Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide decreases in chronic congestive heart failure

H Taquet1, M Komajda, O Grenier

  • 1Service de Biochimie Médicale, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.

European Heart Journal
|November 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are significantly lower in patients with heart failure. This finding suggests CGRP plays a role in heart failure development or sympathetic nervous system activity.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Neuroendocrinology

Background:

  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide with known cardiovascular effects.
  • Its specific role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the involvement of CGRP in cardiac failure.
  • To quantify plasma CGRP levels in individuals with and without HF.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for CGRP.
  • Measurement of plasma CGRP concentrations in 37 healthy subjects and 41 patients diagnosed with HF.

Main Results:

  • Mean plasma CGRP levels were significantly reduced in HF patients (121.2 pg.ml-1) compared to normal subjects (294.3 pg.ml-1).
  • A statistically significant decrease in CGRP was observed in the heart failure cohort.

Conclusions:

  • The reduced plasma CGRP levels in heart failure suggest its involvement in the disease's pathogenesis.
  • CGRP may influence heart failure directly or by modulating sympathetic nervous system activity.

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