Antiulcer effects of amylin: a review.

Amylin belongs to the calcitonin peptide family. Amylin is a peptide synthesized not only in the beta cells of pancreatic islets, but in small quantities also in other organs like in the intestinal and gastric mucosa, lungs and central nervous system. It is located in the same secretory granules as insulin. Amylin participates in the maintenance of glucose and calcium homeostasis. It also inhibits food intake and decreases body weight. Furthermore, amylin inhibits gastric acid secretion. It protects the gastric mucosa in ulcer models like stress, vagal stimulation, ethanol, acetic acid, reserpine and serotonine administration and pylorus ligation. This protective antiulcer is seen not only at pharmacological but also at near-physiological doses-0.5mkg/kg. Moreover amylin also exerts curative properties in the acetic acid and indomethacin ulcer models. Amylin decreases the aggressive factors like acid-pepsin secretion, increases mast cell stability and increases protective mechanisms like bicarbonate gastric secretion, dilates blood vessels, and it increases lymphatic mesenteric activity. Amylin seems to be a powerful protector of gastric mucosa in animals by increasing the stability of gastric mucosa. Further research remains, however, to be done.