title: Adrenomedullin: a vasodilator to treat sepsis?
abstract: Adrenomedullin is a vasodilatory polypeptide with pleiotropic effects secreted by various organs. Adrenomedullin is produced first as a prepropeptide, and then cleaved into mature adrenomedullin and mid-regional proadrenomedullin. Whereas levels of the latter have been shown to correlate with severity of sepsis and carry prognostic value, adrenomedullin plays a role in vascular tone homeostasis. In the previous issue of Critical Care, the infusion of exogenous adrenomedullin is suggested to protect against increased lung endothelial permeability and end-organ dysfunction in a model of pneumococcal pneumonia in mechanically ventilated mice, possibly by stabilizing vascular endothelia. Since adrenomedullin is a strong vasodilatory molecule, further studies are needed to evaluate its potential as a future treatment of sepsis.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pugin
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055397:Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D053607:Adrenomedullin