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Abstract
Radioimmunoassay, chromatography and immunocytochemistry were used to study the occurrence
of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the brain and gastrointestinal tract of the
rat. In the brain, the highest concentrations of the peptide were found in the medulla
oblongata (58.3 +/- 6.8 pmol/g) where immunocytochemistry showed the presence of immunoreactive
cell bodies. Significant concentrations were also found in the pancreas and throughout
the gastrointestinal tract, the highest levels occurring in the pyloric sphincter
(48.0 +/- 6.0 pmol/g). CGRP-like immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract was
restricted to nerve fibers. Chromatographic analysis of the CGRP-like immunoreactivity
occurring in these tissues showed that at least 70% was indistinguishable from the
synthetic peptide. However, there was also evidence of a number of smaller cross-reacting
molecular species.