Summary
The effect of ceruletide® (CRL), a synthetic decapeptide analogue of cholecystokinin, on rest pain and arterial blood flow was evaluated in 8 patients with advanced, occlusive atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. CRL 1, 2, or 4 ng kg−1 or placebo were infused intravenously in random order, and in a double-blind fashion. Pain relief, assessed by a scoring system, was significantly better (p<0.01) following the 2 and 4 ng kg−1 doses of CRL (2.71 and 2.66, respectively) than following placebo (0.75). Arterial blood flow was not affected by either CRL in any dose or by placebo. Pretreatment with naloxone, a pure opioid antagonist, abolished the analgesic effect of CRL. Following the 2 ng dose of CRL, β-endorphin levels were significantly elevated from a basal value of 125±15 pg/ml to 191±35 pg/ml 5 h after CRL administration (p<0.05). Circulating levels of ACTH, prolactin and GH were not affected by CRL. It is concluded that CRL was effective in relieving ischaemic rest pain, and that the mechanism was related to the release of endogenous opioids.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anastasi A, Erspamer V, Endean R (1967) Isolation and structure of Caerulein, an active endecapeptide from the skin of Hyla Caerulea. Experientia 23:699–700
Bernardi L, Bosisio G, De castiglione R, Goffredo O (1967) Synthesis of Caerulein. Experientia 23:700–701
Agosti A, Zanetti G (1968) Azione colecistocinetica delle ceruleine nel cane. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 45:297–300
Agosti A, Mantovani P, Mori L (1971) Action of Caerulein and related substances on the sphincter of Oddi. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 268:114–118
Santamaria A, Lucani G, Montorsi W, Praga C (1979) Action de la cerulein sur la colique hépatique. Nouv Presse Med 8:2482
Basso N, Materia A, Fiocca F, Bagarani M, Quondamcarlo C, Speranza V (1979) Trattamento della colica biliare con Ceruletide. Studio controllato. Arch Atti Soc It Chir 2
Basso N, Materia A, Fiocca F, Percoco M, Bagarani M, Lezoche E, Speranza V (1981) Behandlung der Gallenkolik mit Ceruletide. Eine kontrollierte Studie. Therapiewoche 31:2784–2786
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Basso, N., Pona, V., Dintinosante, V. et al. Effect of ceruletide on rest pain in patients with arterial insufficiency of the lower extremity. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 22, 531–533 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609626
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609626