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0014671PepBankPUB-21347414

Summary

Splice products of the Kiss1 protein (kisspeptins) have been shown to be involved in a diverse range of functions, including puberty, metastasis and vasoconstriction in large human arteries. Circulating Kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10) plasma levels are low in normal individuals but are elevated during various disease states as well as pregnancy. Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature. Kp-10 caused a dose-dependent increase in oedema formation (0.3-10 nmol/injection site), assessed by Evans Blue albumin dye extravasation, in the dorsal skin of CD1 mice. Oedema formation was shown to be inhibited by the histamine H(1) receptor antagonist mepyramine. The response was characterised by a ring of pallor at the injection site in keeping with vasoconstrictor activity. Therefore, changes in dorsal skin blood flow were assessed by clearance of intradermally injected (99m)technetium. Kp-10 was found to significantly reduce clearance, in keeping with decreased blood flow and providing further evidence for vasoconstrictor activity. The decreased clearance was partially inhibited by co-treatment with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Finally evidence for the kisspeptin receptor gene (Kiss1R), but not the kisspeptin peptide gene (Kiss1), mRNA expression was observed in heart, aorta and kidney samples from normal and angiotensin II induced hypertensive mice, with similar mRNA levels observed in each. We have evidence for two peripheral vasoactive roles for kisspeptin-10. Firstly, plasma extravasation indicative of ability to induce oedema formation and secondly decreased peripheral blood flow, indicating microvascular constriction. Thus Kp-10 has vasoactive properties in the peripheral microvasculature.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In CD1 mice, kisspeptin‑10 caused a dose-dependent increase in oedema formation in dorsal skin.
In plain wordsIn mice, kisspeptin‑10 caused skin swelling that grew with the dose.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
IncreaseOedema formation in dorsal skin (Evans Blue extravasation)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
0.3-10 nmol/injection siteAs given in this study (mouse).
Source sentences
Summary
Kp-10 caused a dose-dependent increase in oedema formation (0.3-10 nmol/injection site), assessed by Evans Blue albumin dye extravasation, in the dorsal skin of CD1 mice.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741401
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice, kisspeptin‑10 significantly reduced clearance of intradermally injected technetium, consistent with decreased skin blood flow.
In plain wordsIn mice, kisspeptin‑10 lowered blood flow in the skin.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
DecreaseDorsal skin blood flow (clearance of 99mTc)
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Kp-10 was found to significantly reduce clearance, in keeping with decreased blood flow and providing further evidence for vasoconstrictor activity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741403

Natural levels measured1

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

03AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In normal and angiotensin II hypertensive mice, Kiss1 mRNA (the kisspeptin gene) was not observed in heart, aorta or kidney samples.
In plain wordsIn mice, the gene for the body's own kisspeptin was not detected in heart, aorta or kidney samples.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
Not applicableKiss1 (kisspeptin gene) mRNA in heart, aorta and kidney
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Finally evidence for the kisspeptin receptor gene (Kiss1R), but not the kisspeptin peptide gene (Kiss1), mRNA expression was observed in heart, aorta and kidney samples from normal and angiotensin II induced hypertensive mice, with similar mRNA levels observed in each.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
This result measures the body's own Kisspeptin-10. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741405

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.

04AnimalNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice, the histamine H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine inhibited oedema formation that kisspeptin‑10 caused.
In plain wordsIn mice, the drug mepyramine reduced the skin swelling that kisspeptin‑10 caused.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
DecreaseKisspeptin-10-induced oedema with histamine H1 antagonist mepyramine
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Oedema formation was shown to be inhibited by the histamine H(1) receptor antagonist mepyramine.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741402
05AnimalNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In mice, the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin partially inhibited the kisspeptin‑10-induced decrease in clearance.
In plain wordsIn mice, the drug indomethacin partly blocked the fall in skin blood flow that kisspeptin‑10 caused.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
DecreaseKisspeptin-10-induced decrease in clearance with indomethacin
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
The decreased clearance was partially inhibited by co-treatment with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741404
06AnimalNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In normal and angiotensin II hypertensive mice, Kiss1R mRNA was expressed in heart, aorta and kidney samples.
In plain wordsIn mice, the gene for the kisspeptin receptor was active in heart, aorta and kidney samples.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
Not applicableKiss1R (receptor gene) mRNA in heart, aorta and kidney
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Finally evidence for the kisspeptin receptor gene (Kiss1R), but not the kisspeptin peptide gene (Kiss1), mRNA expression was observed in heart, aorta and kidney samples from normal and angiotensin II induced hypertensive mice, with similar mRNA levels observed in each.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741406
07AnimalNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Other
Kiss1R mRNA levels were similar in normal and angiotensin II hypertensive mice.
In plain wordsIn mice, kisspeptin receptor gene activity was similar in normal mice and in mice with high blood pressure.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
No significant changeKiss1R mRNA, hypertensive versus normal mice
Study
mousen: not reported in source
CD1 mice
Comparator
Normal mice
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Finally evidence for the kisspeptin receptor gene (Kiss1R), but not the kisspeptin peptide gene (Kiss1), mRNA expression was observed in heart, aorta and kidney samples from normal and angiotensin II induced hypertensive mice, with similar mRNA levels observed in each.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we investigated the potential of Kp-10, the shortest biologically active kisspeptin, to influence microvascular effects, concentrating on the cutaneous vasculature.
In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2134741407

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

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Version 2Current
10 Oct 2026, 09:43 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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