Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) causes redistribution of blood flow in humans.
In normal human subjects (n = 6), blood flow in the common carotid artery, assessed with an ultrasonic duplex-scanning unit, was increased up to 152% of basal levels by 60-min infusions of human calcitonin gene-related peptide I (alpha CGRP) 80 pmol.kg-1.h-1, but it was not affected by 20 pmol.kg-1.h-1 CGRP or 88 pmol.kg-1.h-1 human calcitonin. In the superior mesenteric artery, on the other hand, blood flow was reduced by 80 pmol.kg-1.h-1 CGRP to 58% of the basal level, but not by 20 pmol.kg-1.h-1 CGRP or with 88 pmol.kg-1.h-1 calcitonin. Blood flow in the abdominal aorta remained largely unchanged under the same conditions. Skin blood flow, assessed by a laser Doppler unit, was increased up to 682% of the basal level by 80 pmol.kg-1.h-1 CGRP, but not by 20 pmol.kg-1.h-1 CGRP or calcitonin. Thus CGRP increased regional blood flow to the brain and the skin at the expense of the gastrointestinal tract.
Jäger
K
K
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Muench
R
R
Seifert
H
H
Beglinger
C
C
Bollinger
A
A
Fischer
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply
D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide