Abstract
Urotensin II is the most potent vasoconstrictor known. Paradoxically, urotensin II also possesses vasodilator activity in certain vascular beds. While much is still to be learnt regarding urotensin IIs actions on vascular tone, it is now clear that it mediates its effects by interacting with a specific G-protein-coupled receptor. The presence of urotensin II and its receptor in both vertebrate and invertebrate species suggests an evolutionarily conserved role in normal physiology although evidence is mounting for both species-specific as well as disease-specific effects of this peptide. This somatostatin- like peptide was originally thought to reside solely in compartments of the central nervous system. However, recent evidence implicated urotensin II in the pathogenesis of a variety of disease processes ranging from hypertension to hepatic cirrhosis. Increased expression of this peptide has been noted in cardiac, renal and hepatic disease. While the contribution of urotensin II to these diseases remains unclear, the advent of urotensin II antagonists allows for not only the possibility of a new range of therapeutic drugs but also new avenues of investigation and further mechanistic insights into the pathophysiology of these disease processes.
Keywords: neurosecretory system, urophysis, chromosome, vasoconstriction, somatostatin receptor, cardiac failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, angiotensin II
Current Vascular Pharmacology
Title: Urotensin II: A Vascular Mediator in Health and Disease
Volume: 3 Issue: 2
Author(s): William Kemp, Stuart Roberts and Henry Krum
Affiliation:
Keywords: neurosecretory system, urophysis, chromosome, vasoconstriction, somatostatin receptor, cardiac failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, angiotensin II
Abstract: Urotensin II is the most potent vasoconstrictor known. Paradoxically, urotensin II also possesses vasodilator activity in certain vascular beds. While much is still to be learnt regarding urotensin IIs actions on vascular tone, it is now clear that it mediates its effects by interacting with a specific G-protein-coupled receptor. The presence of urotensin II and its receptor in both vertebrate and invertebrate species suggests an evolutionarily conserved role in normal physiology although evidence is mounting for both species-specific as well as disease-specific effects of this peptide. This somatostatin- like peptide was originally thought to reside solely in compartments of the central nervous system. However, recent evidence implicated urotensin II in the pathogenesis of a variety of disease processes ranging from hypertension to hepatic cirrhosis. Increased expression of this peptide has been noted in cardiac, renal and hepatic disease. While the contribution of urotensin II to these diseases remains unclear, the advent of urotensin II antagonists allows for not only the possibility of a new range of therapeutic drugs but also new avenues of investigation and further mechanistic insights into the pathophysiology of these disease processes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kemp William, Roberts Stuart and Krum Henry, Urotensin II: A Vascular Mediator in Health and Disease, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2005; 3 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161053586930
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161053586930 |
Print ISSN 1570-1611 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6212 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Ischemic Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Therapy
Ischemic cardiovascular disease includes myocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, angina pectoris, etc., constitute the leading cause of patient mortality by preventing tissues from getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Ischemic heart disease, as a clinical condition, is characterized by myocardial ischemia, causing an imbalance between myocardial blood supply and demand, ...read more
TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN CHRONIC AND END STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease still remains the leading cause of death in Chronic and End Stage Kidney Disease, accounting for more than half of all deaths in dialysis patients. During the past decade, research has been focused on novel therapeutic agents that might delay or even reverse cardiovascular disease and vascular calcification, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Optimization of Cardiac Metabolism in Diabetes Mellitus
Current Pharmaceutical Design Interrupting the Natural History of Diabetes Mellitus: Lifestyle, Pharmacological and Surgical Strategies Targeting Disease Progression
Current Vascular Pharmacology Mechanism-Based Inactivation of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes: Chemical Mechanisms, Structure-Activity Relationships and Relationship to Clinical Drug-Drug Interactions and Idiosyncratic Adverse Drug Reactions
Current Drug Metabolism Gallic Acid Attenuates Oleic Acid-induced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Through Regulation of AMPK-eNOS-FAS Signaling
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Comparative Literature Review Exploring Hypertension Drugs that Lower Target Organ Damage Above and Beyond Reducing Blood Pressure Based on Research Studies Between 1992 and 2006
Current Hypertension Reviews An Update on Developments in Female Hormonal Contraception
Current Women`s Health Reviews Novel Aspects in the Pathophysiology of Peripheral Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis
Current Rheumatology Reviews Structure Based Drug Design of Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Misoprostol-induced Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Premenopausal Woman: A Case Report with Literature Review
Current Drug Safety Comparative Effect of Telmisartan vs Lisinopril on Blood Pressure in Patients of Metabolic Syndrome
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Comparison of Changes in Cognitive Functions of Post-stroke Patients with the Computer-based Cognitive Intervention (PABLO System) and Conventional Cognitive Intervention (Paper-pencil Method)
Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews Hypertension in Obesity: Novel Insights
Current Hypertension Reviews Neuroimmune Aspects of Sjogren`s Syndrome: Role of VIP/VPAC System in Immune and Salivary Gland Epithelial Cell Function
Current Pharmaceutical Design Medical Therapy for Long QT Syndrome
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Migraine: Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Treatment and Future Trends
Current Vascular Pharmacology Can We Move Forward After ADVANCE?
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Pericytes Within A Pulmonary Neurovascular Unit in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Elicited Pathological Changes
Current Neurovascular Research Histamine H3 Antagonists as Wake-Promoting and Pro-Cognitive Agents
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Prevalence of Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome and Its Cardiovascular Complications
Current Hypertension Reviews Non-peptide Antagonists and Agonists of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor
Current Medicinal Chemistry