Calcitonin gene-related peptide regulates amino acid absorption across rat jejunum

The calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) is widely distributed in the enteric nervous system and gut afferents. Its role in normal digestion and absorption is not characterised. This study is conducted to elucidate whether CGRP regulates amino acid absorption in the small intestine. In in vivo experiments using the single-pass perfusion technique, intravenous infusion of CGRP (250–750 pmol/kg-min) reduced alanine absorption by 35–40%. The effects were completely blocked by the antagonist hCGRP (8–37). Moreover, intravenous infusion of CGRP antagonist blocked the inhibitory effect of intraluminal capsaicin perfusion on alanine absorption. Similarly, intracerebral injection of CGRP decreased alanine absorption, an effect which was reduced by vagotomy. In vitro experiments using isolated jejunal strips showed that CGRP reduced alanine absorption in a dose-dependent manner. At 6 pM, CGRP decreased alanine absorption by 33%. Similarly, CGRP reduced the absorption of proline and taurine by 20 and 11.5%, respectively. Kinetic studies revealed that CGRP reduces alanine influx into intestinal epithelial cells by inhibiting the affinity of the carriers. It is demonstrated that CGRP is involved in the regulation of jejunal amino acid absorption through intrinsic (enteric) and extrinsic (central) neural mechanisms.