Calcitonin gene-related peptide nasal provocation in humans.

Trigeminal sensory nerves release neurotransmitters such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P, and others in human nasal mucosa. The effects of CGRP on nasal secretion were tested in humans in vivo by applying CGRP directly to nasal mucosa and then lavaging the nostrils ten minutes later. Concentrations of totalprotein, albumin, lysozyme, and orcinol-reactive mucoglycoconjugates were measured in lavage fluid. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (0.1 to 100 μg) did not stimulate secretion of any of these markers indicating that CGRP had no enect on glandular secretion or albumin exudation in vivo. These findings indicate that CGRP did not stimulate glands or endothelial cells of the vessels that regulate plasma extravasation