title: Cardiorenovascular effects of urotensin II and the relevance of the UT receptor.
abstract: Urotensin II (U-II) is a vasoactive peptide with many potent effects in the cardiorenovascular system. U-II activates a G-protein-coupled receptor termed UT. UT and U-II are highly expressed in the cardiovascular and renal system. Patients with various cardiovascular diseases show high U-II plasma levels. It was demonstrated that elevated U-II plasma levels and increased UT expression seem to play a role in heart failure, end-stage renal disease and atherosclerosis. U-II induces potent changes in vascular tone regulation. In addition, U-II stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Currently several pharmaceutical companies are developing compounds to control the U-II/UT system. There are preclinical and some clinical studies showing potential benefits of inhibiting U-II function in renal disease, heart failure, and diabetes. This article will review both pre- and clinical data concerning cardiorenovascular effects of U-II.
authors.affiliation: Med. Klinik IV-Nephrology, Charite-Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany. Markus.Toelle@charite.de
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tölle
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Giet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011804:Quinolines / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014508:Urea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D014579:Urotensins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011804:Quinolines; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D014579:Urotensins; D014508:Urea; C029677:urotensin II; C493249:1-(2-(4-benzyl-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)ethyl)-3-(2-methylquinolin-4-yl)urea