Ceruletide (Caerulein) is a biologically active decapeptide isolated from the skin of the Australian frog Hyla caerulea. It is a potent cholecystokinetic agent with a direct spasmogenic effect on the gallbladder muscle and bile ducts in humans and

Ceruletide is similar chemically and biologically to the human gastrointestinal hormones cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK) and gastrin II. Ceruletide stimulates gallbladder contraction, pancreatic exocrine secretion, gastric secretion, and motility in the distal duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon, while delaying gastric emptying and inhibiting motility in the proximal duodenum^[1]. NF-kappaB/Rel is rapidly activated during cerulein pancreatitis. This activation may induce a self-defending genetic program before the onset of cellular injury, which might prevent higher degrees of damage of pancreatic acinar cells after secretagogue hyperstimulation^[2].

• [1]. Vincent ME, et al. Pharmacology, clinical uses, and adverse effects of ceruletide, a cholecystokinetic agent. Pharmacotherapy. 1982 Jul-Aug;2(4):223-34.

  [2]. Steinle AU, et al. NF-kappaB/Rel activation in cerulein pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1999 Feb;116(2):420-30.

1352.41

C₅₈H₇₃N₁₃O₂₁S₂

17650-98-5

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere

H₂O: ≥ 100 mg/mL

* "<1 mg/ml"="" means="" slightly="" soluble="" or="" insoluble.="" "≥"="" means="" soluble,="" but="" saturation="">