降钙素基因相关肽(calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP)家族成员主要包括CGRPα、CGRPβ、肾上腺髓质素(adrenomedullin, AM)、降钙素(calcitonin, CT)和胰淀粉样蛋白(amylin, AMY)。CGRP家族成员及其受体广泛分布于哺乳动物中枢和外周神经系统。研究表明,CGRP、AM等CGRP家族成员在伤害性信息传递过程中具有重要作用。在脊髓水平,CGRP促进痛觉信息传递、脊髓阿片耐受、偏头痛、炎性痛和神经病理性痛;在脊髓以上水平,CGRP则抑制痛觉信息的传递。AM是近年来才证实的与疼痛感受有密切关系的神经多肽,在脊髓水平促进痛觉信息的传递,在阿片耐受形成和维持中亦有重要作用。AMY和CT与疼痛的关系尚不十分明确。
The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) family mainly includes CGRPα, CGRPβ, adrenomedullin, calcitonin and amylin. The members of CGRP family and their receptors are widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Studies show that members of CGRP family such as CGRP and adrenomedullin play important roles in the transmission of nociceptive information. At spinal level, CGRP promotes the transmission of nociceptive information, spinal morphine tolerance, migraine, inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. At superspinal level, CGRP suppresses the transmission of nociceptive information. Adrenomedullin is a pain-related neuropeptide which has recently been demonstrated. It facilitates the transmission of nociceptive information and is involved in the development and maintenance of opioid tolerance. The involvement of amylin and calcitonin in pain is not clear yet.