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Updated: Jul 28, 2025

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Urocortin 2 - a protective effect in hypertension?

A Dzieza-Grudnik¹, O Siga¹, J Walczewska²

¹Jagiellonian University Medical College, Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Cracow, Poland.

Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology : an Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society

|May 28, 2023

Summary

Higher urocortin 2 (Ucn2) levels are linked to lower blood pressure and better cholesterol in healthy individuals, suggesting a role in cardiovascular health. Ucn2 may offer cardioprotective benefits.

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Last Updated: Jul 28, 2025

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Published on: October 26, 2020

Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli

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Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion

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Published on: May 26, 2022

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Physiology
Endocrinology
Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

Urocortin 2 (Ucn2), a selective ligand for the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 2, is implicated in cardioprotection.
The relationship between Ucn2 levels and cardiovascular risk factors in untreated hypertension requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between Ucn2 levels and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naive hypertension and healthy controls.
To determine if Ucn2 levels correlate with blood pressure, lipid profiles, and metabolic indices.

Main Methods:

Sixty-seven subjects (38 hypertensive, 29 healthy) underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and metabolic assessments.
Ucn2 levels were measured and analyzed in relation to blood pressure, cholesterol, LDL, BMI, waist-hip ratio, and glucose metabolism parameters.
Multivariable regression analyses were employed to assess the influence of gender, age, and Ucn2 levels.

Main Results:

Ucn2 levels were significantly higher in healthy subjects compared to hypertensive patients (p<.05).
Ucn2 levels showed an inverse correlation with 24-hour diastolic blood pressure and night-time systolic/diastolic blood pressure.
Ucn2 levels were inversely associated with total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in healthy subjects, and independently related to total cholesterol overall.

Conclusions:

Higher urocortin 2 levels are associated with more favorable lipid profiles and lower blood pressure.
Ucn2 may play a role in regulating blood pressure and lipid metabolism, potentially contributing to cardiovascular protection.