Urocortin: a beneficial or detrimental agent to endothelium?
As a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, urocortin (UCN) has been demonstrated to show diverse effects on cardiovascular system. It is commonly considered as a protective agent on vascular function. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that some effects of UCN may lead to endothelial dysfunction (ED) which may be the cause or consequence of vascular disease and a hallmark of known cardiovascular risk factors. The present review is then focused on recent evidence that reveals the beneficial and detrimental effects of UCN on endothelium.
Yang
Cui
C
Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, No. 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
Xu
Yinyan
Y
Li
Shengnan
S
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D054832:Urocortins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D054832:Urocortins