Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in patients with various hypertensive diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the pathophysiological role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in hypertensive diseases.

METHOD: Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay established in our laboratory, plasma CGRP levels were evaluated in control subjects and in patients with essential hypertension, phaeochromocytoma or primary aldosteronism.

RESULTS

The CGRP levels in the three hypertensive groups were significantly higher than in normal controls, but no statistically significant difference was observed among CGRP levels in the three hypertensive groups. In the three cases of secondary hypertensives (one patient with phaeochromocytoma and two with primary aldosteronism), a significant decrease in plasma CGRP levels and a marked reduction in blood pressure were observed after adrenalectomy.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that increased plasma CGRP levels in hypertensive patients could be a compensatory reaction to elevated blood pressure.