ATC code V04CG04 (WHO) CAS Number 5534-95-2 IUPHAR/BPS 870 CAS ID 5534-95-2 | Biological half-life 10 minutes or less PubChem CID 9853654 Molar mass 767.893 g/mol | |
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Pentagastrin (trade name Peptavlon) is a synthetic polypeptide that has effects like gastrin when given parenterally. It stimulates the secretion of gastric acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor, and has been used as a diagnostic aid as the pentagastrin-stimulated calcitonin test.
Pentagastrin binds to the cholecystokinin-B receptor, which is expressed widely in the brain. Activation of these receptors activates the phospholipase C second messenger system. When given intravenously it may cause panic attacks.
Pentagastrin's IUPAC chemical name is "N-((1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl)-beta-alanyl-L-tryptophyl-L-methionyl-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalaninamide".
Pentagastrin stimulation test
Pentagastrin is also used as a stimulation test to elevate of several hormones, such as serotonin. It provokes flushing and is useful in evaluating patients who describe flushing, but have normal or only marginally elevated biochemical markers for carcinoid syndrome.
It has been used to stimulate ectopic gastric mucosa for the detection of Meckels diverticulum by nuclear medicine.
It is used to stimulate calcitonin release from residual parafollicular cell C-cells after total thyroidectomy for medullary thyroid carcinoma.