Cardiovascular effects of human and rat CGRP compared in the rat and other species.

In the anaesthetised rat, human and rat CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) which differ by 4 out of 37 amino acids, when given intravenously, lowered blood pressure and increased heart rate. The effects of human CGRP were unaltered by either propranolol or by mepyramine plus cimetidine. In the rat isolated perfused heart the peptides decreased coronary perfusion pressure and evoked a tachycardia. The latter effect was not seen in the rabbit isolated heart, although human CGRP increased coronary flow. The two peptides were equipotent at increasing the rate and force of contraction in the rat isolated right atrium, effects unaltered by propranolol. In the guinea-pig isolated atrium, rat CGRP was 10 times as potent as a chronotropic agent than as an inotrope, unlike human CGRP which was equipotent. In conclusion, human and rat CGRP probably acted directly on the cardiovascular system to produce their qualitatively similar effects.