Myocardial perfusion recovery induced by an α-calcitonin gene-related peptide analogue

J Nucl Cardiol. 2022 Oct;29(5):2090-2099. doi: 10.1007/s12350-021-02678-8. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Abstract

Background: Endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induces cardioprotective effects through coronary vasodilation. However, the systemic administration of CGRP induces peripheral vasodilation and positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. This study aims to examine the net effect on coronary perfusion of the systemically administered α-calcitonin gene-related peptide analogue, SAX, in rats during myocardial infarction.

Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats underwent myocardial infarction. Following left anterior descending artery occlusion, [99mTc]Tc-sestamibi was administered to determine the myocardial perfusion before treatment. Twenty minutes, 24 and 48 h after [99mTc]Tc-sestamibi injection, the rats were treated with either SAX or placebo. Final infarct size was determined three weeks later by [99mTc]Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT scan.

Results: Thirty-one rats survived the surgery and 20 completed the follow-up SPECT/CT scan (SAX n = 12; Placebo n = 8). At baseline, there was no difference in size of perfusion defect between the groups (P = .88), but at follow-up the SAX group had improved myocardial recovery compared to the placebo group (P = .04), corresponding to a relative perfusion recovery of 55% in SAX-treated rats.

Conclusion: The CGRP analogue, SAX, has a cardioprotective effect in this rat model of myocardial infarction, improving myocardial perfusion recovery after chronic occlusion of the coronary artery.

Keywords: MPI; Myocardial ischemia and infarction; Physiology of myocardial/coronary perfusion; SPECT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Myocardial Infarction* / diagnostic imaging
  • Perfusion
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide