title: Human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide-(8-37) as an antagonist of exogenous and endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide.
abstract: The C-terminal fragment of the human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP), hCGRP-(8-37) competitively antagonized both the positive inotropic effect of hCGRP in the guinea-pig isolated left atria (pA2 6.89) and the smooth muscle relaxant effect of hCGRP in the rat isolated vas deferens (pA2 6.55) but left the response to isoprenaline unaffected in both preparations. In addition, hCGRP-(8-37) reduced the responses produced by activation of the 'efferent' function of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents in both preparations thus providing pharmacological evidence for the involvement of endogenous CGRP. hCGRP-(8-37) appears a useful tool to establish the physiological role of CGRP in peripheral preparations from different species.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, A. Menarini Pharmaceuticals, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giuliani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects; D009476:Neurons, Efferent / Q000187:drug effects; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C058636:calcitonin gene-related peptide (8-37); D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D007545:Isoproterenol; D002211:Capsaicin