Application
Ceruletide is a decapeptide and a potent
cholecystokinin receptor
agonist. Ceruletide is a safe and effective cholecystokinetic agent with a direct spasmogenic effect on the gallbladder muscle and bile ducts
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]
. Ceruletide in supramaximal but not in physiological doses activates NF-kappaB/Rel in vitro. This activation may induce a self-defending genetic program before the onset of cellular injury, which may prevent higher degrees of damage of pancreatic acinar cells after secretagogue hyperstimulation