1. Sensory nerves are important for the initiation of neurogenic inflammation and tissue repair. Both calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nitric oxide (NO) have been implicated in neurogenic vasodilatation and inflammatory responses. 2. A blister model in the rat hind footpad was used as a site to induce neurogenic vasodilatation in response to antidromic electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Blood flux was monitored with a laser Doppler flow monitor. 3. The quantitative contributions of CGRP and NO to vasodilatation were examined by use of the CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP8-37 and NO synthase inhibitors 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), 3-bromo 7-NI and N(G)-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The potential modulatory role of endothelin was examined by use of the ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ-123. 4. CGRP8-37 (10 microM) was perfused over the blister base before nerve stimulation and continuously throughout the post-stimulation period, resulting in a significant reduction (41%) in the blood flux vascular response. 5. Pretreatment with the specific neuronal NO synthase inhibitors, 7-NI and 3-bromo 7-NI (10 mg kg(-1), i.v.), and of the non-specific L-NAME (100 microM), resulted in significant inhibition of the blood flux response (36%, 72% and 57% decrease, respectively). In contrast, 7-NI treatment in young rats pretreated with capsaicin had no further effect on the vascular response, suggesting that the source of NO is the sensory nerves. 6. BQ-123 (10 microM) significantly enhanced the stimulation-induced blood flux response (61% increase). When 7-NI was co-administered with either CGRP8-37 or BQ-123, the drug actions were additive, suggesting that there was no interaction between NO and CGRP or endothelin. 7. These data suggest that both NO and CGRP participate in neurogenic vasodilatation in rat skin microvasculature and that this response is modulated by endogenous endothelin.