Human calcitonin gene-related peptide possesses weak inhibitory potency of bone resorption in vitro.

Synthetic human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was examined for the action on the bone in vitro. Human CGRP inhibited bone resorption stimulated by both human parathyroid hormone and basal. The mode of inhibitory action of human CGRP seemed to be similar to that of calcitonin and the relative potency of human CGRP to inhibit bone resorption is one five-hundredth of that of human calcitonin. Thus, a novel pharmacological action of CGRP was demonstrated.