The renal urodilatin system: clinical implications.
A renal natriuretic peptide and the 'renal urodilatin system' were identified after the observation that immunoassayable ANP in urine may not be identical to the circulating cardiac hormone ANP, which is a peptide of 28 amino acids. Urodilatin (INN: Ularitide) is a natriuretic peptide isolated from human urine and belongs to the family of A-type natriuretic peptides. Urodilatin is differentially processed to a peptide of 32 amino acids from the same precursor as ANP. It is synthesized in kidney tubular cells and secreted luminally. After secretion from epithelial cells of the distal and/or connecting tubules, Urodilatin interacts downstream at distal segments of the nephron with luminally located receptors whereby it regulates Na(+) and water reabsorption. Thus, the physiological function of the renal Urodilatin system can be described as a paracrine intrarenal regulator for Na(+) and water homeostasis, considering Urodilatin as a real diuretic-natriuretic regulatory peptide. However, the regulation upon which the Urodilatin secretion depends is still not clear. Since Urodilatin has been discovered, a great number of pharmacological and clinical investigations have been carried out using Urodilatin as a drug for several indications. So far, clinical phase I and II studies for acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, and bronchial asthma have been performed.
Forssmann
W
W
IPF PharmaCeuticals GmbH, An-Institute of Hannover Medical School, Feodor Lynen-Strasse 31, D-30 625, Hannover, Germany. wgforssmann@gmx.de
Meyer
M
M
Forssmann
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004231:Diuresis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C056452:Ularitide; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor