A noncyclical analog of salmon calcitonin (N alpha-propionyl Di-Ala1,7,des-Leu19 sCT) retains full potency without inducing anorexia in rats.

A new analog of salmon calcitonin (N alpha-propionyl Di-Ala1,7,des-Leu19 sCT; RG-12851; here termed CTR), which lacks the ring structure of native calcitonin, was tested for biological activity in several in vitro and in vivo assay systems. The analog (CTR) and salmon calcitonin (sCT) stimulated kidney cell adenylate cyclase activity and inhibited bone resorption in organ cultures of fetal rat long bones with similar potencies and efficacies. Furthermore, CTR and sCT, at similar doses, induced comparable hypocalcemic responses in mice following sc injection or infusions. However, unlike sCT, CTR did not induce anorexia and weight loss in rats following sc injection. These data suggest that the ring structure of sCT may be important for the anorexigenic effect but is not required for effect on bone resorption or calcium homeostasis. Clinical studies appear warranted as, potentially, CTR might induce fewer side effects than does sCT.