The carboxamide feG(NH2) inhibits endotoxin perturbation of intestinal motility

The submandibular gland rat-1 (SMR1) salivary gland prohormone contains sev eral peptides, submandibular gland peptide-T (SGP-T) and the tripeptide, FE G, which possess anti-inflammatory activities. The D-isomeric form of FEG, feG, also is a potent anti-inflammatory peptide. In this study, we compared the inhibitory activity of feG and its carboxamide derivative, feG(NH2), o n the perturbations of intestinal motility induced by intravenous lipopolys accharide. feG(NH2) was 20-30 times more potent than feG in reducing the mo tility disturbances induced by lipopolysaccharide. feG may undergo square - amidation to yield a hormone that strongly down-regulates intestinal respon siveness to endotoxin. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.