The identification of the role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the regulation of the vascular tone caused a partial integration of the Neurogenic and Metabolic theories of this regulation. A similar significant role was played by the establishment of a Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) role in the contractile activity of the smooth muscle cells in a number of organs. Based on the own in-vitro experimental studies, the possible interactions of these two factors in regulation of microcirculation in the tissues of the oral cavity (in the bed of rabbit lingual artery) are described in this paper.

Keywords : NO, CGRP, DMSO, microcirculation, lingual artery, vascular contractility, free oxygen radicals, rabbit.