Calcitonin Salmon
(a) Analysis by RP-HPLC.
(b) Analysis by SDS-PAGE.
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Salmon calcitonin is composed of 32 amino acids, with 13 of these differing from human calcitonin. The sequence of salmon calcitonin is as follows:
H-Cys-Ser-Asn-Leu-Ser-Thr-Cys-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Leu-Ser-Gln-Glu-Leu-His-Lys-Leu-Gln-Thr-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Asn-Thr-Gly-Ser-Gly-Thr-Pro-NH2
The cysteine residues at positions 1 and 7 form a disulfide bond, which is crucial for the hormone’s stability and activity .
Salmon calcitonin is significantly more potent than human calcitonin, being approximately 20 times more active and having a longer half-life . This makes it particularly useful in the treatment of several conditions:
- Osteoporosis: Salmon calcitonin is used to inhibit bone resorption, making it an effective treatment for osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women .
- Paget’s Disease: This condition involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth, leading to deformity. Salmon calcitonin helps manage this by inhibiting osteoclastic activity .
- Hypercalcemia: In cases of severe hypercalcemia, salmon calcitonin can quickly reduce serum calcium levels .
Salmon calcitonin is available in several pharmaceutical forms, including injectable preparations for intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous administration. A non-invasive nasal spray formulation, marketed under the name Miacalcin®, was approved by the US FDA in 1975 for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis . The bioavailability of the nasal spray is relatively low, between 3% and 5%, compared to the injectable form .
Salmon calcitonin works by binding to calcitonin receptors on osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. This binding inhibits the activity of osteoclasts, thereby reducing bone resorption and promoting bone formation by osteoblasts . Additionally, it has been shown to have analgesic effects, providing relief from bone pain in some patients .
Research is ongoing to develop more effective and convenient formulations of salmon calcitonin. Oral preparations are currently under clinical trials, with at least one reaching Phase III of clinical approval . These advancements aim to improve patient compliance and expand the therapeutic applications of salmon calcitonin.
