ELCATONIN RAISES LEVELS OF VASOACTIVE-INTESTINAL-PEPTIDE IN HUMAN PLASMA

Elcatonin, used for treatment of hypercalcaemia, Paget's disease and o steoporosis, causes flushing of the face and hands. To determine wheth er this was because of increased levels of vasoactive intestinal pepti de, which is known to induce vasodilation, the effect of elcatonin on the plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide was studied in five healthy volunteers. After a single intramuscular administration of el catonin (20 int. units), peak plasma elcatonin levels (approx. 30 pg m L(-1)) were achieved 30 min after injection. Plasma vasoactive intesti nal peptide concentrations rose similarly with peak levels of about 17 pg mL(-1) after 30 min. Side-effects such as cutaneous flushing (most obvious in the face and hands) occurred to an extent dependent on the amount of elcatonin administered, and declined over 45 min in paralle l with the fate of plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide. The side-effe cts of elcatonin, especially cutaneous flushing, seem to be closely co nnected with vasoactive intestinal peptide.