Immunohistochemical localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide in thehuman gastric mucosa

Background/Aim: There have been only a few studies on the distribution of c alcitonin gene-related peptide (CG RP) in the human stomach, in which it wa s stated that CG RP fibers are rare in that organ. The aim of the present s tudy was to investigate the immunohistochemical localization of CGRP in the human gastric mucosa obtained by endoscopic biopsy from patients with gast ric ulcers. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was carried out according to the indirect immunoperoxidase method using an anti-human CGRP antibody. Biopsie s were taken from the ulcer margin in 18 patients (age 37-78, average 57.4 years) and from two endoscopically normal portions (antrum and body) in 7 o ther patients (age 36-65, average 51.0 years). One biopsy specimen was obta ined from each portion. Results: Twelve of the eighteen biopsy specimens fr om the ulcer margin, 6 of the 7 biopsy specimens from normal portions of th e antrum and 3 of the 7 biopsy specimens from normal portions of the body s howed CGRP-immunoreactive staining. Intense staining was more marked in the specimens from the ulcer margin compared to those of the normal portions. Conclusions: CGRP immunoreactivity was observed in the human gastric mucosa in considerable abundance, and it is presumed that CGRP might participate in a restoration mechanism of the ulcer.