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Cardiovascular actions of CRH and urocortin: an update
D G Parkes1, R S Weisinger, C N May
1Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., 9373 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. dparkes@amylin.com
Insights
Urocortin significantly impacts cardiac function through CRH receptors. This review explores the cardiovascular mechanisms of urocortin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Urocortin is a key regulator of cardiac function.
- Its effects are prolonged in experimental models.
- Urocortin acts via corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptors in peripheral tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular actions of urocortin.
- To compare these actions with those of CRH.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on urocortin and CRH.
- Focus on cardiovascular effects and receptor binding.
Main Results:
- Urocortin exhibits diverse actions including cardiovascular regulation.
- Evidence suggests urocortin may mediate effects previously attributed to CRH.
- CRH receptors are implicated in mediating urocortin's peripheral actions.
Conclusions:
- Urocortin plays a significant role in cardiovascular regulation.
- Understanding urocortin's mechanisms is crucial for cardiovascular research.
- Further investigation into urocortin and CRH interactions is warranted.
Abstract:
Urocortin is a potent regulator of cardiac function, with actions that are prolonged in experimental animals. These changes are mediated via binding to CRH receptors found in peripheral tissues. The diversity of actions of urocortin on behaviour, appetite, inflammation and the cardiovascular system suggest that this peptide may be an endogenous factor mediating actions previously attributed to CRH. The present review will focus on the recent understanding of mechanisms mediating the cardiovascular actions of urocortin and CRH reported to date.