Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a stimulator of renin secretion

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was found to stimulate renin secretion in vivo in normal human volunteers. Moreover, CGRP stimulated the release of renin in vitro from isolated rat renal juxtaglomerular cells (half-maximal effective concentration [EC50] 100 nM) concomitant with stimulation of cAMP production (EC50 60 nM). Immunoreactive CGRP was recognized in rat renal cortical nerve fibers, and intact rat CGRP was identified in extracts of the rat renal cortex. Because CGRP containing sensory nerve fibers are seen in the region of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, it would seem that the release of CGRP from these afferent nerves may be involved in the physiological control of renin secretion.