Abstract
Background Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) influences vasoregulatory activities. We determined the gender-specific effects of CGRP knockout (KO) on creatine kinase (CK) activity following ischemia.
Methods Ninety-six mice were studied in a Langendorff preparation using 50 mm Hg perfusion pressure. Myocardial ischemia was induced by stopping flow to the coronary arteries for 20 minutes. The perfusion buffer was collected from a small chamber that housed the heart. Perfusion buffer was collected over 2 hours and CK activity was measured.
Results CK activity was significantly greater in CGRP-KO mouse hearts compared to wild-type (see graphs). Male CGRP-KO hearts released 1.5 times more CK than female CGRP-KO hearts 15 minutes after ischemia (130.4 vs 90.2 unit/mL, p < .003). Conclusions: CGRP contributes significantly to CK release during ischemia. This effect is more prominent in the male compared to the female mouse heart.