Evidence for a direct anti-inflammatory action of calcitonin: inhibition of histamine-induced mouse pinnal oedema by porcine calcitonin

Porcine calcitonin (PCT) caused a potent inhibition of histamine-induced vascular leakage in the mouse pinna. These effects were observed at doses of PCT lower than those required to affect plasma calcium concentrations. In contrast PCT did not inhibit responses of the mouse pinna to 5-hydroxytryptamine despite observed falls in plasma calcium concentrations. It would appear that PCT inhibits histamine-induced oedema in the mouse by a direct action which may partially or fully explain the anti-inflammatory action of PCT, observed by other workers, in some acute inflammatory conditions.