Endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide suppresses ischemic brain injuries and progression of cognitive decline.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid peptide and produced by alternative splicing of the transcript of the calcitonin/CGRP gene. Originally identified as a strong vasodilatory and hypotensive peptide, CGRP is now known to be a pleiotropic molecule distributed in various organs, including the brain.

Method: In this study, we used CGRP knockout mice (CGRP-/-) to examine the actions of endogenous CGRP during cerebral ischemia.

Vasoprotective Activities of the Adrenomedullin-RAMP2 System in Endothelial Cells.

Neointimal hyperplasia is the primary lesion underlying atherosclerosis and restenosis after coronary intervention. We previously described the essential angiogenic function of the adrenomedullin (AM)-receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) 2 system. In the present study, we assessed the vasoprotective actions of the endogenous AM-RAMP2 system using a wire-induced vascular injury model.

Endogenous Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Regulates Lipid Metabolism and Energy Homeostasis in Male Mice.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a bioactive peptide produced by alternative splicing of the primary transcript of the calcitonin/CGRP gene. CGRP is largely distributed in the cardiovascular and nervous systems, where it acts as a regulatory factor. CGRP is also expressed in organs and tissues involved in metabolic regulation, including white adipose tissue (WAT), where its function is largely unknown.

Adrenomedullin Suppresses Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Vascular Hyperpermeability and Inflammation in Retinopathy.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is caused by blood-retinal barrier breakdown associated with retinal vascular hyperpermeability and inflammation, and it is the major cause of visual dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy. Adrenomedullin (ADM) is an endogenous peptide first identified as a strong vasodilator. ADM is expressed in the eyes and is up-regulated in various eye diseases, although the pathophysiological significance is largely unknown.

Royal jelly improves hyperglycemia in obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice.

The study examined whether royal jelly (RJ) can prevent obesity and ameliorate hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. This study utilized obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice. RJ (10 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage.